abin design studio clads newtown school with alphabetical paneling

abin design studio clads newtown school with alphabetical paneling
images courtesy of ravi kanade, abin design studio

india-based abin design studio was asked to complete the ‘newtown school’ when construction was already underway. two generic academic blocks were partially built, each composed of six floors of as-of-yet undefined classrooms, labs, and other facilities. the received brief was to develop a school within the existing parameters, and design a program that defines circulation, ventilation, and other educational concerns. 

the ‘newtown school’ at dusk 

the ‘newtown school’ is located in the city of kolkata, in india’s west bengal state. its surrounded by simple structures, and until abin’s intervention, was quickly on its way to become another set of bland cubs in the otherwise unmemorable landscape. the first step was to create an identity for the school, and unify the two separate buildings visually.

13 different patterns make up the 488 tiles of the paneled façade

abin’s approach was to create a graphical screen of symbols, alphabets, and numbers, and plaster it across the entirety of the school. in total, there is 488 panels — made of fibre-reinforced plastic — that measure 3.2×3.2 meters each. 13 various compositions were produced, and are placed in various orientations to produce a randomized effect on the façade. in addition to the feature’s aesthetic importance, it also provides shade from the typically harsh sun.

each panel weighs 70kg 

the building’s interior design began ambitiously, but was quickly weighed down with cost, maintenance, and other restrictions. as a whole, it maintains a neutral existence, with burst of color occurring occasionally throughout. the most interesting space is the cafeteria. furnishings and flooring were kept simple, but the ceiling was filled with a wave-like pattern of brightly painted acrylic tubes of varying lengths and hues.

the screen was distanced from the true wall for better shading and shadow effect

each structure also possesses an identically-sized courtyard. between the blocks, abin installed a full-size basketball court, with empty space on the periphery for other activities. the other, which is pushed to the outside edge of the layout, hosts a swimming pool.

basketball court between two blocks 

in an attempt to use design as means of adding to the learning curriculum, other elements were added as well. trees of various species, as well as a small pond, bird bath, and green energy infrastructure (solar, wind power) form a curious amalgamation of sights, smells, and sounds. each block is delineated by age, with young students in one, and older students in the other.

cafeteria 

seminar hall with minimal repetition of exterior details  

reception area overlooking courtyard 

library 

project info:

location: kolkata, west bengal
land area: 2 acres
built-up area: 15,000m²
completion year: april 2015
client: savitri educational foundation
architecture and design: abin design studio
architect on record: SBA spectra consultants
structural consultant: SPA consultants
interior furniture coordinator: beautiful living
façade fabricators/consultants: annex design pvt. ltd.
signage fabricator: ins & out
materials used: fibre reinforced polypropylene, mild steel
team: abin chaudhuri, paromita chatterjee, poorvi dugar ajmera
photography: ravi kanade, abin design studio

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: nick brink | designboom