Ashish Dalal ( India )
Pratibha Christy ( India )
In a country like India with large population and rich cultural heritage, how does one picture a School where this co existence and diversity permeates into a way of life ?
This constant question is what slowly started to take form into a design proposal. Looking back, ancient educational system in India included spaces for active public interaction leading to layers of interconnected gain which in-turn formed a sense of ownership within the community. It incorporated spaces such as open arenas, cultivation lands and collaborative workshops that could be utilised for the needs of the immediate community around the GURUKUL.
Design proposal
Taking advantage of the given site the blocks are planned along an east west axis with maximum light gain from north and east facades. As explained in the design development diagraming, the open spaces between alternate room are designed for practice of raised cultivation and urban farming while also serving as outdoor learning and gathering areas. The produce from this practice would be utilised for school needs and further for fresh Vegetable store that helps schools produce revenue while promoting learning and engagement within the neighbourhood. The architecture of the school acts as an active tool that extends to work directly with the community to build essential live skills drawing inspiration from sustainable essential lessons of ancient India. Use of local material techniques such as Earth wall construction and reviving Ahar-Pyne system (water harvesting systems of Bihar) acts as a structural ideological base to the design.
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