School in Banglore

Location: Bangalore, India

The school complex consisted of a three-storied building and an already erected network of columns and beams. They needed a kindergarten section and an auditorium within the incomplete structure, with a floor for the high school section above.

We began by opening up the roof at the intersection of the school building and the incomplete structure to serve as a light well, a ventilation shaft, and a greenspace – that would be shared by all. The indoor garden on the first floor became an interesting tool to introduce gardening to children.

The auditorium had to be a multi-purpose hall, with functions that needed varied amounts of light. For this, we lined it with a double skin. The double skin was punctuated by a series of staggered slits which allowed indirect sunlight in. It was an exercise of subtraction of light until an optimum level is achieved. The auditorium is not air-conditioned. So with the windows closed, the slits act as air vents, also making it a well-lit hall when open.

The high school section was added above this configuration with a sloping RCC roof and a skylight at the uppermost level in line with the cutouts created below. Vents at the highest point create a mild draft through the light well.