GB SCHOOL

 GB SCHOOL

SCHOOL: MELMARUVATHUR, TAMIL NADU

ARCHITECTS: MURALI ARCHITECTS, CHENNAI

COMPLETED YEAR: 2021

BUILT-UP AREA: 1,50,000 SQFT.

STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT: SHAKTI CONSULTANCY

ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT: SUMANAM ENGINEERING

PLUMBING CONSULTANT: KAMATCHI CONSULTANCY

ENERGY CONSULTANT: SRIRAM

LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT: PLANTSCAPE 

Introduction: Located in Melmaruvathur, Tamil Nadu our school design departs from conventional paradigms by adopting a child-centric perspective. Embracing the challenge of accommodating students across various age groups, from kindergarten to secondary, every detail has been meticulously curated to foster an environment of holistic learning and exploration.

Entrance Ambience: Upon approaching the entrance of the school, greeted by visitors are striking elliptical massing, crafted to captivate attention, and set the tone for a unique educational experience. The entrance, akin to an amicable handshake, extends a warm invitation, alleviating any apprehension and fostering a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere conducive to learning and social interaction. A pleasant ambiance at the entrance encourages early arrivals, facilitating peer interaction and fostering a positive mindset for the day ahead.

This architectural marvel is composed of a series of intriguing floor levels, ingeniously supported by rounded columns. These columns not only provide structural support but also aim to optimize spatial utilization, showcasing an intricate sense of design mastery. The student entrance, sheltered by a towering column and a 40ft slab, offers a semi-formal enclosure that simultaneously conveys a sense of freedom. Adjacent to this entrance, a meticulously patterned wall, adorned with vibrant hues of red, serves as a visual focal point, exuding energy, and excitement.

Curvilinear architecture: Our design embraces curves to evoke a sense of boundless potential for the students. This thoughtful design strategy aims to dispel common stigmas associated with educational institutions. It liberates students from the confines of conventional layouts, promoting freedom and creativity. By eschewing strict confinement, we encourage students to embrace exploration and innovation, paving the way for limitless possibilities.

Integration of Reading Spaces: Innovative Architectural Features at the School Entrance: One of the most notable features of the school's design is the seamless integration of reading spaces. Unlike traditional libraries enclosed by walls, these reading areas are open to a double-height, open-to-sky court. This innovative design not only facilitates excellent ventilation but also imbues the reading experience with a sense of tranquilly and connection to nature. 

Multi-Level Reading Sanctuaries: At the ground level, one encounters the primary reading sanctuary, adorned with an exposed roof slab that enhances the sense of spaciousness and openness. A captivating, undulated staircase gracefully ascends from this space to an immediate mezzanine level, extending further to yet another level of enchanting reading sanctuaries. This thoughtful arrangement encourages exploration and provides students with a diverse array of environments tailored to their individual preferences and needs.

Cheerful and Serene Atmosphere: This deliberate design choice aims to eliminate the perceived monotony associated with traditional spaces, offering students a cheerful and serene reading experience that sparks creativity and intellectual engagement.

In essence, the school's innovative architectural features not only elevate the physical space but also enhance the overall educational journey, fostering a sense of wonder, exploration, and inspiration among students and visitors alike

The corridors within this architectural marvel do not merely serve as pathways; they transcend into dynamic spaces that open to the courtyard, creating expansive aisles that foster vibrant interactions among students on the move. Waffle slabs, seamlessly integrated throughout the structure, not only minimize the need for columns but also lend an aesthetic appeal to the environment, captivating the eye with their intricate patterns.

The rustic charm of the filler slabs, adorned with clay pots, not only adds to the visual appeal but also serves practical purposes by reducing concrete usage and dead weight. 

A spiral ramp, gracefully encircling the courtyard near the kindergarten area, appears to float as it descends from the first level to the ground, seamlessly integrating with the space and doubling as a play area for children. This ingenious design element not only facilitates circulation but also infuses the environment with an exuberant energy.

The ambient walls of the corridors feature a series of shape-cut fenestrations, strategically placed to capture the imagination of young minds. These playful cut-outs, inspired by primary shapes, not only invite ample natural light but also serve as a delightful reminder of the fun-loving nature of the children.

By bringing in abundant light, this design not only promotes sustainability but also encourages a deep connection with nature, reminding students to always embrace the beauty of the natural world. These levels are purposefully zoned to serve different functions: the upper level fosters playful activities, leading down to the ground level dedicated to learning, and further descending to a cozy storytelling area. This thoughtful layout empowers kindergartners to engage their young minds and explore their surroundings with confidence.

Classrooms: The classrooms catering to kindergarten students are thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity and exploration, with details extending to the ground level from the mezzanine floors. This design encourages young learners to venture beyond traditional boundaries, infusing an element of playfulness that resonates with their natural inclination. The clear height of the classrooms is meticulously planned in relation to the stature of the teachers, ensuring the safety and comfort of the children while being mindful of the integrated levels within the space.

To maintain a conducive learning environment, the classrooms are organized in clusters, eliminating distractions caused by a corridor lined with classrooms as soon as students enter. This arrangement promotes focus and collaboration while minimizing disruptions. Within these classrooms, connectivity to the corridor spaces is emphasized, with only metal railings enclosing the area to allow for unrestricted ventilation and thermal comfort, facilitated by the natural stack effect.

Classrooms are designed to foster openness and connection, with metal railings serving as the only barriers between the spaces and the corridor. This design choice ensures ample ventilation and thermal comfort, harnessing the natural stack effect to create a conducive learning environment.

Restrooms: Even the restroom facilities in this school are treated with the utmost care, emphasizing not only functionality but also aesthetics. The exterior of these spaces features an elegant elliptical motif adorned with petite perforations, striking a delicate balance between privacy and natural light. Multi-coloured floor tiles add to the appeal, creating a welcoming atmosphere while allowing sunlight to filter through the perforations, minimizing bacterial growth.

The design ethos extends even to the restroom facilities, where aesthetics is not compromised for functionality. The exterior of these spaces features an elegant elliptical motif adorned with petite perforations, ensuring privacy while welcoming ample sunlight to eliminate any potential for bacterial growth. Inside, multi-coloured floor tiles add to the visual appeal, creating a vibrant and inviting atmosphere.

Laboratories: Laboratories are meticulously designed to cater to the specific requirements of each subject, with interactive elements integrated into the walls to enhance the learning experience. Nearby, an informal amphitheatre space offers opportunities for collaborative learning and engagement, visible from the connecting corridor on the first floor.

The labs are terrace gardens, breaking the linearity of the otherwise voluminous structure and instilling in students a reverence for nature. These green spaces serve as living laboratories, fostering a deeper connection with the environment, and nurturing a sense of harmony with the natural world. The laboratories are tailored to suit the unique requirements of each subject, with interactive elements integrated into the walls to enhance the learning experience. Nearby, an informal amphitheatre space near the Kund seating area on the ground floor provides opportunities for collaborative learning, visible from the connecting corridor on the first floor.

Terrace gardens: Terrace gardens surrounding the classrooms and labs break the monotony of the voluminous structure, instilling in students a connection with nature and promoting harmony with their surroundings. These green spaces serve as vital educational tools, fostering an appreciation for the environment and encouraging sustainable practices among the future leaders of tomorrow.

The entrance to this prestigious institution serves as a gateway to a realm of learning and discovery, leading seamlessly from the bustling plaza into a series of classrooms. Here, the kindergarten space stands out with its formal and refined interiors, meticulously curated with a harmonious blend of colours.

G.B School at Melmaruvathur

                                             

                                                       G.B School at Melmaruvathur

"A building design can tell a kid that: we love you. A building that is optimistic, that is outgoing and friendly to the community, sends a powerful message of support and care." - Ar.Frank Gehry 

This school located in Melmaruvathur follows an elliptical plan contrary to the conventional rectangular closure of general schools. The planning ensured breaking the general stigma associated with schools and making the experience in an educational institution joyful. 

ENTRANCE

There are 3 entrances to the school: The admin entrance, The student entrance, and the Parent entrance. The student entrance is in close proximity to the bus bay for easy circulation. This entrance acts as a handshake shattering the negative stigma associated with schools and encouraging them to come early to school and mingle with teachers and peers before the commencement of classes. The admin entrance is welcomed by a courtyard which makes the space feel friendly.  

PRAYER SPACE

The prayer space is a small well-lit courtyard that is lined with creepers as background with the tridents lined in position along the central glass monolith and greenery surrounding it. This space creates a divine ambiance in the school.

FAÇADE 

The façade primarily consists of brick as a major structure, which exhibits a natural clayey texture of walls that complement the red tones of paint and exposed concrete roof.  

MASSING 

The massing comprises a combination of geometric forms in a composition that complements each other. The straight walls and roof slabs of exposed concrete on the front compliments the elliptical mass on the sides and the curving wall of red. The theme of the design mostly comprises an earthy color palette with tones of red popping up on a neutral background.

CANTILEVER 

The student’s entry is framed by a 40 ft cantilever structure that is supported by only one column close to the perforated wall. The glass slit of the cantilever connects the curved red wall which gives ample light to the entrance. The unconventional perforations of the wall symbolically break the stigma associated with schools in general. 

INFRASTRUCTURE 

COURTYARDS

Courtyards form a major part of the school as they bring natural light into the building. This ensures that the corridors are well-lit and ventilated and that there are no dark spaces thereby ensuring the safety of the children. The courtyards make them feel at home and help them feel relaxed and comfortable. 

LIBRARY

The library is the first space to be encountered upon entering the school. This space is divided into 3 geometric volumes stacked on top of each other which is linked by a curving red staircase. The staircase uses the color red to guide the user to the space above, following the color pop theory. The library comprises a stepped court that acts as a stage for students' interactive activities. Students face each other in flower-shaped desk arrangements so that no kid is left out of the discussion. It acts as a hub of knowledge propagation. A natural skylight brightens the plane of the wall thus keeping the space lit. The wind tower implements a stack effect by allowing hot air to rise, flushing the cold air into the library. 

KUND SPACES/

The space below the soffit of the stairways is designed as kund paces with varying levels.

These kund spaces resonate with the traditional step well design ideology. These act as buffer spaces by breaking the linearity of the corridors and encouraging the propagation of knowledge among children. Kids use these spaces during break time, having snacks and interacting. It helps with making the school less formal and gives the children time to open up and become comfortable.

KG CLASSROOM/

The Kindergarten classrooms cater to the kids' energetic selves by being more colorful and unconventional. The composed volume creates a free-flowing mezzanine allowing kids to climb up through the climbing net and slide down through tunnel slides. The volume below the mezzanine gives the kids a sense of protection or a hugging sensation, suitable for storytelling. The wall of the classrooms is punctured with primary shapes which act as windows and are positioned at different levels considering the anthropometry of children, giving the kids a sense of joy and courage to explore.

HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOMS/ 

These classrooms give a decorous outlook, with the play of materials like exposed brick and concrete, sleek metal grills, and plywood furniture. Slits are provided on top of the lintel on exterior walls, allowing light to penetrate the space. The windows here open out inside the school premises, eliminating distraction. The storage space is designed with a black granite stone on top of an exposed brick dwarf wall on both sides that supports it. This gives a rustic yet modest look representing the high school students. The corridor adjacent to these classrooms has filler slab ceilings with filler pots of different colors in coordination with the classrooms.

BATHROOMS/ 

“Bathroom is also a room”. Bathrooms have a colorful palette reflecting the personalities of the students. It has been used as an element of design with its front wall punctured with perforations rising throughout the structure. Natural light floods the room through these pint-sized perforations keeping the space clean by getting rid of bacterial incubation. The floors are made of colorful tiles that reflect the natural light that penetrates through the courtyard in the interior. The diagonal partitions for water closets enable efficient usage of space. The overall massing is elliptical and elevates the facade structure. 

WINDOWS SHADING/ 

The inner face of the windows is painted red to add depth to the projection as it resembles a scooped-out volume. The red color throughout the building expresses equality as it is the color of blood and humanity, above cast, creed, and religion.

ARRANGEMENT OF CLASSROOMS/ 

The KG classrooms are staggered around the central open space in an organic arrangement which creates many recessions that take pressure off the corridor and allow for a better funneling of the kids traversing through the space. The classrooms are arranged in clusters so that the children do not get afraid of seeing a corridor of classes and feel claustrophobic. Each classroom opens out to the corridor in concern for the safety of students. 

CIRCULATION SPACES

CORRIDOR/

Corridor spaces break from the tenets of the linear corridors to branch into several buffer spaces and open spaces. The ceiling plane is framed by a waffle slab reducing the heaviness of the ceiling and also minimizing concrete consumption. It makes the space feel bright as the white waffle slabs reflect the sunlight from the courtyards eliminating the tunnel-like vision for those who transcend through them.

STAIRWAY/

The staircase is designed with sleek metal handrails that complement the heaviness of the form. The handrails measure around a meter in height, reducing any mishaps. The length of the tread permits the free circulation of several students simultaneously. 

WINDING RAMP/

The winding ramp which circles the courtyard creates a sense of curiosity for the children as they don’t reveal the space at once, but instead as several parts. This ramp elevates the playfulness of the courtyard as its form resonates with the small slide placed in its center. The winding ramp creates visual movement through its dynamism and angle of orientation.

ALLEYWAYS/

None can find a negative space in this school. Each space is either filled with greenery or is transformed into an alleyway. These alleyways act as explorative play areas for children and as prime hotspots for high school students.

PHOTOS