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

                                                         

                           

                                                                                       

HARVEE SCHOOL , COIMBATORE

 Quoting Frank Gehry - “Architecture and any art can transform a person even save someone. It can for children- for anyone. It still does for me.” 

Designing a school is always exciting and challenging at the same time, since it deals with the energy of children of different age groups, from nursery kids to adolescent teens. With age-specific physical and psychological needs comes a great responsibility in configuring spaces. Experiential layer plays a major role in this design, integrating spaces in school with relation to the way children have used and experienced spaces till now.

The school is designed in a way that it skillfully integrates the needs and curiosities that are to be met - to allow the young child to try and catch a ray of sunlight in their hands, for the older children to have space for studying alone or in a group with spaces for individual teaching also provided.

The access to the school is through an 'arched entry' with an inclined wall adjacent to it, accentuating the overall meticulously designed organic structure. The amphitheatre is fabricated in a curvilinear style along the span of the perforated wall in the east, which doubles as both prayer and gathering space. The entry leads to the courtyard, which is greeted by a flight of stairs sculpturally spiraling to the floors above. The classrooms are arranged along the periphery with arching or curved fenestrations that challenge archetype designs allowing ample sunlight into the classrooms in addition to the perforated wall to the east.The mud wall finish inside the classrooms,exposed brick and concrete with jali patterns in the elevation, add an earthy touch to the bright colours that are incorporated in the interiors of the building to cheer up the mood and to subjectively taper the otherwise voluminous structure. The flooring integrates materials such as dirty Kota, Kota, white marble and kadappa allowing for flowing patterns that are designed in the entry counting to the already existing organic composition. 

The upper floors, offset and project outwards, each along a different curve, adding layers to the organic fabric of the structure. The central court has an informal seating space, with varied levels of seating for the users, with the students being able to be monitored by the teachers. The introverted planning helps in provision of security with the central courtyard helping in facilitating a visual connection in the vertical aspect  to monitor the entire space.

RESHMI WEEKEND STAY, YERCAUD

Dr. Reshmi and Dr. Shivakumar's WEEKEND HOME at YERCAUD 

This weekend abode in Yercaud is designed for a Salem based doctor couple; Dr. Reshmi, a gynaecologist and Dr. Shivakumar, an Oncologist. We thank them for entrusting us with the project. 

Weekend getaway is all about relaxation and rejuvenation and this best describes this dwelling. With Yercaud's cool, foggy and pleasant climate being no secret, an addition to this habitat is a picturesque landscape. An alluring entrance path encompasses a series of stepping stones on a lily pond in the North to the pathway which ceases at the welcome pavilion.The scenic view laid out by the bamboo trees in the east and a water body in the North east is taken advantage of by providing a glazed wall commencing at welcome pavilion and extending till the fancy kitchen. The facade is fabricated in an interesting aspect by designing the slope angle of the roof to be more inclined. The able design team of MA aimed at an environmentally responsive design and hence the contour and existing trees were retained with the abode being designed in accordance with it. The usage of locally available stones in the construction not only adds to the sustainability factor but also to its affiliation with the region. This is further enhanced by providing spaces such as chat terrace and gazebo that capture the breathtaking views vindicating the phrase; bringing the outside, inside. In precise, this skillfully designed weekend getaway is a joyful escape from the hectic lifestyle that aims at relaxation and rejuvenation.

 

MR.ARUN SELVAGANAPATHY RESIDENCE AT ECR

A home is said to be composed of love, hope and dreams. Arun selvaganapathy's residence at Injambakkam stands true to this phrase.The client Mr.Arun Selvaganapathy previously based in U.S and his wife Gayathri Arun Selvaganapathy with their kids Lucky and Eshwar intend to live with their parents.

They wanted an exemplary house within the surrounding area. The spaces designed by our team amalgamated into the elevation that stood a strong statement to the overall structure standing merit to 

our team's goal of delivering a form that was futuristic and dynamic.The overall planning emphasized that it doesn't pose a danger to the existing vegetation. 

The foundation laid in the east corners were in accordance with the placement of trees in order to not disrupt the on-site vegetation.The huge setback space on the front is used as a multipurpose family space with integrated hardscape and softscape. The planning of the house encourages maximum connectivity with each and every space being interlinked with one another forming small pockets for gatherings at each floor level that is raised.The ground floor accommodates the family lounge, guest bedroom, kitchen and  mutram space near Amma's bedroom where the family can meet, interact and enjoy throughout the day.

The stairs from the Muttram then lead to the mezzanine floor that is designed as a viewing deck taking advantage of the stunning views of the pool and other areas of the house. The mezzanine then leads to the first floor that accommodates the home-office of the client, the master bedroom and bedroom of the kids. The personal office space separated from the master bedroom by a partition wall, apart from being his official arena, makes space for chit chats of the couple with levelled seating and flexible partition being provided. 

The bedrooms of the kids are provided with levelled seating that acts as their private getaway. The viewing deck area designed in between their bedrooms acts as a connecting element - a privatised space for them to interact. The visual transparency is introduced by double height spaces and a viewing deck that provides direct views to the pool and other areas of the house. By creating two distinct cubes that fabricate the sides of the residence, a strong statement of the solids amongst nature stood established. Over-all the residence was designed to reflect the client's character and alongside serve as an example of a structure that is avant-garde and affable.

 

PROPOSED RESIDENCE FOR Dr.KRISHNAMOORTHY AT SATHYAMANGALAM

Dr. Krishnamoorthy is a young, reputed doctor whose association with MA goes a long way. This esteemed journey with the client began when we were first approached for Dr. Krishnamoorthy's hospital where we worked in unison for his laboratory too. Him, approaching us for the project of his residence, authenticates his trust in us. This residence was a challenging project given the client's solid belief in Vastu but that didn't restrict us from exploring spaces both structural and form-wise. The facade stands testimony to the fluid-flow forms that were attempted and engineered with perfection.

The colour palette emits an earthy tinge which is elevated further by the greenery spread all wide. This 9000 sq.ft house accommodates a Muttram (courtyard), which is a free-flowing space that can be noted for the absence of columns allowing uninhibited circulation and it also allows ample sunlight inside the house, providing for the connection of the inhabitants with nature. The Pooja room of this household is one to catch sight of, with the light entering through the skylight escalating the sense of divinity adding to the experience of being inside a temple. The rooms are spacious and are planned in accordance with vastu connected by a lot of open courts in between adhering to the natural aura it radiates