A young and passionate design firm, Atelier ARBO transformed a 3,600 sq. ft. space into a charming children’s library of a Montessori School in Bangalore, India, blending the warm tones of wood with the vibrant green shades of lush indoor plantations.
Project Name: Little Books, Big Ideas The Montessori School Library
Studio Name: Atelier ARBO
Project Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Completion Year: February 2025
Gross Built Area: 3,600 Sq. Ft.
Photo Credits: Fabien Charuau
With over 200 students brimming with an innate passion for reading, the principal of Valiants Academy collaborated with the design team to create an expansive reading space that would bring joy and delight to the children. The low-rise school is spread across a vast 6-acre contoured plot, portraying a seamless harmony between the open courtyards and sheltered classrooms.
“Our first observation when we visited the school was the deep-rooted curiosity we saw in all the students who simply rushed to the library and couldn’t wait to read and research. Our design revolved around creating a space that could further ignite and enhance this innate desire of these little ones,” says Rinka D’Monte, Principal Architect of Atelier ARBO.
The library’s entrance hosts a massive double height area reaching up to 25 ft. Considering how intimidating it can feel when viewed through the eyes of a child, the studio created a quaint little mezzanine, offering cozy floor seating, benches with cushions, and large windows flooding the space with natural daylight and ventilation. The staircase leading to the mezzanine is flanked by an expansive bookshelf on one side, acting as a ‘Pause and Peruse’ point for the children heading upstairs.
“The conscious thought that became the foundation of our design was the joy and happiness of the children who were going to use the space. Every design decision was taken from the point of view of these young children and how they would perceive and react to the space,” Ar. Rinka D’Monte told Dezeen.
A small amphitheatre, constructed below the staircase, becomes an ideal gathering space sparking storytelling sessions and group discussions among the students. Proceeding further, the varied configurations of linear child-centric bookshelves, carved out of Ashwood, seamlessly segregate the entire library into smaller spaces. Various group study table zones merge seamlessly with cozy floor seating arrangements, a digital library area, and a book repair section.
The rear side of the library has large windows overlooking a beautiful courtyard. The studio took advantage of this and designed stepped-seating spaces below these windows, creating snug corners with soft cushions, where children can be deeply engrossed in a book under the bright sun rays and the vivid views of the landscape.
“We focused on the essence of the space and how it can positively influence a child’s mind. We procured and mindfully placed rustic decor items and meaningful artworks to enhance the ambience of the place. The floor rugs, cushions, and upholsteries, in the shades of beige, dusty blue, and pastel pink, further soothe the minds of the children, making them feel at home,” explains Ar. Rinka.
The evocative spaces of this children’s library speak the language of peace, positivity, and concentrated learning, throwing light on Atelier ARBO’s innate passion to create something beautiful and magical for young children.
