This was an ambitious project from the inception as the clients were wading preschool waters for the first time during the pandemic of 2020. From the project’s inception, we had to be reserved with our choices as we wanted to minimize our social and economic risks during covid times. As the project was located in the prime area of the city on a sizable plot of 20,000 sq yards.
Project Name: The Kidz School
Studio Name: Amrita Lakhani Design Studio
Date Of Completion: February 2020
Sustainability, reuse and practicality guided our every decision, beginning with the materials and building techniques, emphasizing on adaptability. By choosing this approach, we not only reduced construction waste but also ensured the entire structure could be dis-assembled, relocated, and re-assembled in the future—extending the building’s lifecycle, cost and minimizing environmental impact.Thus, the design employs non-structural exposed brick walls, metal structural framework, and space frame roofing assembled with mechanical fasteners.
With this first decision, of having a recyclable building, we could focus on the environment, setting the tone for conducive learning. This preschool is thoughtfully designed to offer a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment where young children can explore, learn, and grow.
Each class has been designed for spontaneity and flexibility so that dynamism is a constant. Interiors are constantly shifting with the change in theme and size of the class. Thus, there is no defined classroom or number of children per class.
Blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces is a deliberate choice to integrate nature into the learning environment. An outdoor amphitheatre and open staircases with slides make the journey from one session to the next fun and adventurous, keeping the kids excited and receptive to new subjects and learning. Furthermore, the presence of a library, netted play area, and trampoline serves to break down the formal structure of architecture, creating informal connecting spaces where children can interact, play, and learn together. This approach fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among children, promoting social development alongside academic growth.
The landscape has been designed to capture the essence of nature and elements like water, hills, trees, colours, fruits, and flowers, insects, butterflies, and birds. This is a part of the main design proposal that will be taken up as phase 2 development of the project.
