Situated on a lush 17-acre site, Vidyashilp Academy is a co-educational school in Bengaluru’s northern suburb of Yelahanka. The underlying design philosophy was to develop an educational environment that integrates nature into the built fabric, extending
learning beyond the traditional spaces.
Project Name: Vidyashilp Academy
Studio Name: Morphogenesis
Location: Yelahanka, Bangalore, Karnataka
Completion Date: 2023
Site Area (sq ft & sq m): 70,298.67 sqm/ 7,56,638 sqft
Built-Up Area (sq ft & sq m): 31,128 sqm/ 3,35,065 sqft
Photographer: Mr. Shamanth Patil
This approach speaks to the school’s vision of advancing knowledge and preparing students for life and leadership by shaping their interaction with both the natural world and the built surroundings.
The planning harnesses Bengaluru’s relatively mild climate. Approximately 700 existing trees were retained and integrated into the design scheme. The site is laid out along the north south axis, with a central green lung of teak trees establishing an intuitive flow throughout the campus. This green spine is bridged at its extremities by double-height portals. All building blocks open into this spine.
The layout is designed to direct gentle breezes through the multiple courtyards that break up the built mass. These open green spaces, interspersed with the classroom blocks, create a flexible programme, enabling students to engage in a variety of outdoor play and learning
activities and congregate in informal settings. Each classroom block features internal
ventilation courts populated with air-purifying plants. The central corridors are illuminated by light wells while services occupy the west as a passive design strategy to mitigate heat gain.
The architectural language emphasizes functionality and identity, aiming to create an inside out campus where students connect with their immediate environments. The façade features Glass-Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GRC) jaalis, employed as both functional and aesthetic design elements. They feature modular perforation patterns, with openness ranging from 20%-25% to 45%-50%, calibrated to balance ventilation, light, and privacy.
The palette is soft and neutral, with bold pops of colour and texture that defines the
programme. The east and west sides of each block feature imposing grey fin walls treated
with a concrete texture. In contrast, the north and south walls are painted a neutral white.
Entrances to each block are highlighted with accented portals, each featuring a distinct
colour for easy identification while also contributing to the overall visual expression. These
vibrant colours extend into the corridors and classroom interiors, creating a harmonious and playful design vocabulary.
Vidyashilp Academy stands as a testament to the potential of reimagining educational
spaces to promote holistic development. The school’s design fosters a tranquil yet
stimulating environment, enabling students to thrive both academically and personally.
Through its architecture and integration with nature, the school not only meets educational needs but also enhances the overall well-being of its students, making their learning experience truly memorable. For its focus on creating a warm and friendly learning environment, the project has been recognised as a Happy School by UNESCO’s Bangkok based Happy School Project, which advocates for a paradigm shift that places happiness at
the centre of education, policy and practice.
