Shantiniketan school, Bijapur
2020
Can architecture improve our learning possibilities ?
My design responded to the sloping, undulating five acre site by creating an additional semi basement or lower ground floor for each wing that was located perpendicular to the drop. This also enabled us to have a large stepped amphitheatre for their daily assemblies, between the two central wings. The view of this amphitheatre on entering the arrival space creates a pleasant surprise.
All wings grow organically from the ground in the form of large stepped planters. The building sets back with stepped planters and creates open terraces at upper floors. The green courtyards between the wings bring in light, ventilation and facilitate interaction.
The bastion like service duct towers at the back, the use of stone masonry and the m.s. jaali used for the railing and shading screens are the contemporary responses to Bijapur’s architectural heritage.
Four wings out of the proposed six wings have been built in this first phase.