State-of-art Architecture Steadily Transforming School Infrastructures

Tremendous advancements of technology have reached to every spheres of economy, and education system is not exception to this. Owing to technology education system has witnessed a paradigm shift and paved the way for an updated version of itself. Everybody knows the pivotal role of education in shaping the future of a child as well as a nation as it helps you to grow personally, professionally, and socially. Technology has fostered the process of learning by transforming the way to gain knowledge, communicate and process information. The sudden massive attack of pandemic has clearly pointed out how much technology is important in improving the education system. Across the globe, technology is changing education and it offers several new possibilities for today's educational institutions of all kinds. Now, we have to remember that technology doesn’t support everything everywhere without a certain up-gradation of infrastructure. 

Technology can provide educators with new ways to reach students who may not have access to traditional classroom settings. But to do that, we will need a high speed internet connection, top-notch devices which support educational software. If we achieve the required objects, then only we will make full use of this advanced education system.  Here lies the importance of infrastructural development in educational institutions in India.

Education unveils the door and leads you towards your dream!!

Impact of School Infrastructure on Child’s Development

A good school determines a shiny bright future of a student. It is true that, an advanced infrastructure can make all the difference in a student’s educational journey. From well-equipped classrooms with modern technology and resources to outdoor play areas, good-quality furniture, and access to extracurricular activities, good school infrastructure can create an atmosphere for success. It can motivate students and give them increased confidence when it comes to attending classes on time, make them responsible and dedicated towards their study. 

Modern classroom equipped with highly advanced computers, good internet connection, interactive whiteboards, and modern audio-visual equipment that can make teaching more engaging and effective. Whenever it comes to deal with the blooming minds, parents are always concerned about the safe and healthy school building which is necessary for physical and emotional learning of their child. A good infrastructure is the foundation effective teaching and learning. Young minds are like a lump of clay, you can mold it the way you want to make a strong, long lasting and trailblazing personality. So, learning and development should start from this young age. One of such initiative was taken by Architecture firm Jones Studio, who has designed an educational centre in Arizona with the aim of raising awareness about water resources and infrastructure in the region.

“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world”, – Malala Yousafzai

Here in this article we have listed a few architecturally advanced schools which have marked their success and maintaining their excellence throughout the years.

Sarala Birla Academy, Bangalore

Whenever you enter through the main gate of this institution, the sight of the school will surely soothe your eyes. The structure of the building will definitely remind you the castle of the princess from the fairy tales. If you gaze at its splendidly steepled academic block, and other equally alluring buildings, it transposes you in an instant to the venerable yet delightful portals of the Oxford University. The spiritual, cerebral and sporty ambience apart, the sound of innocent laughter of more than a 100 kids sounds like cowbells ringing on a mountain top, which will lift your spirits no end. A contemporary gymnasium, a swimming pool that can more than match the world’s best and an energizing sports complex makes it a ‘dream school’. This school is a venture of famous realty giant Aditya Birla Group. The school strives in every possible way to give its student the feel of a ‘second home’ through pastoral care. The school was designed by none other than the ‘Man of Heights’ Hafeez Contractor. His excellence in architecture is quite evident in every corner of this school. A school like a Church is an architectural wonder located in Bannerghatta, Bangalore, approximately 24km from the famous MG Road.

“May all the students who will enter the portals of this Academy be blessed with fulfillment in every way because here, along with the academics, art, culture, music, theatre, and vocational training will form an integral part of the curriculum”, -Dr. Sarala Birla

St. Joseph’s School, Darjeeling

It is one of the oldest yet excellent educational institutions of India, which has maintained its quality of education since its inception in the year 1888. It is a day cum boarding school for boys, which is located at a strikingly illuminating valley of Darjeeling.  The construction work of the school was conducted Brother Eugene Rotsaert who with the help of 2000 men leveled the ground by the end of December 1888. It was founded by Fr. Henri Depelchin with 25 students on 13 Feb, 1888. The school provides facilities for various games such as cricket, football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and chess. Furthermore, it also engages in co-curricular activities such as quiz, debate, music and drama. It has gymnasium and swimming pool inside the school. The school follows Jesuit Education, which is inspired by the life of Jesus and eager to spread the Gospel values through unconditional Love and Service to all people, the needy in particular.

“Together, we can continue to shape the future of our students, guiding them toward excellence and character development”, - Stanley Varghese SJ, Father Rector

Divya Shanthi School, Bangalore 

This school is located in an economically weak neighborhood of Bangalore city. The owner of the property is Divya Shanthi Christian Association and Trust. Divya Shanthi Education programs focus on children from the lowest income band. Designed by Elephant Studio, the architectural intent was to synthesize a complex design brief into a pleasant, comfortable living environment - but also to form a coherent neighborhood landmark that exudes positivity and optimism, emerging as a beacon of hope. The building consists of multiple programs that complement the needs of both the existing school campus, as well as a larger neighborhood community. It includes children’s dormitories and a senior girl’s transition home, teacher training center, primary healthcare clinic, a community library, science labs, dining hall and additional facilities for the school. The new building design re-interprets the architecture of a traditional ‘verandah’, a transitional area that functions variedly as a climatic buffer, movement corridor, and a social space, adapting the concept to a contemporary multi-level urban structure. The building presents an enigmatic image, with vibrant splashes of color, reflections, and transparency filtered through the veil of steel louvers.

The stone tablet which was unveiled on the inauguration day Divya Shanthi church, reads, “To the glory of God, the Divya Shanthi Christian community hall was dedicated by the Rt Rev. K.E.Gill, Bishop of Karnataka Central Diocese, CSI and declared open by the Rev. Joe Mullins , MCMA, Presbyter of St. John’s church ( 1962-1974), on the 26th of August 1978”.

Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai

One of premium schools of the city, located at a distinct location of Mumbai, Bandra–Kurla Complex, spread over a vast land parcel of 110,000 sq.ft of a triangular piece of land. The architecture work was conducted by Niteen Parulekar Architects. The design evolved from the triangular plot by aligning the 2 linear blocks alongside which paved a welcoming entry and a vast playground within. The classroom blocks are coherently constructed with the rising level of learning. The wind tunnel effect was created by isolating the two blocks, which ensure that mechanical cooling is not a necessity. The staggered terrace garden has been created at all levels in effect giving a visual gradient a trademark identity of the structure of the building. The school consists of an auditorium, multipurpose hall, an indoor swimming pool in additional to the classrooms, labs and library facility. Very recently, they have expanded new campus, which is named after the school’s Founder and Chairperson, Nita Ambani. The educational institution is housed in a seven-storey building with nearly 60 classrooms, gardens and two playgrounds which will be shared with the new wing. It was ranked the No. 1 International School in India for 6 Consecutive Years

"It is with a great sense of gratitude and optimism that we look ahead to the future as the new generation takes the lead, with a strong commitment to building on this culture of excellence”, -Nita Ambani

Rane Vidyalaya, Tamil Nadu

Constructing a modern structure right inside a cityscape or in the vicinity of metropolitans are not uncommon thing to observe, but when it comes to rural remote areas of India, it is no less than a tough challenge to construct a building with all the modern touches. This challenging endevour was undertaken by Shanmugam Associates, who designed and constructed a full-fledged K12 campus in rural area of Tamil Nadu which is spread over a land measuring 80,000 ft². It is named as Rane Vidyalaya, CBSE School run by the Rane Foundation in the village of the erampalaym in Tamil Nadu for imparting a quality education to the rural children. Inspired by the construction methods of local houses and temples, the exterior of the school sees layers of red wire-cut bricks sourced from local kilns alternated with grey fly ash bricks that have been recycled from cement waste. Clay-moulded jalis are layered over UPVC windows, which facilitate sound ventilation, eliminating the need of an air condition. Top-hung shutters line the top of all classroom walls, to enhance ventilation, while deep concrete overhangs on the exterior help diffuse the sunlight coming in. Well-ring perforations in the roof suffuse the space with natural light, offering a direct connection with the outdoors. A subtle touch of lush greenery outside the compound is adding another layer of vegetative and welcoming note.

"The intent was to create an infrastructure that would have a positive social impact on the local community and also showcase the core values of Rane”, - Shanmugam A, Lead Architect, Shanmugam Associates

Finally

Aschool is a place where your child’s fundamental knowledge base is constructed. As children, how much we learn at our homes is not that impactful compared to what we seek in schools will last forever. The mannerisms, the etiquettes, the discipline, the friendship, the values & morality, and the importance of sharing & caring, lasts forever in our lives. It is true that, what we learn during our foundation days that will surely help in restructuring our future. Co-curricular activities help them to understand the value of team building activities and develop non-academic talents. A good infrastructure with renewed spaces, makes it possible for children and youths that live in remote areas to study. If the backward classes get the chance to study well, India would become unstoppable, leaving behinds all the odds and obstructions.