Flying Elephant Studio

As part of their nationwide grassroots education program, APF is in the process of setting up Schools and District Institutes in different parts of rural India, typically socio-economically backward areas. The targeted student profile is similar to those attending government schools in the region.

Schools proposed are of the K-12 type and would work in conjunction with District Institutes engaged in regional teacher training, outreach programs and liaison with government agencies.

The School and District Institute at Yadgir, in North Karnataka, houses about 7000 sqm of floor space on a linear 4 acre site. The required program is layered sequentially into 3 zones, from front to rear : playground, school and district institute -guesthouse. The building masses are arranged around two courtyards, dedicated to school and district institute respectively. The guesthouse may only be constructed in the future, and the space allotted is currently given to an amphi-theatre that is aligned with the District Institute courtyard.

The building construction is of a conventional RCC frame with terracotta block infill and cladding. Terracotta ‘jaali’ screen walls are employed to protect semi-open spaces from rain, while modulating the harsh summer sun. Some internal walls are plastered and painted providing a colour counterpoint to the terracotta, raw concrete and brushed Tandur stone floors.

A different design process is being employed, for the first time in these projects, respecting the client’s intent to use a democratic, participatory, user driven model for design decision making.