Krishnamoorthy foundation school,Chennai

CASE STUDY: KRISHNAMURTI FOUNDATION SCHOOL

INTRODUCTION

The School KFI in Chennai was started in the year 1973. It is run by the Krishnamurti Foundation India (KFI) based on the views on education and philosophy of J. Krishnamurti. The school has about 350 students and 35 teachers.

Until May 2018, the school was located in a spacious campus in Adyar made available by The Theosophical Society. The School KFI relocated to a new campus in June 2018 to Thazhambur (on Old Mahabalipuram Road)

THE NEW SYSTEM

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The school KFI strives to create and sustain an atmosphere of learning so that children, in the words of J.Krishnamurti, “may flower in goodness”.

Knowledge, intellectual capacity and technological powers alone have never been sufficient to meet life’s challenges. To live, one must remember is to be related and to be complete human being we must continually learn and row in mindful relatedness – to people, things, ideas, nature and above all, to one’s inner self. The school KFI offers the space for the exploration of such an education

SITE

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Area – 27 Acres

Architect – Ms AnupamaMohanram/ Mr JaideepVivekanand

SITE PLAN

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SITE CONDITION

Fig.14: Low height mango trees

Fig.15: Shallow pond

Fig.16: Coconut Tree Avenue

ASSEMBLY HALL

Ground level

Total carpet area – 2500sq.ft Fig.17: Closed well

First floor level

Total carpet area – 2500sq.ft Fig.18

Second floor level

Total carpet area – 970sq.ft Fig.19

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Fig.21: Rendered view

Fig.22: Assembly building – Night view

Fig.23: Assembly building – Day view

Fig.24: Assembly building – interior view – open wall classroom system that blends interior with exterior

ART BLOCK

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SCHOOL BLOCK

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ALTERNATE EDUCATION:

Krishnamurti regards education as of prime significance in the communication of that which is central to the transformation of human mind and the creation of new culture.

Such a fundamental transformation takes place when the child, while being trained in various skills and disciplines, is also given the capacity to be awake to the processes of his own thinking, feeling and action.

This alertness makes him self-critical and observant and thus establishes integrity of perception, discrimination and action, crucial to the maturing within him of a right relationship to man, to nature and to tools man creates.

INFORMAL EDUCATION

Students were brought out from the four walled class rooms to the new way of learning. The learning under the tree which is one of the ancient teaching & learning culture was bought back here as a space called “Mango Circle". These mango circles were constructed by the students of this school as a part of education about the construction with the help of the guides

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As all students loves to scribble / paint on the walls, students were brought to paint their ideas in their mind. This enables the campus looks colourful as well as improves the creativity of the students.

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Other outdoor classes were taken at the ground, the central round space & anywhere under the tree.

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OTHER ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS

Bird bath - an ornamental element that feeds birds, this attracts more sparrows & other birds into campus creating an eco-friendly environment

Low height garden wall or earth benches with murals become an aesthetical feature that attracts the students

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Arched gateway, one of the prominent ancient architectural elements used in palaces & forts creates a grandeur entry to the buildings. Exposed brick wall & Exposed concrete wall finish being trending now a days is the feature of modern architecture.

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Garden walls with exposed brick & cudapah seats creates an informal gathering space Minimalistic designs in the walls represents the area of art into architecture

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The modern design feature pergola, enhance the design & also have a light & shadow play with the movement of sun

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Perforated brick blocks are used for jaliwall construction. Ventilation through this jali wall creates a play of lighting in the interior of the building with the movement of sun

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CIRCULATION PATHWAY

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The curved circulation pathway creates a free flow of movement without any restriction. This pathway was also done by the students as a part of their practical session with the staff guidance

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IGBC AWARD (Indian Green Building Council)

The School KFI's new campus in Thazhambur, Chennai has been awarded the CII - Indian Green Building Council - IGBC's Green Schools award with the highest Platinum rating.0 The architect and green consultant for the new campus are Ms AnupamaMohanram and Mr JaideepVivekanand of Green Evolution, an architectural services firm specializing in aesthetic, earth friendly buildings.

Energy Efficient Equipment Renewable Energy Systems Water Savings Systems Waste Water Treatment and Reuse Rainwater Harvesting

Energy efficient equipment

LED light fixtures * Number required - 350 nos of 18w * Number required - 200 nos of 8w

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High efficient ceiling fans * More efficient than typical BEE 5 star rated fans * Number required 275

Renewable energy systems Fig.56

16 KW 16 PV energy systems * On grid system & off grid system * Lack of clarity on TNEB's solar energy policy * Provides covered spaces on the terrace areas

3,250 LPD solar thermal hot water system for kitchen * Uses solar thermal energy to preheat water to 85 - 90 degree Celsius before sending to boiler * Used for cooking, steaming, plate washing * Reduce LPG use for steam production by 90%

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Weatherproofing

* Roof insulation * Will cut off heat from the roof * Keep interiors cool and comfortable

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Renewable energy systems

100 kg/day biogas digester * Eco friendly way to dispose organic waste * Produces biogas that can replace 1 to 2 burners in the kitchen

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Reduce water use

* Dual flush water closet * Waterless urinals * Low flow taps and faucets

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Wastewater treatment and reuse

* Grey water from kitchen 20 KLD * Black water from toilets 2 to 3 KLD * Reuse treated wastewater for gardening and flushing

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