Institutional structures

Institutional architecture comprises schools, colleges and universities that cater to the educational growth of students from kindergarten to higher education. They not only teach students important skills and concepts for their future careers, but they also support students socially and emotionally throughout their educational journeys. (Anderson) According to studies, the rate of drop-outs decreases when they are closer to their family. (Edward M. Sosu, 2019) It is thus imperative for architects to create an infrastructure that builds a community of students that support and help each other grow into beautiful individuals. To create a community for students, the placement and orientation of spaces plays an important role. An interaction between structures and spaces, encourages students to spend quality time with their peers. Walking and bicycle friendly areas near public spaces promotes walking and acts as an ice breaker between students. The dimensions of spaces differ according to the anthropometric scales of varied age groups. The architecture and the spaces formed within them have separate requirements for spaces catering to the age groups of 3 to 16years old, higher education and universities. The functional spaces, dimensions, proportions, etc. constantly evolve as the student grows. Children at a tender age of 3 to 16 years old require an environment that promotes critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity. The architecture should allow them to create memories that have a long-lasting impact in their life. Introduction of multiple levels with physical and visual permeability lets them explore various options to approach a space. The proportions of the doors are designed according to the movements and activities performed by these students. Humble spaces with light entering through voids of varying shapes and sizes adds movement and rhythm to the structure. The primary function of teaching and learning go together with each other and should be integrated to serve constant surveillance with spaces for the students to make memories. Functions such as library and play areas should be interspersed with classrooms to fade the edges of spaces and give a homogenized opportunity for growth. Designing of vegetation to accentuate the spatial quality of the primary spaces helps activate the senses and increase the productivity of students. Tall and dense

Sai A. Pradhan l L. S. Raheja School of Architecture Traversing Through Architecture

trees become natural noise and physical barriers between the school and the streets which gives a sense of security and freedom to the children. By extending vegetation into the interior spaces, the transition between interior and exterior spaces becomes more fluid.

Architectural elements such as passages guarded with transparent facades, placement of structures creating recreational areas, etc. form directional spaces that induce wayfinding and a sense of direction among the children. Materials, patterns and colours on the floors and walls can further help in guiding and creating a sensory experience while moving between various spaces. Higher education institutes and universities require larger spaces to accommodate the needs of a diverse user group. However, spaces such as classrooms and libraries are bigger in universities than in colleges as they alienate the students from the built form which can make the students feel isolated from their surroundings.

FIGURE 52: LIBRARY IN CEPT UNIVERSITY, AHMEDABAD (SOURCE- ARCHDAILY)

FIG URE 53: RMIT UNI VERSI T Y, AUS TRALIA (SOUR CE- AR CHD AIL Y)

Sai A. Pradhan l L. S. Raheja School of Architecture Traversing Through Architecture

Placement of recreational areas such as activity centers, multipurpose classrooms, canteens, etc. closer to the ground floor can increase the participation of students in activities on campus. Provision of residential areas for students helps build a student community that supports each other. Designated pedestrian pathways and bicycle tracks linking various structures should be provided and connected by placing the drop off points near public areas. The organization of spaces must promote an interaction between the structures and between users and the built form. Well thought placement of staircases can increase physical and visual visibility between the occupants and add vibrancy to the structure. Architects should constantly evolve the design of educational structures by focusing on the needs of the students. When the structure imbibes a feeling of home and puts the student at ease, the chances of a successful student increases. The infrastructure should encourage engagement of students with the activities and peers on campus and strive to create a community for them.