Figure 1.2. Population Statistics – Kalyan-Dombivli

Source: @ project survey Kalyan-Dombivli city

The mandate for education of children to encourage progressive thinking requires a functioning and supportive physical learning infrastructure. The Vidya Niketan school building is 34 years in age with falling far short against goal of 21st century educational demand. The failure, is not surprising, because older school buildings were not designed to facilitate modern methods of teaching and learning. Plus, the building and site was built as the school land expanded further from a small plot to a 3.46 acres site. Typical classrooms are designed to be ‘Teacher-Centred Learning’ environments with double loaded corridors reinforcing isolation from other classes. Conformity is encouraged in a classroom layout where the teacher is positioned in a fixed position in front of a group of students. High interaction between students creates a platform for students to learn from each other and develop social skills. To be sustainable we must simultaneously design for greater longevity and increased flexibility of use. Hence the need of a new style of infrastructure with new techniques and activities to the old school of Vidya Niketan, Dombivli.

In the recent times, the field of education has witnessed numerous variations on a large scale. Due to the rising commercial aspect, schools are becoming grander in terms of garnering the image of being the best one in its field. In order to sustain in this competition, schools tend to market themselves through various lucrative offers, thereby rendering the students as mere consumers of a product... Also, in this scenario, misleading architectural imagery plays a significant role where it becomes the platform to attract the consumers.

Due to this rat race, quality of education suffers the most as the schools are evolving with providing various infrastructural facilities, but the quality of space required for learning has remained constant or is left unexplored.

The fact is that a good school infrastructure, with renewed spaces, makes it possible for children and youths that live in remote areas to study and, in addition, tends to improve the attendance and interest of students and teachers in learning. For this same reason, investments in school infrastructure have an essential role in solving access problems of students to the school system and to improve their performance.

To redevelop a school with modern facilities and infrastructure, but a bound to earth homey feel, with comfortable studying atmosphere for the children as per their age groups... A school which gives more than just a curriculum, following a syllabus, that will make them grow mentally, physically, spiritually and psychologically.

i. To design classrooms which has student friendly environment according to their age groups. ii. To design art room, laboratories, library, computer room etc for specific amount of people and with friendly furniture for the same. iii. To design spaces for developing the student into a self-sufficient independent individual. For example, a lecture (once in 1 or 2 weeks) in a specific designed space to practically train first aid, self-defence, basic cooking, basic things during disaster like fire, flood, gas leakage. Etc. iv. To design a special classroom for below average, differently abled or dyslectic students. v. To design assisting spaces like change rooms, locker rooms for sports, cafeteria, store room, security room, toilets, parking, drivers rest room, record room, printing room. vi. To design Spaces for the development of talents and entertainment like sports, and culture. vii. To create informal spaces for the students to have an interaction with their fellow school mates.

viii. To design an assembly hall which can also be used for cultural gatherings, award ceremonies, guest lectures, announcements, orientation etc. ix. Creating spaces in the landscape which can be multi-used during different festivals and in regular schedule.

x. To design playgrounds for outdoor sports like football, basketball, Kho Kho, kabaddi short put, long jump, running tracks etc. xi. To design a sustainable structure which is vernacular with a modern approach.

i. Architectural drawings i.e. plan, sections, elevations, views to understand the project. ii. Architectural details with all materials and dimensions.

iii. Landscaping for various sports and formal, informal spaces. (understanding campus design) i.e. site development iv. A gist of how the interiors and its furniture design (for art room, library laboratory computer room etc.) would be. v. Service plans, like water supply, electrical or fire layout. (MEP) vi. Understanding Vernacular architecture with a modern approach.

i. To design a school for standards JR. K.G., SR. K.G. AND 1ST to 10TH SSC board only. (i.e. from age group 4 to 15) ii. Detail electrical layout except only the location of the electrical equipment would be shown.

iii. Detailing of the interiors. iv. Detailing of fire layout with pipe sizes, sprinkler specifications etc.

RESEARCH

STATISTICS SITE SELECTION ( DOMBIVLI )

SITE ANALYSIS LITERATURE STUDY CASE STUDIES

LIVE CASE STUDY

K. J. SOMAIYA SCHOOL PROGRAMME LITERATURE REVIEW

NET CASE STUDY

SHARDA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL GREEN ACRES ACADEMY

ROCKFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL

CMR EKYA SCHHOL

POWAR PUBLIC SCHOOL

i. The process starts from selection of an interesting topic which has statistical, spiritual or an emotional value to it.

ii. This is followed by a thorough research of the selected topic which includes data analysis, data collection, readings, articles, latest news related to the topic. iii. After studying the statistics through which we would know the scope of the project, an indepth study (literature study) of what exactly is needed while designing or what aspects should be kept in mind while designing is done. iv. Identifying the case studies similar to our project is also very important, this gives a practical review related to the topic. For example – problems arising the case study, circulation pattern, MEP pattern etc. thus it gives a new prospective for design interventions. v. After case studies, having a clear mind what exactly is needed for the project, a site has to be selected with the complete analysis and statistic with the problems faced in and around the site.

vi. Finally, this in all will help in having a conceptual mind set in designing and organising a final programme.