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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Planet Kids in Bengaluru, India by Cadence ArchitectsJune 17th, 2018 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Cadence Architects The brief called for the design a primary school on a tight site in an urban residential neighbourhood. The program comprising of classrooms, library, multipurpose space, activity rooms and various play areas demanded the building to be comprised of five floors including the basement.  Image Courtesy © Anand Jaju
 Image Courtesy © Anand Jaju The overall design intent articulates the program in a playful manner from a child’s perspective and is conceived as a conglomeration of myriad child fantasies. In order to create spatial intimacy, an anthropometrically scaled space has been crafted, that is scaled down for children- from railings to niches, all of them have been designed to not be overpowering. These elements include letters coalescing to form the elevation in the facade, to tiny nooks and corners to children to hide in, to little peep holes in every door and multiple other experiences. The intention of using various shapes has been to create a graphic space, where each space would become a pedagogical tool. The colours and shapes facilitate the creation of a playful atmosphere, thereby promoting interaction and engagement.  Image Courtesy © Anand Jaju  Image Courtesy © Anand Jaju Each program requirement has been seen as an opportunity to create a distinct world for the child. The reception is conceived as a portal to the building and designed to be an object in a Black space. This colourful assemblage of different worlds and experiences is then connected with a staircase and a special void that cuts through the building in section.  Image Courtesy © Anand Jaju  Image Courtesy © Anand Jaju An overall attempt has been made to mimic the idea of the ‘architectural promenade’ in a novel manner, where different spaces unravel along the path of the staircase. The staircase is designed as a sculptural element through a void. The sculptural void also enables visual and special interaction between the different levels while enhancing the perception of a larger space.  Image Courtesy © Anand Jaju  Image Courtesy © Anand Jaju Within the site context and location, the façade was intended to be a billboard in some sense, like a sign. Hence, typography has been used so that the children can relate to it. The entire building has been conceived as a child’s fantasy, flying letters become windows, giant candy shaped objects become rooms, circular openings resembling those on a ship, railings that look like fences in a zoo, and even a playful entrance that is like a mouth of a giant etc. The fabrication of the distinct elements coming together as a whole, enable the creation of a new identity in the residential neighbourhood.  Image Courtesy © Anand Jaju  Image Courtesy © Anand Jaju Green is a colour that has been used to bring in vibrancy to the space, while compensating for the lack of a natural, green environment, making metaphorical references to zoos and forests- all part of a child’s visual vocabulary. Pink is used in contrast to create a calming atmosphere in the otherwise charged environment. A collage of patterns, colours and materials is crafted; Ferro-concrete is used for the construction of the letters, MS for the patterned bubble grills, Striated paint strips for the library, kota and vitrified tiles have been used for the interior floors, flexi ply and gypsum for the furniture and ceiling etc. To facilitate the construction of the non-orthogonal forms and shapes, a non-rectilinear structural grid has been optimised along with the use of ferro-concrete in the facade to sculpt the varied shapes.  Image Courtesy © Anand Jaju  Image Courtesy © Anand Jaju  Image Courtesy © Anand Jaju  Image Courtesy © Anand Jaju  Image Courtesy © Cadence Architects  Image Courtesy © Cadence Architects  Image Courtesy © Cadence Architects  Image Courtesy © Cadence Architects  Image Courtesy © Cadence Architects  Image Courtesy © Cadence Architects  Image Courtesy © Cadence Architects  Image Courtesy © Cadence Architects  Image Courtesy © Cadence Architects
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