The document presents a case study on the design and architecture of various primary schools in India and the UK, focusing on creating enriching environments for children. It highlights specific schools such as Northstar School in Rajkot, Maidenhill Primary School in Glasgow, SIS Prep in Gurugram, and Udaan School in New Delhi, detailing their design ideologies, features, and materials used to enhance learning experiences. The overarching theme emphasizes the integration of nature, energy efficiency, and aesthetically pleasing interiors in educational spaces.

1. PRIMARY SCHOOL
CASE STUDY

2. Introduction
A school for primary education of children of a particular age group.
Designing a primary school
• Limiting height of building
• Creative and colourful interiors
• Diving spaces in blocks for different age
group
• Proper ventilation and lighting system
Schooling in India is divided according to the national education policy (nep)

3. Detailed study
Case Study
SCHOOL LOCATION ARCHITECT PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
The Northstar school Rajkot, Gujarat Shanmugam Associates Planning, use of materials, aesthetic interior
The Maidenhill primary school United Kingdom BDP Implementation of energy-saving techniques,
attractive interior, space planning
Highlights study
SCHOOL LOCATION ARCHITECT HIGHLIGHTS
Sis prep Gurugram Gurugram, Haryana Urbanscape Architects Structure, interior
Udaan school New Delhi, Delhi, India Studio AVT Architects Ventilation system

4. THE NORTHSTAR SCHOOL

5. Introduction
School is an enjoyable and enriching part of life
where students can safely explore their True North”
The client’s initial brief was that, a very important
part of every child's experience in Northstar be
shaped by architecture.
The design foundations at Northstar lie on ideologies
of exploring contemporary design with local material,
using regional references to define built form and
finding simplistic solutions for complex design
problems.
Ideology
Overall master planning was conceived integrating three phases of development of which only Phase
-1 is built. Open- ended corridors, building orientation and future development were factored into
the overall planning.

6.  Architects: Shanmugam Associates
 Area: 33000 ft²
 Year: 2017
Project details
Location
Kasturbadham, Rajkot-Bhavnagar, Highway,
Rajkot, Gujarat, India

9. Features
Classrooms: programming a single classroom module with cross
ventilation, its own private garden and an open to sky jallied
courtyard. Between two classrooms is a larger garden that is
easily monitored, has a performance space and provisions for
conducting classes.
Central courtyard: central courtyard ties all the spaces
within each module and is replicated in all phases. This
central stepped and vegetated courtyard serves for larger
gatherings as a multi-purpose space and for circulation.
Entry walkway: The structure visually creates a
presence as one walks along the heavily canopied
main entry walkway.

10. Central stage: Integrated within the
courtyard amidst the green pockets,
creepers and vines is a stage, that is used
by children or staff to perform.
Secondary skin: Jalli in
ground floor and an ambitious
creeper screen in first floor, has
been planned in all floors to
allow natural light, shield dust
and provide security.
Multipurpose hall: With due
credits to the structural
engineer, the massing on the
second floor sits lightly on the
floor below and houses a 250-
persons capacity
multipurpose hall.
*Architecture at The Northstar School has been planned such that as the building ages, landscape adds in more life into the
space therefore taking ownership.

11. When exploring material
for the façade, the criteria
was for it to be locally
available, have an earthy
tone, reflect an
institutional character
and be economical.
Bella, a natural hard lime
stone in terracotta color,
has been used to blend
the built form with
existing surroundings.
Materials

12. Interiors

13. Connecting learning to nature
• The primary intent being finding ways to learn with nature.
• Provision of private gardens for all spaces
• Classrooms having their own garden pockets
• Introducing green facade
Inference
Central courtyard
• Main courtyard allowing circulation and a gathering
space
Aesthetic interior
• Basic shapes and forms are introduced as a part of the
architecture
Reference: https://www.archdaily.com/950244/the-northstar-school-shanmugam-associates

14. THE MAIDENHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL

15. Newton Mearns, Glasgow G77,
United Kingdom
 Architects: BDP
 Area: 4725 m²
 Year: 2019
Project details
Location

16. The design focuses on providing spaces which encourage children’s curiosity and create a learning
landscape enriched with ‘play’ elements and natural forms.
The project forms part of the new Maidenhill
development at Newton Mearns, southwest of
Glasgow. A completely new neighbourhood,
comprising more than 800 homes, is being created
with the new two stream primary school and early
years facility sitting at the heart of the masterplan.
The unusual condition of school being built in parallel with neighbouring houses has given us an
opportunity to design not only a new learning centre, but also create a focus for the new community. A
“green spine” runs through the development, connecting the new dwellings to a central landscaped
pathway which feeds into the school.
Introduction
Ideology

17. Central atrium
Nursery
Outdoor activity
Auditorium
Main entrance

18. Central atrium: The school is organised around a central
atrium ‘heart’ space, which contains a wealth of
interactivity including science, performance, music,
technology, library, art, storytelling and play.
Features
Creative activity spaces: The central ‘heartspace’ is
shaped around flexible learning scenarios ranging from
cosy ‘‘wall pocket’’ snugs and “birdhouse” hideaway for
individual and paired learning, through to larger
auditorium type spaces for group work. An internal
climbing wall or “Maidenhill” provides scope for high
energy activity.

19. Nursery: The nursery, circular in form and filled with natural light, is
designed around a central ‘treehouse’ storytelling snug that’s elevated
above the central dining and performance space. The theme of nature
permeates throughout the school and is reflected in furniture, materials,
shapes, colours and graphics.
The main playground contains a water pump and weirs, play tunnels, bouldering wall, mud kitchen and fire pit as
well as a tiered outdoor teaching and social space. This wooden structure contains storage for tools and materials
provided by the contractor for building dens, ‘nooks’ and other creatures of a child’s imagination.
Outdoor activity space: This ‘learning
landscape’ continues the theme beyond
the building where the design of the
outdoor spaces integrate the concept of
‘natural play’.

20. Energy efficient roofing: The
School Achieved Energy Performance
Certificate (EPC) rating A (most
efficient). The roof of the school
contains over 400sqm of Solar
Panels. Low energy emittance lights
and low water use fittings are
applied throughout the school. A
sedum roof covers the early years
building and the low level storage
units in the playground are covered
with sedum plants.
A growing garden for food production has been created.
Water harvesting is used in the water play areas of the
playground and is used as a learning tool for the
children.

21. Interiors

22. Inference
Use of energy efficient techniques
• Low water use fittings
• Solar panelled roof
• Water harvesting
Beautiful and creative interiors
• Wall pockets
• Climbing wall
Reference: https://www.archdaily.com/935513/maidenhill-primary-school-and-nursery-bdp

23. Hamilton Court Road, Gurugram, Haryana, India
SIS PREP GURUGRAM
Location
 Architects: Urbanscape Architects
 Area: 809 m²
 Year: 2017
Project details

24. The building features a north-facing
exposed concrete and glass façade.
As the budding generation is pure and
away from the worldly mess, the
building also conveys the same, giving
an experience of earthy, natural tones
rather than the conventional primary
vibrant colors
The building boasts of alternate green
terraces, to merge built forms with the
natural greens, adding dynamism to the
façade.
Structure
The design strategically is
climate-responsive as it has a
closed south façade and the
west façade with all the
services closed with louvers.
Reference: https://www.archdaily.com/909468/sis-prep-gurugram-pal-design

25. Interior: Activity spaces
The planning and form development started with the natural angle of the site.
But the sharp angles were eliminated to develop a fluid, flowing form displaying soft,
nurturing and a safe environment to children.
A place where they have no restrictions and can move around with ease.
Activity spaces: sand pit, play areas, sitting net
Interiors: library for children, sitting areas, wash areas

26. UDAAN SCHOOL
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Location
 Architects: Studio AVT Architects
 Area: 6400 ft²
 Year: 2020
Project details

27. Ventilation System
The building design focuses on
ventilation and natural lighting.
The MS louvers on the stairs and
the window fins, add fresh splashes
of colour to the building- thus
revealing the function of the
building; aesthetically.
This rightly complements the mood and energy of young minds.
The window fins help in solar shading as well and ensure abundant sunlight inside
the classrooms.
There is a fresh flow of ventilation and abundant natural light through brick jali.
The colourful, triangular fins on the windows are
inspired from decorative pennant flags- which add
cheer and delight.
Minimal glass is used on the facade, so heat trapped inside is reduced.
Reference: https://www.archdaily.com/959245/udaan-school-studio-avt-architects

28. SCHOOL LOCATION CLIMATE ARCHITECT PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
The Northstar school Rajkot, Gujarat diverse conditions, plains
of Gujarat are very hot and dry
in summer and cold and dry in
winter. Summer is milder in the
hilly regions and the coast.
Shanmugam Associates Planning, use of materials, aesthetic
interior
The Maidenhill primary
school
United Kingdom temperate oceanic climate BDP Implementation of energy-saving
techniques, attractive interior, space
planning
Sis prep Gurugram Gurugram, Haryana Haryana is extremely hot in
summer at around 45 °C
(113 °F) and mild in winter.
The hottest months are May
and June and the coldest
December and January. The
climate is arid to semi-arid with
average rainfall of 354.5 mm
Urbanscape Architects Structure, interior
Udaan school New Delhi, Delhi,
India
overlap between monsoon-
influenced humid subtropical
and semi-arid with high
variation between summer and
winter temperatures and
precipitation
Studio AVT Architects Ventilation system
COMPARITIVE STUDY

29. THANK YOU!