Project Description

The brief for this project was to transform a decades old, relatively standard, primary school into something that would be more upmarket and exclusive. Spaces had to be redesigned to support modern teaching methods that focus less on bookish learning and more on practice-based skill development establishing a change in pedagogy.

 While the client’s desire to modernize the school facilities was initially based on ideas from the West, our design approach was inspired by Indian culture, practices and lifestyle. Graphics had distinctive Indian motifs and bright hues associated with India. For spaces specifically defined for learning through activity such as mock shops and vehicles, we made sure that traditional ‘kirana’ shops and rickshaws were included as well as a more modern supermarket layout and school buses. For such high usage spaces durable and cost-effective materials were used. The tranquil environment was created with extensive use of earthen and muted green tones. Space allowing flexibility of usage, say for the Indian festivities such as Diwali and Uttarayan, were also incorporated.

 Remodeling existing structures and developing spaces to support a different teaching environment proved to be a bigger challenge than anticipated. The result was a modern school environment designed to support many interactive learning activities that were much appreciated by the teaching staff and the parents. The Government of Gujarat, required two new blocks that would accommodate the various ministers of the State. These two buildings, Swarnim Sankul 1 and 2, were proposed on either side of the prestigious Vidhan Sabha Legislative Assembly Building in the Sachivalay complex in Gandhinagar, the capital of the State. The north block would house the Chief Minister, the highest political chair of the State. This required designing spaces that would represent the State – a personification of Gujarat.

Catering to the needs of all people meant creating spaces where persons of diverse backgrounds could all feel comfortable, regardless of their familiar luxurious or austere environment. This conscious effort was manifested by tugging at the cultural roots of the state - integrating various traditional crafts, commissioned art and motifs inspired by the heritage of the state rather than simply duplicating corporate norms and practices of design. Each space, regardless of hierarchy, would encourage encounters with some element that was innately from Gujarat – the beadwork or textiles, the idea of industries of the state, the various festivals, the different dialects of the Gujarati language, etc

The first of its kind, the building was to be modern and technologically advanced, creating a benchmark for other government office buildings. The larger intent was to create spaces wherein users – both the ministers and public – could relate to and be reminded of their Gujarati culture and heritage which in turn could instill in them a sense of accountability, responsibility and pride for their homeland.