Institutional

Our journey with the City Pride School Moshi is a heartfelt one since it marks our first venture into full-fledged brick exploration projects. Upon our initial visit to the site and hearing the brief for a primary and secondary school, we were immediately drawn to the idea of creating a raw and playful exterior that captures the carefree essence of childhood. It seemed only natural that brick would be the perfect medium for this vision, prompting us to delve into extensive research on various brick exterior projects to craft an innovative and captivating facade, complete with intricate jali designs.

However, our excitement encountered its first hurdle when the directors expressed reservations about the concept of a brick exterior. Thankfully, a visit to a renowned architectural project in Vadodara, Gujarat, showcasing exceptional brickwork, persuaded them to take a leap of faith and trust this experimental process.

The success of the project led to another exciting opportunity: designing the City Pride School in Ravet. While both schools share a similar design ethos, the site conditions here in Moshi allowed us to incorporate ledges, arches, and larger skylights, further enhancing the architectural charm and functionality of the space.

City Pride School, Ravet is a straightforward solution to seamlessly intersect both–the built and the play areas–for a healthy learning atmosphere. Constructed as per CBSE norms, the institute is a playbox of light punctures, colours, and experimental informal spaces. Cohesively designed, the interiors and exteriors prioritise function, strategically balanced with form. The project story unfolds as a tricky challenge to design a brick breakthrough, standing true to its purpose.

Massing Strategy

A sincere attempt to build child development through comprehensive campus planning, the studio thoroughly analyses the site and climate conditions to propose a segregated structure. An intentional web of passages and skylights weaves the classrooms together.

A desirable quality of daylight and ventilation is prioritised to ensure the refreshing mood and energy. Additionally, thoughtful building placement provides glare-free classrooms as well as a well shaded playground for extracurricular activities.

Volumes and Intersections

Indulged in a diverse palette of materials, an inviting double-height volume marks the measurable entry point to the building. Anchored here, is an interesting brick-wall that invites the young occupants to touch, play and count its dynamic layers. This marks the entrance as a congregational pause that a school building demands. A delicate combination of glass-and-metal grid design contrasted with black granite flooring further enhances its breezy, double-height volume.

Small skylight pockets connect to the central spine, illuminating the bright and playfully coloured passages. Dispersed along animated passages, are small seating areas that serve as an easily accessible escape.

Material and Play

Facade design forms the crux of this institutional project. It bears the responsibility to reflect the creative spirit and interiors of the building. Initially, convincing the School Directors for a brick facade was quite the challenge. Fortunately, a round trip to Vadodara, Gujarat for a quick tour of a renowned architectural project with exceptional brickwork finally convinced them of such an experimental facade. Thus began the exploration with exposed brick and jali patterns. The corner detail of the facade is perhaps the most fascinating addition to the design. The bricks are interwoven into each other in such a format that the edges create rhythmic voids.

Books, bricks and banter signify the spirit of City Pride School, Ravet. The innovative aesthetics of brick-play and breathable volumes from the foundation of this school. The structure is modelled to reflect and rebuild child behaviour in an educational environment.