Impacting through design

Architect V. Vishwanath ingeniously designs structures to meet the unique needs of urban slum children and senior citizens, prioritizing comfort and functionality.

Any built space comes with two key expectations — comfort and functionality. The design opted to construct the space determines the functional characteristics. The same design can also positively or negatively impact the comfort exuded by the space and, in turn, the productivity as well as the emotional quotient while operating out of that space.

Recognising this key role of design, architect V. Vishwanath of YV Architects has ingeniously crafted two structures to address the unique needs of the two most vulnerable segments of the population, the urban slum children and the senior citizens where a sizeable number are financially as well as physically challenged to meet their daily needs.

In the year 2018, Vishwanath faced the task of altering the dilapidated structure of a government school in Bengaluru. Running his eye through the spaces, he decided to raze the structure to the ground and rebuild the school with an area of 28,000 sq. ft. on a 7,000 sq. ft. site. The four-storeyed structure with its brick clad facade was then meticulously designed to create a space that would be interactive, usher in plenty of natural light with expansive corridors, where the young students feel the expanse of space even in the small site.

A central sky-lit space going up four storeys was thus keyed in, which serves as the assembly point for the school to host programmes as well as double up as an internal well-lit space to interact during the day and partake in the lunch served. Strategically placed hot-air vents ensure the interiors are naturally cool. “This central courtyard of 2,000 sq. ft. literally serves as the spine, connecting visually across the four floors while giving a sense of openness to the interactive zone and the offices and kitchen that enclose it at ground level,” says Vishwanath.

Every floor comes with a set of neatly designed toilets for both genders, addressing a key problem that many government schools face. Each of the classrooms is designed based on the age group of the students using the space, with copious natural light and ventilation seeping in through the large openings and the right orientation.

The interiors also come with sensitive designs to meet the needs of the students, such as metal wires on the ceiling to display each student’s project and artwork, scribble boards on the lower segment of the walls for younger children, the seating and tables specifically designed to cater to the relevant age group occupying each classroom. At the kindergarten, the walls display paintings of nature, birds and animals to capture the curiosity of the children while serving as a visual learning tool.

Besides the classrooms, the four-floor structure packs an auditorium with 150 seating capacity, a music room, a library, and a skill centre. While the large openings limit power consumption, the building goes further green by having 50 per cent of its power consumption met by solar power.