Schools of Tomorrow, Borkundiya

The design ensures that classrooms and learning spaces are flexible, naturally ventilated, and well-lit. The schools are arranged in clusters of different blocks, like a Nursery-Primary Block, a Middle-High School Block which divides the spaces to the needs of the respective age groups.

Given the extreme climatic conditions of the region, temperature regulation was a key design consideration to ensure a comfortable learning environment for students and staff. The school has incorporated several passive cooling strategies like the use of fly ash bricks and AAC blocks for improved thermal insulation. The windows to the classrooms are specially designed recessed windows to control daylight ingress, eliminating the need for external chhajjas. The windows will reflect harsh sunlight and allow diffused light to enter the classrooms, and prevent any harsh shadows and excessive light from entering the areas. This in result creates a well curated and learning conducive environment for the students and will improve overall focus and attention spans.

Ensuring equal access for all students was a fundamental aspect of the design. Vibrant color schemes in shades of yellow and orange have been used to stimulate creativity and make learning spaces more playful and approachable for the students. Ramps on all floors for seamless movement between the blocks and for ease of accessibility for all students. The ramps envelope around the school blocks and creates a distinctive visual feature for the school. Tactile flooring and clear signage for differently abled students.

The Schools of Tomorrow are a cluster of new-age schools aimed at redefining the government education infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh.

The school in Borkundiya is located in the centre of a depressed contoured site in a tribal area. The location and site contours have guided the overall design. The design has a strong emphasis on sustainability, ensuring the existing landscape is protected.

• The site had a local sacred tree in the centre of the planned layout and to protect the local landscape and context the blocks of the school were designed in a way to create a separate space for the community to come visit the sacred tree. The intervention segregated the public space while providing safety and privacy for the school students.
• Terrace farming was done on the depressed contours around the school, utilising the natural terrain of the site to increase the landscaping in the area. A program of 'learn and grow with nature' is included to encourage the students to participate in growing and maintaining the school landscape and for them to build a stronger relationship with their surroundings.
• The depressed site was also utilized to create a rainwater harvesting system with the collection tanks at the lowermost contours near the school, reducing any unnecessary manmade interventions.
• Other spaces like: Multi-purpose halls for sports, gatherings, and community events. Vocational training centers for skill development. Playgrounds and landscaped courtyards for recreation and informal learning. Library spaces that encourage reading and independent learning.