Schools of Tomorrow, Shahganj

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

The school in Shahganj is located in an isolated yet picturesque location, surrounded by hills and a small lake. Visited by migratory birds during season, it allows for the school and the students to interact more with the environment.

• The facades of the school have a fun colourful interplay of windows on them. The design was intended to create a more inviting environment for the local students, but also helped create different levels within the same floor. The windows vary in sizes and levels creating storage spaces and seating areas under them, allowing for better utility of spaces. The shades of yellows and oranges on the window frame give a distinctive identity to the Shahganj School.
• The school follows a slightly different colour scheme compared to the majority of the other schools in the Schools of Tomorrow, with the usage of blues and greens. The colours mimic the calming location of the school, and the serenity of learning in nature.
• The design has a strong emphasis on sustainability, ensuring the existing landscape is protected. The existing site trees, and native species were protected and preserved and the design was formed around it.
• 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.

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.