Creating a Learning Haven: Maharishi Vidya Mandir School

KSM Architecture undertook the design of Maharishi Vidya Mandir School, a CBSE school building located in Periamet, Chennai. Designed to accommodate approximately 2400 children, the school aimed to balance efficiency in construction with the creation of a nurturing and vibrant environment filled with natural light and ventilation, conducive to learning and exploration.

Contextual Considerations

Situated on a 1.6-acre site surrounded by dense residential apartments, a veterinary college, commercial shops, and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the school’s location posed unique challenges. With minimal road frontage and two narrow entry points, careful planning was essential to ensure efficient circulation within the site.

Zoning and Site Integration

The site’s orientation and existing features, including residential towers and trees, influenced the building’s footprint and layout. The design maximized natural ventilation by strategically placing openings on the north and south facades while providing shaded play areas on the west, considering the shadow cast by the school building and neighboring structures.

Thoughtful Planning

The design prioritized creating dynamic and stimulating interior spaces, such as the atrium near the staircase, flooded with natural light and ample airflow. Courtyards between classroom wings extended play areas for kindergarten children while maintaining daylight access. A covered verandah served as a gathering space, utilizing ambient breezes for comfort.

Classroom Design and Façade Innovation

Classrooms were meticulously designed to optimize natural light and ventilation while minimizing noise from corridors. A buffer zone with storage space was incorporated to reduce noise levels, with openable windows above for cross ventilation. The façade, crafted from custom-made fly ash bricks, not only provided protection from sunlight and birds but also contributed to environmental sustainability by reusing waste by-products from thermal electric generation plants.

The Maharishi Vidya Mandir School stands as a testament to thoughtful design, seamlessly blending functionality, sustainability, and a nurturing learning environment for its students.