Zilla Parishad School, Utre

Through our visit to Utre village in Kolhapur, we observed patterns in both the houses and the daily lives of the villagers. These patterns strongly influence how spaces are shaped and used, ultimately defining the overall living environment. Some of the observations that stood out are listed below. 

During our visit to the existing village school, which we were tasked to redesign as part of the design module, it became evident that students largely learn by observing their surroundings. Their understanding develops through lived experiences and through interaction with their peers and the village people. For the redesign of the school, i took this existing method of learning and wanted it to get translated through my design. 

Through my pattern study, I also understood that the idea of 'Overlooking' is present in the village, emerging from the way houses are built along the topography.

Taking the ideas of 'Overlooking' and 'Interactive Learning' as the foundation, I began to develop the design. During the study, it also became evident that the school functions as more than just an educational space. In the mornings, it operates as a school, while in the evenings it transforms into a playground. During the afternoons, it serves as a place for rest, and the houses along its boundary extend their daily activities into the school premises. Community events and festivals are also held here, making the school an active node within the village.

Building on this idea, I observed many elderly people sitting at the thresholds of their houses, engaging in conversations with passersby, often due to a lack of companionship. This led to the thought that the redesigned school could become a space where they can come, interact with children, share their knowledge, and also learn from them. 

To design the school around these ideas, I mainly focused on using steps and level differences as key spatial elements 

The existing school images

Design process

However, these ideations tend to diminish the intent of overlooking, reducing it to the act of viewing. 

This new ideation resulted in a built mass that created internal overlooking within the structure, but lacked any connection with its surroundings. I also tried integrating the structure in the landscape but still lack the connection.

Final Plan

Model