Concentric green mind

Project idea

This school design is rooted in the belief that children should not be confined within walls. Learning should be an exploration—an interaction with the environment that nurtures curiosity, joy, and freedom. The idea is to create a school where students are not locked in rigid classrooms but can move, observe, touch, and learn directly from nature. It envisions a child-friendly, green campus that merges education with ecological awareness, making the outdoors an essential part of the classroom.

Project description

The project proposes a Higher Secondary School on an 8.84-acre site in Sholinganallur, Chennai. The design moves away from traditional, enclosed classroom blocks and instead integrates open and semi-open spaces, courtyards, interactive green pockets, and play-based learning zones.

Nature becomes a teacher—every garden, tree, and open walkway is an opportunity to explore and grow. Classrooms are connected to shaded outdoor spaces; transitions between built and open areas are fluid, encouraging constant movement and sensory learning.

The layout encourages freedom of flow, both physically and mentally, with large windows, courtyards, and green buffers designed to bring in natural light, ventilation, and calming views. The architecture supports emotional well-being and creativity while also embedding sustainability through eco-sensitive materials and rainwater harvesting systems.

Technical information

Site Area: 35,800 sq.m (8.84 acres)

Location: Sholinganallur, Chennai (Coordinates: 12.875944, 80.222206)

Zoning: Institutional

Max Building Height: 18.3 meters

FSI: 2

Plot Coverage: Max 60%

Setbacks: Minimum 6m on all sides

Abutting Road Width: 15 meters

Program Summary

Classrooms: 36 (Grades 1–12), 60 sq.m each

Admin Block: 140 sq.m

Labs: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer

Creative Rooms: Music, Dance, Art & Craft

Library: 380–600 sq.m

Multipurpose Hall: 370 sq.m

Common Areas: Dining Hall, Kitchen, Medical Room, Toilets, Staff Area

Outdoor Spaces:

Central courtyard and garden spaces

Playground (10,000–12,000 sq.m)

Basketball and Volleyball Courts

Nature-based learning spaces

Wooden Pavilion for outdoor classes, storytelling, yoga, and group interaction


Parking:

10 Buses (30-seater)

20 Cars

45 Two-wheelers

220 Bicycles


Sustainability & Passive Cooling Features

Rainwater Harvesting System:
Integrated throughout the site via recharge pits and underground storage, especially in open courtyards and pavilion zones. Helps conserve water and improve groundwater levels.

Fly Ash Bricks:
Used for wall construction to reduce heat transfer and improve insulation.

Lime Plaster Finish:
Breathable and moisture-regulating, keeping indoor temperatures lower in humid conditions.

High Albedo Roof Tiles:
Light-colored, reflective tiles reduce rooftop heat absorption.

Green Roofs & Rooftop Gardens:
Above administrative and library blocks to buffer solar radiation and provide insulation.

Cross Ventilation:
Achieved through large operable windows placed opposite each other in classrooms, enhanced with vertical voids and open corridors.

Deep Overhangs & Verandahs:
Reduce solar heat gain on facades and provide shaded walkways for students between blocks.

Earth Air Tunnels (optional site feature):
Channels that bring in pre-cooled air from underground ducts to reduce indoor temperatures naturally.


Wooden Pavilion

The open-air pavilion, constructed with sustainably sourced timber, provides a shaded, breezy space for informal learning, workshops, and play. Its light structure allows easy flow of air and dappled sunlight, aligning with the school’s concept of breaking boundaries between built spaces and nature. It acts as a transition zone between indoor classrooms and the outdoors—encouraging students to feel free, calm, and connected to the environment.

Documentation

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