Drawing On The Past To Redefine The Future

In today’s increasingly competitive world, schools are constantly under pressure to provide the best for their students – be it in curriculum or in their physical environment and facilities. This becomes even more pronounced when the students happen to come from around the world, making the school a melting pot of cultures. What, then, is a culturally appropriate design for a school that is inclusive, state-of-the-art, and yet embraces sustainability? As a response to these musings, and catering to the diverse expatriate community in New Delhi’s diplomatic enclave, The British School by Morphogenesis draws inspiration from Indian traditional architectural techniques to offer a truly world-class learning environment that is yet rooted in its context.

- Sharmila Chakravorty

There is no dearth of research and reports that indicate the importance of holistic education. Plus, there is unprecedented competition today, not only for our children but also their schools. Naturally, schools are stepping up their game like never before. This includes both, the way they design their curriculum, and the physical infrastructure they provide. And so it comes as no surprise that there is now an increasing demand for an architecturally appropriate school building, complete with well-thought-out, well-designed spaces that aid students’ all-round development.

And yet, there is a paradox here. Often, the response to this demand is a building that scores high on aesthetics, guzzles up energy to offer an air-conditioned, sanitized environment that is typically associated with an ‘international’ feel. But is this the best type of school for our children? Moreover, is it the best possible option in terms of terms of sustainability, architecture and design?

Morphogenesis’ design for The British School in New Delhi presents a design thinking that attempts to defy the norm. The school has students from over 55 nationalities, making it a truly diverse assortment of curious minds eager to be shaped. Thus, the design had to be socio-culturally inclusive, creating an atmosphere that fosters social cohesion. The design thus resonates with the School’s motto – An international education with an Indian soul. With this motto as the guideline that informed and shaped the design, the architecture makes a compelling case for a renaissance in the school-building typology.