Gurukul, Kerala

Narratives

For students oriented learning

As I am always interested in designing of educational buildings, especially the ones that are trying to break from the conventional system to a more student oriented learning, so I agreed to take up this project. The site bought was located outside of the main urban area of Trivandrum; a rubber plantation on a hill side overlooking an enclosed valley, it is about 3 acres of land. The site was terraced with natural outcrops of occasional rock formation. The land dictated the layout of the buildings by it contours and slopes. The classrooms would need to follow the contours with circulation spine being perpendicular to slope.

The concept for the project was self evident after meeting the children and looking at the site - the entire school complex had to be low rise buildings that has a residential feel rather than an institutional looking building. In keeping with the gradient of the land, link the buildings with bridges and covered walkways to keep the children out of the hot sun and the heavy monsoon while opening to the outdoors intimately with the rooms by providing corridors that overlook the valley. Also, the vernacular design language of the ‘Padmanabapuram Palace Complex’ architectural style with its sloped walls and deep overhanging eves that are in keeping with the climatic challenges of Kerala was the way to go…..

The rooms instead of being the conventional rectangular class rooms laid in a row along a circulation spine tend to be ‘L’ or ‘T’ shaped to allow for the informal and child centred philosophy of education that was being followed. Creation of transition spaces within the circulation spine that would allow for informal learning spaces that was essential for the continuity of the learning process. To offset the palette of earth tones with the exposed bricks and Mangalore tiles, we played with colours for all the frames, grills, the truss of the roof and in the cement floors. This creates a pleasing contrast to the dense greenery of the hills around with the rubber trees. Presently, only the first phase of the complex has been built with 3 blocks of buildings which are interconnected. But as the complex grows with the number of children in the school, facilities will be added. Already some of the sports activities happen in semi-permanent structures. As the age groups are mixed in the classes, the rooms had to provide for it. Presently there are 6 class rooms, a science laboratory and knowledge centre with library/communication centre, administration and ancillary facilities, which is just about adequate for the number of children that are there in the school. It is small, but then lot of great things started small! In the next phase it is envisaged to add the sports, an auditorium and at least another 8 class rooms.
The school comprises three blocks supported by slanting pillars and red tiled roofs, each blocks is done in a different colour- Red, Blue, Green with yellow being the dominating colour woven into it.

The first phase has received enthusiastic response not only from the children but also from the parents and teachers.

Gurukul

Asha Panikkar (she was motivated to make a difference in a medium size town of India where there is no choice in terms of ‘Education’ for the children).

Deepa Krishnakumar who teaches there ‘We all share an emotional attachment with our students. I look forward meeting my students after every weekend. I miss them so much at times. It’s only because there are only limited students (8-10) in the class and they (the teachers) have one to one relationship with the students. My students even share their small problems with me. It’s the same with the other teachers too. The students here like to be taken out for nature walks. The little kids are always seen in the tree house, their favorite spot. Experiments being done outside are really useful for them. In a nut shell, the students love to come to the school and indeed they have a nice time.’

Creativity is encouraged with the child able to see nature in its pristine purity . Sharing and caring is a motive which the students have enthusiastically imbibed. Gardening is an activity where the value of physical labour and oneness with Nature is learnt. Value education imparted in Natures lap , leaves an indelible impression on the students mind.
With a caring management, dedicated staff, cooperative parents, and sprightly students; ‘The Gurukul’ strives to be a role model in the field of education.

Teaching in these beautiful surrounding with so many teaching materials available naturally is any teacher’s dream.