Rani Laxmibai Military School for Girls

Narratives

Architect Narrative

Planning Aspect
Owing to the pro-women policies of the Government, the Girl’s Military School was conceptualized.
Initially it was a challenge to design due to certain constraints viz. topography of the land; odd and irregular shape of site and the climate i.e. heavy rainfall. With these aspects as the bottom line theme, a complete
programme was chalked out.

Objectives & Solutions :
The design approach worked out on the basis of part to whole & whole to part in the campus planning.
· Designing an environment conducive to military training of Girls and yet creating a second home
for them.
· Deliberate and effective use of the topographical constraints for the services. e.g. the Elevated
storage reservoir is placed on the highest contour thereby reducing the burden of Overhead Tanks
and thus the pumps required for pumping water.
· Use of natural resources like Stones for construction, Solar panels for heating bathing water
(residences), rain water harvesting, recycling waste-water for landscaping,
· Integrating the Teaching, Non-teaching and Residential areas in a way as to achieve a hierarchy of
public, semi-public and private spaces interspersed with open spaces for interaction. Staggered placement of the structures avoided monotonous design giving rise to a congruent street façade thereby creating small spaces for seating, ottas under large shady trees emanate inter-personal communication in a better way & thereby giving a street of gully look.
· For the continuous & sufficient supply of water, lift irrigation was implemented. Water is lifted from the
canal 2.5 km away from the site with due care as to avoid problems for the adjoining farm owner.
· The use of composite masonry and sloping roofs was a conscious answer to the climatic and topographical conditions.
· The landscape proposal aims at creating an environment that accentuates the ambience at spaces created by the architectural design.
· Residential quarters:
(a) The Principal who also acts as the rector has his residence close to the dormitories. This acts as a
check- point for the dorms.
· The Non-teaching staff Residential quarters are deliberately divided into three zones depending upon:
(a) The distance between the work place and the residence.
(b) Security: They can act as guards at various points of the site.
(c) Interactive spaces: These units are oriented towards a major community open space.