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Ashadeep Vidyashram: Architecture for Community

byMeeta Jain ArchitectsVisit Studio in Sanjayanagar; Projects across Bengaluru & IndiaStarts from₹350 ₹ per sq. ft. of Carpet AreaView full gallery

A rural school built from the earth up, designed to be a playful, sustainable haven for learning. This project centers around an intimate courtyard that fosters connection and joy within the village.

I am filled with deep gratitude that our project, Ashadeep Vidyashram, was recognized at the Wade Asia Awards for its sustainable design. The true award, however, is seeing the joy and pride with which the children inhabit this playful spaceship of dreams.

The central courtyard at Ashadeep School transforms into a hearth for the community during the 'Thandd Bhagao' night. This is what I strive for: creating spaces that are not just functional but also serve as the heart of communal life and celebration.

During its construction, the anticipation for Ashadeep School was palpable. The rising brick walls, with their playful crenellations, stood as a promise to the children of the village who eagerly watched their new school take shape.

The details of the exposed brickwork at Ashadeep School were a labor of love, especially for a long-distance project in a remote village. The curved walls and patterned brick screens were designed to create a sense of warmth and texture.

The form of the Ashadeep School, seen here rising from the earth, is a composition of simple, strong shapes. The circular window and open staircase were designed to be playful and engaging elements for the young students.

Every opening in the Ashadeep School was carefully considered. The circular and arched windows are not just for light and air; they are playful 'eyes' that frame views of the surrounding village and create a connection to the world outside.

The upper level of the Ashadeep School features a rhythmic pattern of brick piers. This detail adds a layer of texture and complexity to the facade while maintaining the honest, robust character of the locally sourced brick.

About Ashadeep Vidyashram: Architecture for Community

Building in a remote village like Varanasi requires more than just a blueprint; it demands deep collaboration and a respect for local resources. We centered the design on exposed brickwork and a courtyard layout that naturally encourages airflow and community interaction. This approach wasn't about imposing a structure, but rather creating a sanctuary that the students and teachers could feel proud to inhabit every day.

Award-winning sustainable design in rural Varanasi. — Approved by the tribe
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Meeta Jain Architects

Visit Studio in Sanjayanagar; Projects across Bengaluru & IndiaStarts from ₹350 ₹ per sq. ft. of Carpet Area

We believe architecture is a dialogue with the environment and the people who inhabit it. With projects like Ashadeep Vidyashram, our mission is to craft spaces that serve as living ecosystems, fostering education and community growth through honest, sustainable design.

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The exterior view of the school highlights its spherical massing and the intricate terracotta screen. The curved form softens the building's scale, while the open ground floor invites movement and interaction, connecting the structure to its surroundings.6
The central courtyard acts as the building's green heart, with multi-level balconies overlooking the garden. This application of biophilic design principles creates a calming and restorative environment for students and staff.
This close-up view emphasizes the textural quality of the terracotta jali screen against the smooth, curved wall. The careful articulation of materials is a signature of our practice, adding depth and character to the building's façade.
An early conceptual render of the project, envisioning a public plaza with stepped seating. This illustrates our design process, which prioritizes the creation of vibrant community spaces from the initial stages of development.

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Shadow play at the Talaricheruvu Rural School. The bamboo canopy and perforated jaali walls create a constantly changing pattern of light, making the space dynamic and engaging for the children.20
A classroom at the Talaricheruvu Rural School. We used simple, cost-effective materials and design features like geometric jaali screens to create learning spaces that are bright, well-ventilated, and joyful.
The classrooms are designed with large windows and jaali screens that allow for cross-ventilation and balanced natural light, creating a comfortable learning environment even in a hot climate.
The climate in Talaricheruvu can reach 48 degrees Celsius. The extensive canopy, made from over 12,000 locally sourced bamboo poles, provides crucial shade and respite from the summer heat.

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Our 'Sanskriti Vihara' project in Bombay, currently in construction. It is an ancient-modern idea, a reinterpretation of our way of life, where one can walk the facade of their school.7
Another rendering of 'Sanskriti Vihara'. The unique, walkable facade is a metaphor for finding one's own path from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge.
A rendering of 'Sanskriti Vihara' showing the stepped facade and pool. The design is a return to our glorious past, reinterpreted for modern learning.

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Spasm DesignTakes projects across India; Visit studio in Andheri West, Mumbai
The shaded central courtyard of Buddhi School in Bengaluru, a vibrant hub for outdoor activities and play. The building's C-shaped plan was designed to create this protected space, using the structure itself to shield children from the harsh sun.45
Children playing on a rope bridge in the soft earth play area at Buddhi School. We believe learning happens everywhere, so we incorporate playscapes and interactive elements directly into the school's design.
A toddler interacts with the circular windows along a boundary wall at Buddhi School. We use simple, playful architectural details like these to engage children's curiosity and create a stimulating environment.
The main entrance of Buddhi School, showcasing the warm texture of compressed stabilised earth block (CSEB) masonry. The entire school is designed to be fully accessible and was built on existing rock to minimize foundation costs and preserve the natural landscape.

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The RBANMS classroom extension next to the playground. The lightweight steel structure and simple materials were chosen to be economical and quick to erect, minimizing disruption to the school.

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A closer look at the Anganwadi floor plan, showing how I organized the space to support the daily routines of the children. By creating separate areas for different activities, from play to rest, I designed a seamless flow that makes the building intuitive and easy to use, proving that clever planning is the foundation of good architecture.

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