--- title: "Educational & Community Architecture by Spasm Design" description: "We design community spaces and educational institutions that prioritize atmosphere and sustainability. Explore our projects like Sanskriti Vihara and Mandvi Science Lab." canonical: https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/architectural-design/spaces-for-learning-community last_updated: 2025-08-20 --- # Thoughtful Spaces for Learning and Community Tribe Verified · Institutional and community architecture across India. By [Spasm Design](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects) · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Andheri West, Mumbai · ₹450 per sq. ft. (estimate) Part of [Architectural Design](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/architectural-design). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/spasmdesignarchitects/architectural-design/gallery) Architecture that shapes experience. We build schools, pavilions, and communal hubs where light, function, and atmosphere come together to foster growth and connection. ## Photos and videos - ![A render of Sanskriti Vihara in Bombay, a school that is an ancient modern idea. The design allows students to walk the facade of their school, finding their own path from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/03da908f-2c5c-443f-a8b2-506a59fe97db) - [Video: Sanskriti Vihara is an art of framing time. Reaching completion after over 10 years, we hope the space touches the souls of those who walk its stepped facade and discover their inner selves.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/057f3221-b7bf-45a5-a437-25c886c99b95) - ![The intricate, diamond patterned facade of Sanskriti Vihara, now in construction. This ancient modern idea is a way to reinterpret our glorious past and our way of life. Architecture has immense power.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/067adc57-ecc1-4764-b173-a8f3da99a057) - ![An elemental gallery and party space, finished in seamless gray concrete. The architecture takes a relaxed approach, allowing atmosphere and people to make the space, which can transform for exhibits, music, and get togethers of every kind.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0e5e4c52-4716-4f68-bdb8-f681f60fb7ff) - ![The Durall Pavilion was designed as a place to pause, a respite from the cacophony of an exhibition. It is a black, mesh clad folly that could be a church, a meditation hall, or an aviary. It is a space for peace.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1cd1a332-6956-41b1-b6c0-7f7b4b8f6e81) - ![The lower floor of Sanskriti Vihara, where meditation halls are formed by modular concrete arches. Repetition, a key strategy of our ancient monuments, is used here to create a powerful, rhythmic space below grade.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/23db29b0-36aa-498b-9f90-b47ed96fec2c) - ![The Durall Systems Pavilion was a temporary build, an all black expanded mesh form connecting two extra large minimal windows. It framed a line of light vertically and a garden horizontally, becoming a place for quiet introspection.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/34028cdd-4c93-4fc9-a4c1-724ee8a44004) - [Video: Our science lab for girls in Mandvi, Kutch, was a philanthropic gesture. Built on a tight site, we devised a mechano kind of build with a steel frame and breathing walls made of terracotta cones, handcrafted by local potters.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3ab29141-ca57-499d-9d31-6936db75ff4e) - ![A view into the Durall Pavilion, where a single table lamp illuminates the dark, moody interior. The space was designed to showcase windows by creating an atmosphere of peace and focus.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3ad34784-3366-44cd-89c4-0403ebd8076e) - ![A look through the garden into the black mesh form of the Durall Pavilion. The temporary structure was designed as a folly, a place of respite that could be a church, a meditation hall, or simply a beautiful space to pause.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4feae4cd-800c-4cea-9591-b21a5ab03d07) - ![The interior of the Durall Pavilion, where a horizontal window frames a lush garden. The all black space becomes a quiet backdrop, allowing the view and the people within it to become the focus.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5f3d1788-22aa-4b33-a0f6-7d45c428dec4) - ![The communal table in our elemental gallery space. The room is designed to be highly adaptable, with seamless gray concrete surfaces and dramatic lighting that can be configured for parties, exhibitions, or gatherings.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/61fb7a4c-0be3-44fc-8b3e-95b231d60f6a) - ![The floating staircase and communal table define this gallery and party space. The architecture is intentionally relaxed, creating a versatile canvas where atmosphere and people are the main event.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6295e797-4b7c-45ff-a33c-5e8ea9ce5331) - [Video: The concrete arches of Sanskriti Vihara create a powerful rhythm in the below grade meditation halls. This project, won in a competition, is very close to our hearts and reinterprets ancient Indian architectural strategies.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/63f481da-f30c-4e47-a712-b5cd2398afa1) - ![A render showing the grand scale of the Sanskriti Vihara facade, with its network of stairs and landings overlooking a large pool. It is an ancient modern idea, a return to our glorious past.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/764f2496-374d-4b6e-bea3-dd9c656f556d) - ![A closer look at the facade of Sanskriti Vihara. The design is a reinterpretation of our way of life, allowing one to walk the facade and find their own path to enlightenment.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/797d31c4-28d9-4d87-9c9c-4e4a16286ced) - ![A black and white photograph of the Durall Pavilion. The temporary structure was designed as a place of pause and quiet introspection amidst the noise of a large product exhibition.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7d46703a-ea4f-485e-98b4-894e81a6fe7b) - ![The modular arched units of Sanskriti Vihara under construction. This 6 by 6 meter unit was found capable of satisfying all the spatial needs of the institution, from meditation halls to classrooms.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/837d16ba-72d8-49fc-a32c-aef7a826008a) - ![Another view of the Durall Pavilion, captured in black and white. The space, though temporary, was designed with the same principle as all our architecture: it must allow for pause and reflection.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8c52812a-68e8-467b-aefc-bf365aa5bf46) - ![The suspended staircase in our elemental gallery space. The design uses a mix of wood, steel, and concrete to create a modern, industrial feel that is both raw and refined.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/90ec0b87-dd9e-42dc-ac08-16e28069bd3e) - ![A full view of the Sanskriti Vihara render, showing the stepped facade, arched windows, and rooftop greenery. This project is a testament to the immense power of architecture to inspire and elevate.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/96340aa9-b4f8-4bb9-8727-631285fb0189) - [Video: We are honored to be the design architects for the new state of the art JNIS Campus in Juhu, Mumbai. This is our vision for a world class, contemporary Indian institution that fosters sustainability and a belief in our unique roots.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/972775f1-e89a-4292-afbc-03ee80bb0c6d) - [Video: Our installation at the ADFF and STIR festival at NCPA, Bombay. We chose to connect the ancient space of rock cut Chaityas with bamboo and jute, materials seen on every street as we rebuild our city. It is our truth, our space, our soul.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9a22eeb6-6afe-4718-be54-a18dbb8f7d7c) - ![A woman opens a large pivoting door in the Durall Pavilion, revealing the garden beyond. The pavilion was a temporary folly, a place to pause and find peace amidst the chaos of an exhibition.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a221f2c0-d492-4c0a-8efc-ec8724cb3a1f) - ![The interior of the Durall Pavilion, where a vertical line of light acts as a focal point. The dark, mesh clad space creates a dramatic atmosphere for showcasing products and hosting events.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ade8d57e-a162-417b-a3de-9e1bdb885fc5) - ![A line drawing showing the structural framework of a new project. The inquiry here is about the relationship between a tall and a squat opening, and how the resultant shape becomes a habitable space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c03f313b-cc83-4d39-bf70-3a9c5878616d) - ![The raw concrete arches of Sanskriti Vihara during construction. This modular system, inspired by ancient monuments, forms the single cell unit of the entire building, creating a powerful and rhythmic interior.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c42bc5e9-e99b-4ba3-886e-7a24a0df92b9) - ![Another view of the concrete arches at Sanskriti Vihara. The lower floor meditation halls are below grade, opening onto a rainwater harvesting reservoir, connecting the spiritual space with the natural element of water.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d535faa1-5899-42ac-a75b-6273a37119e5) - ![The Durall Pavilion's vertical window frames a line of light, almost like a temple to a saber. This temporary installation was designed to be a place of quiet introspection, a core tenet of all our architectural work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/daf6ee55-5d96-4250-8477-f96dcdeba51a) - [Video: The line of light, a metaphorical spirit of nature. In our pavilion, a giant glass door opens to the everglow of this spirit, because for us, Nature is God.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e5685239-59aa-40bb-8a22-9cada149eb1f) - ![The Durall Pavilion at night, a dark, contemplative space framing a brightly lit garden. It was designed as a respite, a place to pause and reflect, whether you see it as a church, an aviary, or a bar.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e7d1088b-b706-40d2-8b41-ae9785862ded) - ![The complex scaffolding required to construct the arched forms of Sanskriti Vihara. This project, won in competition 8 years ago, is like a ship on soil, a testament to engineering and architectural vision.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/efcc76aa-3557-4c70-9b92-63a2b6b14030) - ![A view from inside the Durall Pavilion, where a single person pauses by the vertical window. The all black mesh form creates a space for quiet, allowing the garden and the light to become the focus.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f01fc6a4-91f0-414c-aa9f-f66867100895) - [Video: A pavilion, coming soon to NCPA, Mumbai. This installation for the ADFF and STIR festival will be a must visit for anyone enthused by relevant stories that capture the Indian diaspora in film and architecture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f3ca1fc5-4431-491f-b24e-de6112fd1d49) - ![The corner of a concrete arch at Sanskriti Vihara. The raw, powerful geometry of the structure is evident even during the construction phase, hinting at the monumental space to come.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f969b548-7650-4aef-8d93-2e90e05391c3) - ![A render of the Sanskriti Vihara facade, showing the intricate network of staircases that allow one to traverse the building's exterior. It is an ancient modern idea, a reinterpretation of our history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fd7c7f18-4d6a-4f4c-bc68-76eff896bf85) ## About Spaces for Learning & Community We do not just draft blueprints; we create environments that encourage curiosity. For Sanskriti Vihara, we interpreted ancient step-well architecture into a modern school facade, allowing students to physically walk the building exterior. It turns architecture into a daily journey of learning, moving from the shade of structure into the light of knowledge. We view institutions not as containers for function, but as catalysts for human interaction. Our process remains rooted in the listener's approach. We observe how people move, how light enters a room, and how the local climate dictates the building's skin. Whether it is a science lab in Mandvi or a temporary pavilion for reflection, we believe in material honesty. For our institutional projects, we often utilize modular structural grids. This is not just for speed; it allows us to create rhythmic, repetitive spaces that echo historical Indian monuments while keeping construction costs manageable through the use of local materials like terracotta and fly ash. Our approach to learning spaces focuses on three pillars: * **Climate Responsiveness:** We design for passive cooling. Breathing walls made of terracotta cones or brick jaalis ensure that buildings remain comfortable without heavy reliance on artificial climate control. * **Integration of Nature:** A school should not feel like a factory. We prioritize courtyards and large overhangs that pull the outside in, ensuring students always have a connection to the sky and earth. * **Community Centricity:** We design halls and pavilions that serve dual purposes, capable of hosting community gatherings, exhibitions, or quiet introspection. We build for the long term. Our institutional designs are meant to age gracefully, developing a patina that tells the story of the generations who passed through them. ## About Spasm Design We are a Mumbai-based studio that treats architecture as an art of framing time and atmosphere. We don't chase trends; we listen to the site and build stories that prioritize the soul of a space over flashy design. 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