Fact File
Location: Ras, Rajasthan
Size: 8640 sq m
Principal Architects: Sanjay Puri, and Neena Puri
Photography by: Dinesh Mehta

The Rajasthan School by Sanjay Puri Architects is characterised by a semi-sheltered courtyard with multiple angular pathways. Imbibing the organic character of Indian villages and old cities, the Rajasthan School is a low-rise, three-level building with open, enclosed, and semi-enclosed spaces of varying volumes. Taking cognisance of the desert climate of its location, with temperatures over 35°C for most of the year, each classroom is north-oriented to derive indirect sunlight. The auditorium, primary school, and administration space occupy the southern side of the plot, opening into a large, sheltered open area towards the north, beyond which the secondary school classrooms, library, and cafeteria are located. The organic layout gives a different character to each part of the school, orienting each space with different views and perceptions. This project derives its character from the organic old cities, with an informal layout and interspersed open and enclosed volumes designed in response to the hot climate, creating a school that is exploratory in multiple ways.

The semi-sheltered courtyard has multiple angular pathways, connecting the two parts of the school with landscaped play spaces that foster engagement. Traversed by a series of linear trapezoidal frames and sun-breakers, this focal area has a constantly changing shadow pattern depending on the sun’s direction throughout the day. The layout is intentionally fragmented, allowing open landscaped spaces to be interspersed with the school’s learning spaces. The entire school opens towards a multipurpose playground and athletics track on the northern side. The circulation is through open, naturally ventilated corridors traversing and skirting the focal, semi-sheltered landscaped court in the centre. Angled vertical walls act as sun breakers to reduce heat gain from the east, west, and south sides, generating cool internal spaces. The complete electrical power requirement is generated by the residual energy of a cement plant nearby. In addition, the entire water supply is recycled and reused. The building, by its design, is thus energy efficient.