STUDIO V
INSTITUTION
PREFACE
While artists work from real to the abstract, architects must work from the abstract to the real. Architecture,beneath all its limitations of engineering, safety, function, climate and economy, presents us with designs in space and light achieved in the abstract.Architecture is a passion, a vocation, a calling. It has been described as a social art and also an artful science and must be of the highest quality of design.Architecture provides, in the words of Marcus Vitruvius, the great Roman architect and historian, “firmness,commodity and delight. Firmness refers to structural integrity and durability; Commodity refers to spatial functionality or in other words, “serving its purpose” and fulfilling the function for which the building was constructed; Delight means that the building is not only aesthetically and visually pleasing, but also lifts the spirits and stimulates the senses.
An institution is a building devoted to a specific purpose, program and user group, for instance, an institute hasa purpose of educating and training and requires an environment that shapes the self-esteem, performance,efficiency of the user and is inclusive in all aspects.For an inclusive design, diversity and uniqueness of each individual should be kept in mind. From the selection of colors to the arrangement and allocation of the rooms, inclusive design should consider all these factors and more to create a space/structure accessible to everyone. The different constraints make an architect sharpen their focus, evaluating all the possible solutions while looking at the project from a different perspective.
INTRODUCTION
This studio gives you an opportunity to design an institute for 150-200 children with special intellectual needs namely ASD, ADHD, Down Syndrome, hearing and visual impairment and autism.The design of the institute should be user-friendly encompassing the aspects of climatic and topographic conditions with a comfortable environment and sensible response to the site. Before designing this institute, one should understand the end users and the complexity of fusing functions that cater to different aspects of designing a space. Due to special education students’ wide range of needs, design resource rooms and self-contained special education classrooms not only to accommodate, but also to maximize each child’s potential. These welcoming and inclusive rooms must be accessible in a way that the layout enables teachers and professionals to access student areas easily. The circulation must be minimized to reduce the physical work of the students. The
choice of material, lighting, ventilation and overall language of the building should create an appropriate environment for better learning.
Site : Haripark School, Tragad, Godrej Garden City, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
PROGRAMMATIC REQUIREMENTS
All spaces should be naturally lit and well ventilated, fire protected and well equipped keeping in mind the user group. The institute should consist of classrooms for (maximum 20 students each), a library, kitchen and dining area, computer lab, Audio-Visual room, multipurpose hall to accommodate all students, an indoor and an outdoor play area and therapy rooms. The following rooms are required to cater to the special needs of the students :
Sensory Room
It is a space for focus and should be placed in such a way that it should receive minimum sound from outside. It should have adequate space for students to move freely. Traditionally, the room should be painted white and windows should be darkened as light effects are used. Proper ventilation is needed to prevent the machines from overheating. The equipment requires proper installation in the room. It should be easily accessible.Should provide a safe crisis and de-escalation area.
Therapy Rooms
Comfortable and well equipped rooms are required for :
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Physiotherapy
Behavioral therapy
Dance and music therapy
Aroma therapy
Single or separate rooms may be provided for this.
This studio offers exposure to a brief centered around “difference”, difference in the requirements of the client,difference in how you and the users will interact in this space and difference in how the autistic and dyslexic minds will perceive and experience the built space.
Exposure to sensitive design,
Exposure to a different way of life,
Exposure to new people
All while not only becoming better architects, but also more empathetic, well rounded individuals.
