In the ever-evolving landscape of education, architects are playing a pivotal role in shaping learning environments that foster creativity, collaboration, and a deep connection to the natural world. Alpana Gupta, Partner at the renowned Vijay Gupta Architects (VGA), has embraced this challenge with her work on the GD Goenka Public School in Vasant Kunj. Gupta’s design for the GD Goenka School exemplifies her firm’s commitment to creating spaces that not only meet the functional needs of students and teachers, but also nurture their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By seamlessly integrating natural elements, thoughtful use of color, and dynamic social spaces, Gupta has transformed the educational experience, inspiring students to engage with their surroundings in meaningful and imaginative ways.
Project Spotlight: GD Goenka Public School
The redesign of GD Goenka Public School in Vasant Kunj demonstrates how architecture can transform educational spaces into vibrant, interactive environments that foster learning, interaction, and a sense of belonging. This project presented unique challenges, particularly in adapting spaces to align with post-pandemic educational needs.
A primary challenge involved seamlessly integrating natural elements into the design while ensuring the interiors remained safe and functional. Recognising nature’s powerful role in enhancing the learning experience, we embraced the concept of the “Third Teacher”—the natural world itself. The central atrium was thus envisioned as a tree canopy, where clerestory windows introduce abundant natural light. Circular green acoustic panels, suspended at various heights, simulate a forest canopy, while the courtyard’s flooring features amorphous shapes reminiscent of dappled light filtering through trees. These design elements invite students to interact with their environment, inspiring imagination and creativity.
Transforming corridors from simple passageways into dynamic, engaging spaces was another key challenge. Corridors now serve as zones of expression, featuring playful nooks and creative pockets with wood-panelled parapets, interactive cut-outs, and pin-up boards displaying student artwork. Varied textures introduce a sense of tactility, adding an element of playfulness to the surroundings. Colour selection also played a crucial role; vibrant hues are used in active spaces to energise students while calming wood tones in classrooms foster focus and concentration. Ultimately, this project illustrates how intentional architectural decisions can enhance spaces, creating an environment that fosters learning, connectivity, and a holistic educational experience.
Design Principles: Top 3-5 things to keep in mind while designing for children
When designing for children, there are several key factors we always keep in mind to ensure the spaces are engaging, nurturing, and conducive to both learning and personal growth.
Integration of Landscape
Outdoor spaces play a vital role in children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. For example, the central courtyard at HRM Global School in New Delhi serves as a vibrant green hub that encourages social interactions, brings natural light into interior spaces, and provides a safe, communal area where students can connect and unwind. This landscape integration fosters a sense of well-being, enhances visual connectivity, and instils an appreciation for nature.
Thoughtful Use of Colour
Colours have a powerful impact on mood and focus. When designing spaces for children, we carefully select hues that inspire creativity and promote calm. By balancing stimulating colours in activity zones and soothing tones in learning areas, we can create a visually engaging environment that supports both energy and concentration, enhancing the overall educational experience.
Spaces for Socialisation
Recognising that learning extends beyond the classroom, we design areas that encourage social interaction and collaboration. For instance, HRM Global School’s interconnected layout promotes community-building and communication through visual and physical connectivity among students, fostering an environment where students feel a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
Playgrounds and Open Areas
Playgrounds and open spaces are crucial for children’s holistic growth. They support physical, cognitive, and emotional development, going beyond traditional playgrounds to provide experiential learning opportunities. At the Euro School in Bengaluru, outdoor spaces were designed to encourage students to observe, interact, and explore, building problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence through interaction with nature.
These design principles—landscape integration, colour strategy, social spaces, and play areas—create an enriching environment where children can thrive physically, mentally, and socially.
Creativity & Fun:
Playfulness and creativity are essential in creating spaces where children feel encouraged to learn and explore. To foster a sense of engagement, our designs prioritise freedom of movement and interaction, particularly through innovative spatial layouts.
For instance, at the Vedanya School in Gurugram, we stepped away from traditional classroom structures to create a more open, explorative environment. We aimed to maximise movability and inspire curiosity by incorporating curvilinear layouts, double-height spaces, and interconnected rooms. Unique features like “peekaboo” windows allow students to catch glimpses of other classrooms, inviting a playful element of discovery that promotes self-expression and a sense of interconnectedness.
These playful design choices make the school environment dynamic, interactive, and engaging, encouraging children to take an active role in their learning experience.
Evolving Needs:
As societal and educational norms evolve, so too must the spaces we design for children’s learning. Today’s classrooms must not only meet the academic demands of a dynamic curriculum but also support the holistic development of the child, focusing on mental well-being and seamlessly integrating technology to keep pace with our increasingly digital world. At HRM Global School, we’ve focused on optimising attention spans and enhancing concentration by considering anthropometry, scale, and colour. Our designs go beyond functionality—they respond to the child’s behaviour, creating environments that are engaging, calming, supportive, and invigorating.
In addition, we understand the need to balance technology with nature. For Euro School, we designed a vibrant, green landscaped courtyard at the heart of the school that connects indoor learning spaces with the outdoors. This space encourages social interaction, provides visual connectivity between classrooms, and promotes well-being and safety. By allowing children to engage with nature, we foster their emotional health and deepen their appreciation for the environment.
Sustainability:
Balancing sustainability with design is essential when creating children’s spaces, and even simple yet strategic measures can significantly reduce a building’s environmental impact. At GD Goenka, we optimised natural daylighting through sleek window fittings, reducing the dependency on artificial lighting. Traditional water dispensers were replaced with drinking fountains at varied heights, reducing waste from disposable cups while promoting environmental responsibility.
At Euro School, sustainability is embedded through passive design strategies. Shading devices and strategic building orientation minimise heat gain, eliminating the need for air conditioning. Large glazed openings maximise natural daylight, while the campus operates as a zero-discharge facility, integrating rainwater harvesting and locally sourced, recycled materials to minimise ecological impact.
Vedanya School also utilises passive climate strategies, including deep recesses, balconies, and extensive north-facing glazing to reduce energy use and enhance natural lighting. Together, these sustainable design features create energy-efficient, comfortable learning environments that not only foster environmental awareness but also support a positive and engaging atmosphere for students.
Outlook for the Future: Top 5 Trends in designing spaces for children
The design of spaces for children has evolved substantially, focusing on environments that nurture physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. Some key emerging trends include:
Futuristic and Innovative Design: More schools are designed as forward-thinking, stimulating spaces where children feel inspired to learn. These designs go beyond traditional classrooms, sparking curiosity and engagement, and making the educational experience dynamic and interactive.
Connection with Nature: Recognizing the diminishing presence of nature in urban settings, architects are increasingly integrating natural elements into educational spaces. By incorporating green spaces and sustainable materials, these designs foster a connection with the environment, embedding sustainability as a core value and promoting a harmonious relationship between the built and natural worlds.
Technology Integration: As technology plays a greater role in education, children’s spaces now include digital tools such as smartboards and interactive displays to enhance learning. However, there is a conscious balance, combining tech elements with nature-based experiences to create environments that support digital literacy while fostering a connection to the natural world.
Sensory and Interactive Environments: Designers are creating sensory-rich spaces that encourage exploration and creativity. By incorporating diverse textures, colours, sounds, and even scents, these environments engage multiple senses. Interactive features like touchable surfaces and movable elements stimulate curiosity, promoting hands-on learning and active participation.
These trends reflect a holistic approach to designing children’s spaces, blending innovation, nature, technology, and sensory experiences to create environments where children can thrive in all aspects of development.
Photographs by Studio Noughts & Crosses