Bulbul Balak Mandir
An Architectural Playground for a Montessori
Area: 9650 sq.ft.
Architecture, Interior & Landscape. June 2020
In a rare instance where the design brief demanded literal playfulness and function. The 9650 sq.ft of Montessori is a ground plus two floor structure of fun and frolic. Served by a winding staircase and a slide in the centre, the levels within the building are connected by bridges along with the circulation spine. Located on a very lush patch of land, the pre-school boasts of large yards that frame the building.
​Although bold in its presence, the building is fitted with sliding gates that disappear thus making the entire floor a part of the playground.
The interiors of the building are lit by a large skylight which provides diffused lighting throughout the day thus minimizing the need of windows and the hazards thereof.
​The choice of materials is informed by the activity and the context. The building's cladding is mostly natural wood, topped by sliding doors at the bottom and a beam at the top.
When the doors of the school are open, the structure looks like a floating cloud amidst the thicket.
