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.
