KSV is located in a quiet valley near the city of Dharwad in Karnataka, South India. Established on three acres of land a short distance from Kalkeri Village, the school consists of simple buildings made from traditional materials. KSV provides education in academic subjects, Hindu- stani Classical Music, Bharatanatayam Dance and Drama. In addition, food, accommodation and healthcare are all provided free of cost.
The project for a library, art studio and labs is the first ‘formal’ built structure in the campus. The design intent was to create a layered and adaptable set of spaces for the children, within the constraints of a tight budget, logistics and available resources.
The intent was also to introduce a language, a template that sets out fundmental, sustainable and gentle guidelines to start building on this large wild land.
Program is distributed amongst a cluster of three blocks, arranged around an open court and corridor. This distributes the ‘weight’ of the building both visually and literally. The composition of the blocks and their orientation was an exercise in creating a hierarchy of the masses using simple volumes. Views and perceptions of the spaces are different from each of the blocks.
The in-between spaces become versatile ‘life-spaces’ adaptable to different events, gatherings and outdoor classes. In addition, a long verandah/corridor along the length of the south façade of the complex provides shaded open space, covered by a bamboo slat roof.
It was important to keep the structure as light as possible and yet robust. The two main blocks have a double roof, one vaulted and the other inclined. The vaulted roof has ‘eyelets’- cuts that helps create a passive ventilation cycle. The structure holding up the roof emerges out of these cuts to support the inclined roof above.
Brick jail patterns travel along the walls, keeping the rooms continuously ventilated and adding interesting shadows and textures to the spaces.
Materials used are locally sourced brick and Cuddappah stone. A layer of ‘Mud paint’ gives the buildings their ochre colour, similar to all the other huts around. A mossy blue-green cement ox- ide dado complements the ochre while protecting the bases of the blocks from dirt and grime.
The composition of the blocks, their orientation and organization was an exercise in creating a hierarchy of the masses using these very simple volumes. The views and perceptions of the spaces are different from each of the blocks. Also, a small ‘piazza’ opens up within the cluster, which is positioned so that it ties together the new cluster and the existing performance hall and also opens up a ‘clearing’ from where to soak in the powerful surrounding landscape.