SAMVAD- Igniting Minds

Key Highlights: Modular & Replicable, Low-Cost, Child-Centric, Multi-Site Friendly

Keywords: Safety, Inclusivity, Community, Adaptability

“SAMVAD” envisions safe, modular, and inclusive learning pockets within urban informal settlements — empowering every child with access to education, play, and community. By transforming underutilized urban spaces into vibrant, child-centric zones, the design fosters dignity, creativity, and growth through adaptable architecture rooted in local context.

The Study Centre was designed as part of a competition organized by Archdais, with the vision of creating adaptable learning spaces for marginalized urban communities like Gulbai Tekra. The project explores flexible design solutions for both open and compact urban plots—responding sensitively to spatial constraints while nurturing a community-driven educational environment. The spatial progression moves gradually from communal and collaborative zones to quieter study corners, buffered by staff and utility areas for acoustic and functional separation.

Materiality plays a vital role in the sensory experience. Exposed brick walls offer warmth and texture, while lightweight steel frames support spatial flexibility. A restrained color palette and honest materials were chosen to reduce visual noise and enhance focus. Mobile furniture and built-in storage are integrated into the design to allow reconfiguration of space, while an indoor amphitheater serves as both a collaborative learning area. The learning spaces are designed to accommodate mixed-age groups, encouraging organic, peer-to-peer engagement. Large rooms are thoughtfully zoned for varied activities, while architectural rhythms—expressed through tensile pillars, structural frames, and shaped openings—echo the musical elements integrated into the curriculum.

A strong connection to nature is established through an open-air theatre built with natural materials, offering children a platform to perform and express. By merging spatial adaptability, sensory-rich environments, and an inclusive design ethos, the study centre reimagines how architecture can empower children and communities through learning.