RBK School

In an era where childhood is often bound by screens and regimented calendars, architecture carries the responsibility of restoring spontaneity. At the Kanakia School at Mira Road, KSD Studio revolutionised the framework of learning. The 25 years old volume of concrete with 90,000 sq ft of area is revived with a design approach layered into a landscape of light, movement, and play. What was once merely a cluster of spaces has been recast as a living heart of the school, open to discovery.

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The existing fabric was built with a conventional approach, heavy in mass, but lacked vibrancy in its interiors. The design brief is clear; to create spaces that nurtured the young minds emotionally and functionally. The design team inherited an existing structure, equipped with its own array of obstacles wherein the spaces remained visually striking yet underutilised. Instead of adding superfl uous details, the design team set out to accentuate natural light and create pockets of collaboration.

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The stumbling block was to shape an environment that balanced curiosity with comfort. The expertise of the team led them to an approach of adapting from educational models that encourage exploration and independence, moving away from rigid spatial defi nitions. Furniture was scaled to a child’s eye level, opening every surface as a canvas for their imaginations and expressions. The guiding thought was simple yet ambitious; to make every corner functional without losing its visual warmth.