Modern learning spaces have undergone a transformative evolution. Designers and educators are thinking beyond the traditional four walls. Recognising this shift, SKD was commissioned to design the 6,000 sq ft premises of the ADP League located in the D. Y. Patil International School, Worli, Mumbai. The brief was to create a space that seamlessly combines playfulness and functionality, reimagining the very essence of learning environments for the future. Adhering to the same, open, dynamic areas filled with natural light have been integrated into the design journey. They effortlessly adapt to teaching needs while invigorating the energy of young learners.

The ADP League project involved transforming a 6,000-square-feet floor in the school to meet the diverse needs of 16 to 18-year-old students. The floor has a linear layout with a corridor serving as the connective thread linking all the spaces together. It has five classrooms, one tutorial room, two libraries, a foyer area, a faculty space, a smaller additional room and a cafe with a seating area at the rear end. There are also two separate washrooms for the boys and the girls.

Addressing a series of complex challenges has been paramount in the realisation of this educational space. Efficiently accommodating more in a relatively compact area demands innovative spatial planning. Integrating structural columns into the layout necessitated a creative approach, transforming these architectural elements into artistic features harmonising with the overall aesthetic. Considering a teenage audience, the safety and durability of the spaces has been a central aspect of the design process. All the furniture ensures anthropometric comfort and function.

One enters the ADP league floor through a reception area that comprises a desk made from exposed red bricks, a compact seating area and a money tree. The layout of the entire floor was converted into a visually clear and aesthetically pleasing design printed on tiles. These tiles have been affixed as artwork on the reception area’s wall, allowing students and parents to experience a welcoming ambience even before entering the space.

The foyer area is equipped with compact, movable cubicles furnished with desks and chairs. These cubicles facilitate simultaneous use by multiple individuals and possess the ability to be fully folded. This foldable design allows for quick reconfiguration should the need arise to host small events within the foyer area. The space seamlessly transforms into a versatile, multi-purpose environment by simply folding these objects and moving them into the adjacent classrooms.

Natural light, harnessed through strategically placed windows on both sides of the building, illuminates the space, providing well-lit and vibrant surroundings in classrooms and common areas. Custom-made furniture, such Mango Wood desks and chairs with built-in compartments optimise space and storage. Not all classrooms have rows of desks and chairs facing the whiteboards. The tutorial room has been designed with a linear arrangement where students can face each other to create a collaborative learning environment.

The library has been designed as a collaborative, multi-functional space where the young learners can brainstorm and exchange ideas. Steps leading to the bookshelves add a zany element to the design. Along with regular desks with storage, students can use foldable desks when they use the steps. Windows have been widened to swathe this area with natural light. Blue strips have been added to the seating arrangement to reinforce the school’s brand colour.

Strategically located at the rear end of the floor is the cafe, which emerges as the focal point of the ADP League. It departs from the muted design vocabulary showcased in the classrooms. Colours and patterns ubiquitously energise the cafe transforming it into a break-out space for the kids to hang out and relax. A purple custom wallpaper juxtaposed with aqua green on the floor and counters lend an eclectic vibe. Arches break the monotony of the otherwise linear space. The external wall has been converted into bookshelves that double as a library space.

Creative reuse was embraced, leading to inventive solutions like repurposing bicycles into mirrors. A thoughtfully chosen colour scheme featuring neutral tones, lavender and violet accents for the girls’ bathroom, and white and blue for the boys’ bathroom elevates the ambience. Blue grouting effectively accentuates the chosen colours with a similar-hued grouting.

The ADP League has an inviting, dynamic ambience that enhances learning and collaborative experiences. Malleable and flexible furniture, a low-maintenance material palette and a lot of natural light create a happy and productive environment for the students. The project is a testament to the transformative power of creativity, culminating in a space that significantly elevates the overall educational experience for its students.

Design: Saniya Kantawala Design
Photography: Aspire Studios