Excerpt: Harmony Montessori School, an interior design project by Atelier ARBO, creates a harmonious, well-equipped learning environment for children. The design emphasizes self-exploration in learning through playful pocket spaces and activity niches. The minimalist design incorporates neutral interior shades and indoor plantations, fostering a connection with nature and stimulating a child’s conscious development.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Over the past several years, the Montessori method of education has gained popularity in Mumbai. The foundation of the philosophy is the idea that kids are inherently self-directed, inquisitive learners who thrive in settings that value their uniqueness. The founder of this method, Dr. Maria Montessori, stressed the value of giving kids the freedom to experiment and gain knowledge through hands-on experiences.
Harmony Montessori School has been educating children in Mumbai for over 20 years and started off with a very humble beginning. This fourth branch, of 3,100 sq. ft. area, is an expansion of the institution within the heart of the city. The premise includes three classrooms that culminate into a common learning space brimming with abundant natural light and ventilation.
The design firm carried out an extensive analysis of the Montessori educational philosophy that resulted in a design that exudes harmony and creates a well-prepared / open learning environment for children. While the design was specifically developed by visualizing the space through the eyes of a child, the free flow of different spaces within the design includes furniture, restroom fixtures and learning material shelves placed as per a young child’s anthropometric data. This encourages them to effortlessly access the shelves, make their own decisions, complete all tasks independently, and become self-sufficient. The design goes beyond traditional box planning techniques by incorporating playful pocket spaces and activity niches to emphasize the importance of self-exploration in learning.
The minimalist design with neutral interior shades evokes a sense of seamless connection with nature through indoor plantations. The same ideology is further extended through lower seating spaces and floor cushions which face the continuous flow of long windows in the common play space. These large openable windows paint a picturesque image of the lush outdoor foliage which begins a dialogue with nature that stimulates a child’s conscious development.
While Montessori ideals enlighten children’s minds, a combination of warm and white light floods the spaces, comfortably brightening the classrooms, with a few decorative lighting arrangements which aesthetically enhances the work area and also the common play space. Even though each class is of mixed-age group children who attend the school and learn alongside one another, it is also quite amusing to see and observe the ease with which they explore every corner of the premise to develop and work harmoniously.
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