In the North Indian desert town of Jaisalmer, also known as "The Golden City" for its array of yellow sandstone architecture, temperatures can reach approximately 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) at the height of summer.
There is an Indian School built in this desert still keep it's student cool(This School Made of Sandstone in the Middle of The Thar Desert Needs no ACs)
This is the Raikumari Ratnavati Girls' School which is made of yellow sandstone, and surprisingly, has no air conditioners. Here, students can study and even play in the protected courtyard without worrying about the extreme weather.
An architectural marvel, located just a six-minute drive away from Jaisalmer's famous Sam Dunes, has taken shape in Kanoi village, with an aim to educate girls and empower them.
Rajakumari Ratnavati Girl's School located in Jaisalmer that helps and educate neraly 400 girls aged between 5 and 16 in rural india.
The school is visually impressive, with an oval-shaped structure that blends in the desert landscape. The building also comes with elements of sustainability. The school portion, known as the Gydan Centre, will accommodate 400 girls from kindergarten to Class X.
The shape and position of the building helps catch the wind which is then funneled into the school helping cool the temperature. The classrooms have hugh ceiling allowing the heat to rise and leave out of small windows that help reduce the heat in the classrooms to 20-30 Farenheit cooler.
Inspired by ancient water harvesting techniques, the roof and courtyard collect water from monsoons that can be used at a later date. Solar panels on the roof provide electricity for lighting and fans and also serve as a shaded canopy area for children to play in below.
The designers were so keen to minimise the impact of the building they moved the entire thing when they realised it would destory two small trees which are now beautufully integrated into the courtyard.
The region has one of the lowest literacy rates in India especially among girls. But schools like this can provide them with a safe, accessible place to learn and feel empowered.
The project, which is meant to empower women and girls through education in a region where the female literacy rate is the lowest in India, was commissioned by CITTA, a US non-profit organization that provides economic and education support to women in remote and marginalized communities. It's the first step in a three-part architectural project that will also include a women's cooperative center and an exhibition space.
It took a decade for Michael Daube, founder of CITTA, a non-profit organisation, to conceptualise the building, and help it materialise. Michael roped in US-based architect Diana Kellogg, who conceived the design.
Designing a comfortable learning space can be challenging in the heart of the Thar desert, where climate change is making drought spells longer and more intense. Kellogg, who usually designs high-end residential projects, was motivated by a 2014 trip to Jaisalmer, and wanted the building to symbolize the hope and resilience of the desert by merging aspects of traditional Jaisalmer architecture with a modern design.
"There are methods to cool spaces that have been used for centuries. What I did is I put them together in a combination that worked," Kellogg said, adding that indoor temperatures at the school are approximately 20-30 degrees
^ Michael and Diana during the construction of the school.
This project was selected as a winner in AIA's 2023 Architecture Awards. (AIA - American Institute of Architects)
The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girl's School is a testament to the power of architecture and design to promote progress and education while honoring local customs and traditions.The shape of the school also evokes femininity and infinity, reinforcing the importance of empowering young women through education.
As a symbol of hope and progress, this school serves as a beacon for the entire region, reminding us of the transformative power of education and design.
^ Light dapples through the perforated walls
^ Parapets surround the elevated walkway
^ A large paved courtyard is at the centre of the school
^ Perforated walls shade the courtyard
^ Tall walls shade the school as the sun moves
^ Recessed spaces within walls form play areas
^ Corridors provide shaded areas
^ The inclined walkway leads to the roof
^ Classrooms have clerestory openings