Sun City, Gzb
An experience baked in earth
Healthy Planet school buildings are designed to reduce their impact on the environment, promote the health and well-being of their occupants, and optimise the use of natural resources. Sustainability principles guide the architecture and aims to create a comfortable, healthy, and energy-efficient learning environment. Our processes keep in mind –
- Energy efficiency: Designed to reduce energy consumption by using energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems, and appliances. A focus on using renewable energy sources.
- Nature in design: Passive design strategies such as natural ventilation, daylighting, and thermal insulation reduce the building’s energy demand and create a comfortable indoor environment.
- Water conservation: Water-efficient fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, and low-maintenance landscaping are incorporated to reduce water consumption and promote sustainable water use.
- Healthy indoor environment: The building is designed to provide a healthy indoor environment by using non-toxic materials, providing good indoor air quality, and reducing exposure to pollutants.
- Flexibility and adaptability: The building’s design is flexible and adaptable to changing needs and can accommodate different educational programs and teaching methods.
- Sustainable materials: Using low-emitting materials and locally sourced materials in the building’s construction.
- Site and landscape design: The building is integrated into the site and its landscape, promoting biodiversity and creating a sense of place for the school community.
- Community engagement: The building’s design process involves the community, including students, teachers, and parents, to ensure that their needs and perspectives are incorporated into the design.
While aiming to provide ‘transformative learning experiences and environments’, we are attempting to create comfortable, healthy, and energy-efficient learning spaces that support students’ natural curiosity and love for learning while feeling like a ‘home away from home.’
A material philosophy
The palette of materials used at the new Healthy Planet buildings are like brick: exposed with an organic feel.
The minimal use of paint ensures air free of toxicity. The round skylights and windows introduce a harmony in form.
The terrazzo is as reassuring as brick and concrete—the same honesty and textured charm, with the richness of colour.
“An endeavour that fuses education with technology and material integrity”
These words come to architect Pankaj Vir Gupta’s mind when he thought about our founders’ values. They sum up, he says, “their ethical approach to building.”
Space for integrity indeed; at the site of our new Early Years building in Noida, 800 children would be packed in a typical school. In the Healthy Planet way, it is designed to offer a generous embrace to 240 students.
Brick by brick, the school buildings are being built by the founders themselves. The use of contractors is minimal. This ensures that the integrity of the founding vision remains pure and unsullied.
Same but different Our schools at Suncity, Ghaziabad and Sec 137, Noida carefully handle the transition from pre-school and creche with 200 students to a K 12 campus.
Security, material and wayfinding The NH 24 campus makes students feel secure in the midst of a community, by connecting smaller and larger spaces around skylit, landscaped courtyards.
Inside-Outside In the Noida building, brick jalis frame the view to the outside. Children are protected, but can look out.