THE BRITISH

SCHOOL
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 PROJECT INFORMATION

Project name: The British School

Location: New Delhi, India
Completion date: Phase I in 2014; Phase 2 in Aug
2016
Built-up area: 2,97,000sqft
Site area: 5.3 acres
Climate: Composite
Typology: Institutional
GRIHA rating: 5 star

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STRATEGIES ADOPTED TO REDUCE THE BUILDING IMPACT ON THE
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT:
Sustainable Site Planning:
• 5 trees existed on site and all were preserved. In addition, the
project planted 292 native trees to enhance microclimate of the
area.
• Air pollution control measures such as site barricading, coverage
of dusty material, wheel washing and water sprinkling were
implemented during construction.
Water management:
• Reduction of more than 56.05% from the GRIHA base case has
been demonstrated in landscape water demand by use of sprinklers.
• Reduction of 65.3% from the GRIHA base case has been
demonstrated in building water use by installing water efficient flush
and flow fixtures.

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• Construction water requirement was minimized to large extent by
adopting curing through gunny bags.
Energy Optimization:
• EPI reduction of 73% from GRIHA benchmark has been
demonstrated.
• 62% of the habitable spaces are day lit and meet the daylight
factors prescribed by the National Building Code of India.
• 12.54% is the window to wall ratio of the project.
Renewable Energy Technology installed on site:
• 40 kWp rated capacity solar PV panels have been installed on site.

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• Rated capacity of solar PV meets more than 30% of internal
lighting and HVAC load of the project.
• Solar water heaters have been installed to meet hot water
requirement.
Sustainable Building Materials:
• 92% of ceiling materials used in the project which include Gypsum,
Bison Board, and Perforated Gypsum Board are low-energy
materials.
• Kota stone and terrazzo flooring have been used for more than
70% of flooring in the school.

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DESIGN STRATEGIES

Two key design strategies were deployed to optimize resources.

1. One was to minimize reliance on mechanical systems.
Morphogenesis advocated that 50% of the school be non-air-
conditioned with traditional passive methods used to temper
the environment and optimize energy consumption, creating an
environmentally experiential learning environment.
2. Second strategy was that of planning the school as a system of
courtyards scaled such that majority of them are in shade
throughout the year, thus making them effective not only as
transition spaces but as extended learning environments.
Internal courtyards, chajjas (deep overhangs) and verandahs
provide opportunities for students to engage with the
environment and nature.

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o Taking inspiration from traditional chaupals (outdoor gathering
spaces) in India, some congregation spaces are designed to sit in
the shade of mature trees. Protecting old trees, creating
bioswales, rain gardens and a visible rainwater harvesting system,
consciously illustrate demonstrative sustainability.
o Care has been taken to protect all existing trees and the student
community has played an active role in the transplantation
process.
o The institution's former building was demolished in phases to
minimize disruption to the school, which was constructed at the
same time on the existing restricted site.

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o The initial phase saw a new block erected on the only available
additional land along two sides of the site. This perimeter
building was then used to accommodate the school's activities as
the old structures were removed.
o The second phase involved the construction of a cluster of
flexible modular volumes on the footprint of the old school,
which contain the classrooms, laboratories and other amenities
including a sports hall, auditorium, cafeteria and theatre.
o The various blocks are arranged around a series of courtyards,
with the largest structures positioned on the south side to help to
shade these outdoor spaces.

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o Several multipurpose breakout spaces are distributed throughout
the campus's circulation areas. These adaptable spaces provide
students with locations for open-air meetings or activities and
reflect the school's social agenda.
o The importance of sustainability and minimizing reliance on
mechanical cooling systems played a key role in defining the
building's design, which endeavors to use passive methods to
control the temperature.
o The 18-metre-high western facade displays the influence of
perforated jaali walls, with square apertures of varying sizes
allowing fresh air to flow through the shading surface.

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o Along with verandahs and deep overhanging roofs known as
chajjas, the various internal courtyards provide shaded outdoor
spaces for students to meet and collaborate.
o These spaces include a subterranean stepped amphitheatre-like
space based on the traditional baoli, where students can seek
shelter when temperatures soar to as high as 45 degrees Celsius.
o Additional shade is provided by mature trees, while breezes
blowing across the swimming pool produce evaporative cooling
that is retained by the large adjacent wall.

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Design process and
morphology.
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Design process and
morphology.
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Passive strategy.
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THANK YOU
Adeeba M