ERCEDES-BENZ INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

At a glimpse
Location: Hinjewadi, Pune, Maharastra
Address : P-26 Midc Phase
Architect: Parekh-Noorani Architects
Ash A. Parekh, Arif F. Noorani
Landscape: Sai Krishna Group
Established in : 2003
Grades: International Baccalaureate
3 divisions - KG, PYP & MYP
Footage: 45000 sq ft
Campus Area: 20 acres
EW Ranking: Position No. 4
FRONT ELEVATION
Site Plan
Design
• Features
The school consists of administrative, classrooms, utility & cafeteria
blocks.

An undulating perimeter wall made from local stone responds to the

existing topography.

One access/exit point restricts all vehicular traffic to the periphery&

users can safely walk the 4-Acre campus using the covered
promenades.

The first aid room is located at the cul-de-sac.

informal learning nodes within a structured geometric
environment.

spatial separation via creation social courts encourages mixed

congregation.

To encourage the Arts, buildings are painted using neutral colors

- students create “friendly environmental coloration”
 The promenades have niches for display of student art. The
courtyard displays the “student graffiti wall” & sculpture.

 The library/media center is a 2-story space, demarcated vertically

for younger/older kids equipped with story telling areas, reading
rooms, AV room & computer lab.

 The amphitheatre configuration allows for nighttime oratory,

dramas & stage shows.
FACILITIES IN ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK
 RECEPTION
 KINDERGARTEN
 SPECIAL EDUCATION DESK
 FIRST AID ROOM
 CONFERENCE ROOM
 TRAINING & COUNSELLING DESK
 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ROOM
 PRINCIPAL’S ROOM
 STAFF AMENITIES
ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK
ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK
ILITIES IN ACADEMIC BLOCK

 11 CLASSROOMS ( 4 AND 5 CONVERTIBLE )

 2 LABS
 STORE ROOM
 STAFFROOM
 LIBRARY DESIGNED IN TWO LEVELS
 ART AND CRAFT ROOM
 MUSIC ROOM
 FOOD AND TECH ROOM
 AMENITIES
ACADEMIC BLOCK
ACADEMIC BLOCK
Classroom Features
 The classrooms have direct access to the 3 “active” aptly equipped
playfields (for the 3 divisions).

 instead of, standardized furniture, personalized “age-dependent”

ergonomic & “fluid” furniture configurations enhances learning.

 The student desks are detached modules, allowing flexibility e.g.

seminar, group discussion, one-on-one, academic set-up, etc.
 Classrooms be equipped with Internet access- to function as
“Global Net Classrooms”.

 Classrooms are equipped with “wet areas” & customized teaching

aids.

 A combination of yellow/white light is provided for better rendition

 Classrooms are equipped with “accordion” partitions to facilitate

larger student workshops.
The bridge can be seen here which connects the two classroom blocks.

The single loaded classrooms are flanked by proportionate quiescent wind-

catcher courts with a 15m long suspension bridge connecting the C-shaped
classroom wings.
CAFETERIA BLOCK
 Sustainable Features

The PTA actively participated in land selection, programming and master

planning.

Since the student populous is anticipated to triple by 2005, the “fluid

growth” was achieved by placing the future Gymnasium adjacent to the
pool changing rooms.

The strategic service road allows direct access to all utilities, loading
docks & future hostel.

The temperature varies from 35° F - 105° F.

Budgetary constraints did not allow HVAC systems, thus the
sun/wind patterns were studied.

For effective cross-ventilation, the buildings had to function as

“hybrid wind tunnels”.

The 12’ height, tinted glass fenestrations & westerly winds keeps
rooms comfortable.

Electrical panels, conduits & hazardous devices are locked in

vandal-proof utility closets.
The pool-facing café is a juxtaposition of semi-covered & covered
eating areas enhanced with an array of vibrant colors, shapes and
lighting moods.

The materials selected are locally available, with emphasis on ease

of maintenance, vandalism & economics, e.g. the flooring in the high-
traffic promenades is ironite floor

The building does exactly what it was designed to do, which is to

provide an extremely pleasant academic working environment
supported by functional positions of playing and recreational areas.
 The “acoustically detached” music room has individual practice
rooms for personalized instruction.

 The e cafeteria functions as a yoga / meditation center,

recreational room with table tennis & carom.

 The laboratories provide access to landscaped spaces for

“realworld” botanical experimentation.
COURTYARD