English Activity Room, Depanama Dharmapala Primary School
The initiation of the project, also the funding was made by Perituza Foundation as their CSR project in 2023 with a limited budget of LKR 1.5M. This includes the Furniture, equipment, and all electrical and interior modifications.
When we first visited the site we noticed, that this primary school is full of blossoms with glittering eyes with great hope for a better future. These children couldn’t compare with other popular schools, as of the privileges that they are exposed to; financially, socially, and also access to education. This was a very thoughtful project for these children to be equipped with the English Language for them to conquer the world of knowledge and advancement.
The Classroom assigned to us was an abandoned classroom used as a store for broken furniture, etc. which was in-between the teacher’s room next to the principal’s office and another classroom. The size of the classroom was almost 20’x20’ and apparently to accommodate 14 children for a single activity session.
- Located in Sri Lanka
- Submitted by earchitectstudio
- Finalists 2024
Colour Codes
Though this was a simple task just to manage a classroom, we thought of developing a concept for children to feel the classroom as a fun room once we worked on it since it would attract more and more children frequently to the activity room to engage with the lessons. Since the modification to the main structure was not allowed except for replacing the existing blackboard with a whiteboard, we managed the project merely as interior work.
The concept was derived from inspiration of the nature using colors and texture. Having considered what children of this age are attracted to, the color composition of the walls and patterns designed while the roof resembles a tree canopy in a garden along with the design of the light fittings. The lighting fittings from the suppliers were also modified again including a Yellow Color Aluminum Cladding from the scrap yard of a fabricator. Treated rubber furniture finished to natural color filled the composition and the color balance of the space adding more natural textures.
Since the budget was limited we had to be very thoughtful of the resources and Color patterns around the were done in a rectangular pattern keeping in mind the wall coverage per liter. Also, the selection of the Colors was toned down towards gray scales to gain more attraction towards the Teacher and the White Board. These rectangular color patches are demarcated with a white border to make the spaces more dynamic and interesting. Furthermore, bean bags of different Colors have added more color punch to the space as well as the expression of a play space which could be personalized.
English Activity Room | Depanama Dharmapala Primary School
When we first visited the site we noticed, that this primary school is full of blossoms with glittering eyes with great hope for a better future.
"Create an attractive space for children to have fun in the activity room away from the ordinary classrooms and also to make them feel that they are outside under a tree canopy metaphorically. Used Colors will also be fused with the colors of the books that they might associate with learning, and will be a neutral space for them to learn more and enjoy more. As this is a limited budget Interior Colour is everything for this project."
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