Excerpt: The Children’s Library for a Montessori School by Atelier ARBO focuses on creating a calm, engaging space that nurtures children’s love for reading. Blending natural materials, warm tones, and careful layout, the interior design offers a variety of reading zones that feel both welcoming and intuitive. Each element is designed with children in mind, fostering independence, imagination, and exploration.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] An atmosphere of tranquility, peace, and delightful quiet surrounds the students at Valiants Academy, a Montessori School located on a sprawling 6-acre contour site on the outskirts of Bangalore. Noticing the enthusiastic eagerness to read seen in each child, the school’s principal chose to partner with Atelier ARBO, a passionate Mumbai-based architectural firm, to establish a serene environment where his pupils can immerse themselves in the realm of stories.
The school campus represents a harmonious blend of constructed and open natural areas, where classrooms and hallways flow effortlessly into courtyards and small gardens, giving the institution a charming and rustic appearance. Steps from the central courtyard lead to the library, an expansive area of 3,600 sq. ft. The design features a well-organized yet aesthetically pleasing assortment of various reading and study environments, with inviting nooks and corners that feel like a comforting embrace for children.
Upon entering the library, children are greeted by a vast space with a height of 25 feet, which can feel a bit overwhelming. The design team transformed this area by adding a mezzanine level, covering 190 sq. ft., where bookshelves, floor seating, and cozy benches create a peaceful retreat for reading. A large bookshelf runs alongside the staircase leading to the mezzanine, filled with hundreds of books to discover, providing children with a moment to select titles that intrigue them before heading up for an engaging reading experience.
Situated beneath the staircase is an amphitheater space, featuring steps with wide treads that encourage students to come together for captivating storytelling sessions and group discussions. The linear L-shaped bookshelves have been thoughtfully designed and positioned to effectively create distinct areas within the library, which comprise a book repair section, a digital library equipped with computers for research, group study tables, and a central living area that makes students feel comfortable. The library is adorned with large windows at the back that overlook a picturesque open courtyard. Capitalizing on this aspect, the design team crafted cozy stepped seating nooks in these corners, allowing children to enjoy abundant natural light while reading a book and appreciating the stunning views of the outdoor scenery.
Observing the enthusiasm of students towards regular library usage, we understood the responsibility and potential we possess as architects to design a space that entices them and fosters a love for it. Every design choice was carefully evaluated from a psychological standpoint of children and their perceptions of the environment. All the bookshelves are crafted from Ashwood, with the heights arranged following thorough research on child anthropometry, encouraging young children to explore and choose books independently.
The warm tones of wood harmonize perfectly with the soft pastel colors of the rugs, cushion covers, and throws. The walls of the library are decorated with meaningful artworks that invite contemplation, while charming decorative items contribute an element of sophistication. The library vibrates with life owing to the strategically placed vibrant green indoor plants. By visually enjoying the lush foliage, children are inspired and motivated to engage in their activities with greater focus.
“The process of designing a children’s library for a Montessori school turned out to be incredibly captivating for us, as our primary goal was to craft an environment that resonates with young children’s imaginations and encourages them to explore the rewarding world of reading and gaining knowledge,” says Rinka D’Monte, Principal Architect of Atelier ARBO.
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