Excerpt: Eden Kindergarten by BAYA Studios, set in a serene canopy of old trees, showcases an architecture shaped by its natural surroundings. Instead of altering the landscape, the design tucks curvilinear blocks between existing mango and coconut trees, linked by a central aisle. The result is a series of free-flowing spaces that blur boundaries between indoors and outdoors, creating an environment that is rooted, playful, and open to discovery.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] In a calm and serene residential area of Mysore, a 10,000 sq. ft. site with mature mango and coconut trees set the stage for Eden Kindergarten. One half of the land was already occupied by an existing block, while the other half was shaded by the canopy of old trees. Instead of altering this balance, the architect allowed it to shape the design. Each new block was carefully placed between the trees, linked by a central aisle, creating an arrangement that feels natural and unforced. The kindergarten unfolds as a series of gentle, free-flowing spaces where classrooms, play areas, and spillover zones remain closely tied to the landscape, offering children an environment that is both rooted and open to discovery.
A Creative Brief, A Sensitive Response: The client’s vision was clear: a space that is innovative, creative, and liberating for children. The design approach, however, extended beyond innovation. It was rooted in respect for context. By carefully tucking each block between the trees, the plan evolved into curvilinear, organic forms anchored by a central aisle. This not only preserved the greenery but also offered children an environment where nature was not excluded, but celebrated.
Spaces That Encourage Exploration: The kindergarten is more than a collection of classrooms. Each learning space opens into its own spillover zone, allowing children to step out, explore, and feel part of the natural landscape. Visual connections between classrooms further enhance this sense of openness, dissolving boundaries and fostering interaction.
Play is woven seamlessly into the architecture. The main access stair doubles as an informal seating area and integrates a slide, transforming transition spaces into arenas of joy. Even the windows are playful: openings of varying shapes and sizes, scattered in an organic rhythm, echo the randomness of nature while stimulating curiosity.
Materiality: Earthy and Honest: Staying true to a rustic and grounded approach, the project makes extensive use of local materials. Hand-laid bricks bonded with mud mortar create walls that breathe and age gracefully. Vibrant shades of oxide flooring bring energy to the interiors, creating a sense of excitement underfoot. Overhead, exposed concrete roofs lend solidity, while shell roofs with mosaic inlays soften the structure, allowing the building to merge into the canopy of trees.
Architecture as Experience: Every gesture in Eden Kindergarten serves a dual purpose — functional and experiential. Children are introduced to architecture that is not rigid, but free-flowing; not alienating, but rooted. They climb, slide, gather, and learn in spaces that mirror the randomness of nature while nurturing a deep sense of connection to it.
A School that Grows with its Children: In an age when institutional buildings often lean towards efficiency and enclosure, Eden Kindergarten stands apart as an ode to coexistence. It proves that design for children can be both playful and profound, innovative and respectful. By keeping the trees and blending the built with the natural, the architect has created not just a school, but a setting where children learn their first lessons in harmony — with space, with each other, and with the earth.
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