The Atelier / Biome Environmental Solutions

Architects: Biome Environmental Solutions
Site Area: 1955 m²
Area: 985 m²
Year: 2016
Photography: Vivek Muthuramalingam
Design Team: Chitra Vishwanath, Anurag Tamhankar, Sharath Nayak, Soujanya Krishnaprasad, Prasenjit Shukla, Lekha Samant, Shibani Choudhary
Consultants: Mesha Structural Consultants
Contractors: Muralidhar Reddy, Prasanna Kumar
Manufacturers: Saint-Gobain, Jaquar, Cera
City: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Country: India

The Atelier Elementary and Middle School, designed by Biome Environmental Solutions in Bengaluru, Karnataka, respond to site constraints with a fully demountable structure aligned with the Reggio-Emilia educational model. Completed between 2016 and 2020, the project uses modular systems, local materials, and handcrafted finishes to support sustainable, adaptive reuse. Eight tree-shaped columns, skylight-lined roofs, and curving internal walls define a permeable spatial layout that encourages independent exploration. Integrated rainwater harvesting and waste systems further reinforce the building’s environmentally responsible design logic.

The atelier / biome environmental solutions

Designed by Biome Environmental Solutions, The Atelier is located within an active construction zone in Bengaluru, immediately bordered by a warehouse. In response to this context, the design focused on creating a self-contained, protective space suitable for young children. The architectural strategy was grounded in the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy, prioritizing spaces that encourage interaction, autonomy, and sensory engagement. These guiding principles shaped both the spatial arrangement and material palette, forming a learning environment that balances openness with safety.

The building was conceived as a fully demountable structure, allowing for a total recovery of materials and land use. This decision reflects an understanding of shifting space needs and the potential impermanence of educational infrastructure. A combination of chappadi granite foundations, paver block flooring, paper tube partitions, and a bolted steel structure enables complete disassembly and reuse without waste. The façade system includes a mild steel frame with a varied mix of perforated metal panels, pinewood, reflective glass, operable louvers, and sliding windows, each contributing to the modulation of light and airflow.

Interior planning is shaped around a sloping roof supported by eight tree-shaped columns, offering a symbolic and structural reference to learning under trees in rural settings. The roof is punctuated with skylights and internally lined with a bamboo mat plywood ceiling, providing both thermal and acoustic insulation. This material selection preserves traditional craftsmanship and introduces a tactile contrast to the metallic structure.

The interior reads as a continuous volume. Curved partitions of varying heights define classrooms and shared spaces while preserving visual connectivity across the building. The spatial layout supports exploratory movement and informal interactions, in line with the Reggio Emilia model’s emphasis on learning through engagement with the environment. Four classrooms, a studio, and a childhood stimulation center are arranged around a central piazza. Transitional filter spaces serve as buffers and connectors between the programmatic zones, encouraging fluid movement. Sanitary facilities are scaled for children and designed for easy supervision, with open drains and urinal walls simplifying maintenance.

Furniture made from honeycomb boards and paper tubes reinforces the building’s emphasis on adaptability. Lightweight and movable, the elements allow children to reconfigure their environment, deepening their engagement with space and function. Environmental performance is integral to the design. Rainwater is harvested across the entire roof, filtered into a sump, and directed to a groundwater recharge well, ensuring water sustainability. Waste management is handled through twin leach pits that return nutrients to the soil, creating a closed ecological loop. The Atelier demonstrates a model of responsive educational architecture. Through flexible construction, passive systems, and a material palette rooted in locality and reuse, the school becomes an evolving space for learning, resilience, and environmental stewardship.