Vaulted School by Craft Narrative – Transforming Rural Education in Aurangabad

The Vaulted School, designed by Craft Narrative, is an innovative educational facility located near Dhorkin Tanda, a small hamlet in Paithan, Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Initiated by Rajshri Deshpande, founder of the Nabhangan Foundation, the project is part of a larger mission in rural regeneration, community building, and empowering villages for self-reliance.

Previously, the hamlet had a single dilapidated school for just 30 students. The new Vaulted School replaces it with a bright, functional, and child-centric environment that embodies the ‘play and learn’ ideology.

Site and Layout

Covering a built-up area of 102 m² on a 305 m² site, the school includes:

• Classrooms with storage for books and educational toys
• Staff room with storage for academic materials
• Multi-purpose hall that doubles as a classroom or dining hall
• Stand-alone sanitation facility
• Kitchen for mid-day meals
• A dedicated playground inspired by amphitheater design

The planning ensures ample natural light, ventilation, and space for recreation, supporting both learning and play.

Architectural Design & Features

The vaulted roof design enhances natural ventilation using the Venturi effect, creating a comfortable indoor climate. Green buffer zones reduce glare, while native flora around the site integrates environmental education.

Classrooms are oriented according to sun paths and prevailing winds, and semi-circular volumes act as noise buffers against nearby traffic. High ceilings and non-reflective roofing materials minimize heat gain while allowing free airflow.

The structure’s pile foundation and load-bearing brick walls ensure stability, while the vaulted metal sheet roof reduces structural costs and provides rigidity with minimal support.

Interactive Learning Spaces

Every design element encourages experiential learning:

• Educational murals on walls, including a Big Dipper crafted with embedded acrylic rods
• Yellow epoxy flooring, painted with mathematical concepts and traditional games for interactive floor learning
• Playground amphitheater steps double as seating for events or recreational activities

The combination of local bricks, traditional patterns, and contemporary design techniques bridges vernacular aesthetics with modern architecture.

Future Expansion & Sustainability

The school is designed for future growth. Vaulted roofs can be temporarily dismantled to add an additional floor, with the central gutter beam extending to support the new level. All modifications enhance, rather than compromise, the spatial dynamics.

Vaulted School exemplifies sustainable school architecture, context-sensitive design, and child-centric learning environments in rural India.

All Photographs are works of Studio Recall & Studio Sohaib