Avinya Academy

RETHINKING EDUCATION Rising above the murky waters of doubt and fear, these Classrooms without Borders, provide a second chance at education and life for underprivileged children. Each child is accepted and loved despite their flaws or background. Every child is given a second chance, where every failure is an opportunity to try again and again afresh, at Avinya Academy Bandaragama. A NEW SHEET He came to my desk with a quivering lip, the lesson was done. “Have you a new sheet for me, dear teacher? I’ve spoiled this one.” I took his sheet, all soiled and blotted and gave him a new one all unspotted. And into his tired heart I cried, “Do better now, my child.” A NEW DAY I went to the throne with a trembling heart; the day was done. “Have you a new day for me, dear Master? I’ve spoiled this one.” He took my day, all soiled and blotted and gave me a new one all unspotted. And into my tired heart he cried, “Do better now, my child.” - Adapted from A New Leaf by Helen Field Fischer The academy's architecture goes beyond the confines of traditional schooling, opening up boundless opportunities. Through a reimagining of learning spaces, the design transforms educational architecture by replacing the walls of conventional rectangular classrooms with open elliptical learning pavilions. Situated amidst a garden, these open spaces connect students with nature, fostering reflection and inspiring creativity. This stimulating and welcoming environment broadens perspectives and reignites students' passion for learning through collaborative spaces and diverse approaches to knowledge expansion. In every classroom, round tables take centre stage, serving as the perfect platform for facilitating group discussions, teamwork, and peer-to-peer learning. Students engage in face-to-face interactions, sharing ideas and collectively exploring different perspectives, while facilitators work directly with students at each table. This inclusive and inviting setup not only encourages communication and critical thinking but also nurtures valuable social and interpersonal skills that are essential for success in today's interconnected world. By empowering students as active participants in the learning process, classrooms become a space for fostering connections in a nurturing and inspiring setting. Inspired by lily pads, the learning pods gracefully rise above the tropical landscape, following a gentle swirl along the revitalised waterbody. The architecture is transparent, allowing natural light to flood the spaces while encouraging natural cross-ventilation. Passive Design principles are further celebrated, enhancing sustainability through link bridges made with recycled railway sleepers, solar panels serving as roofing, composting waste, and rainwater recycling. Environmental consciousness has been instilled from the initial design sketches, to material choices in construction, and unconscious green advocacy in users of this project by being set up in this natural environment. In a post-covid world, where we question the purpose and significance of many things, Avinya Academy Bandaragama provides a framework to ponder about effectiveness of education. As we rethink what it means to learn, how to learn and where to learn, together, we can create a world where education knows no boundaries.