Morphogenesis? design vision for The British School, New Delhi, found inspiration in the school?s tagline ? ?An International education with an Indian soul?. With this project, Morphogenesis set out to provide a strong cultural context to the international format of education this institution provides. Located centrally in Delhi, space itself was a constraint. Its population of 650 students was to be doubled to 1300. The principal challenge was to construct the new building on the existing site without disrupting the existing school that would become redundant eventually. The only constructible space available enveloped the existing premises, presenting construction, phasing and health and safety challenges.
Photography: Jatinder Marwaha
A strategic approach to phasing was adopted in the form of Phase I comprising a perimeter block to transfer and accommodate existing operations. Phase II, being built on the vacated footprint of the old school, houses additional classrooms, laboratories, sports facilities, art wing, and a Performing Arts Centre.  The unusually diverse student population with over 55 nationalities led Morphogenesis to evolve a socio-culturally inclusive process of detailing the brief. A series of workshops with various stakeholders such as academicians and student class representatives, 3 to 18 years of age, was set up. This approach acknowledged diversity and aimed to create an environment that would foster social cohesion. Photography: Randhir Singh
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