Even before delving into the Au Grand Air Nursery details, the question often arises: “How did you find yourself working on a project in India"” The reality behind it is so incredible that I sometimes pause before sharing, not to add embellishments but to make it more plausible. The true narrative unfolds in December 2015, during a pivotal phase for the agency. It all began with a phone call disrupting a routine lunch break.
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An enthusiastic gentleman with a strong Indian accent called about a daycare project in India. Initially, I missed the call, considering it a potential hoax. However, he persisted and called again the next day. We finally met on January 1st, 2016, in Paris, engaging in a six-hour conversation covering a range of topics, including his ambitious vision to build top-notch nurseries and kindergartens in India. This led him to explore various architects before choosing our agency. © 11h45
Au Grand Air Nursery & Kindergarten’s Design Concept
On January 25th, I embarked on my first journey to India. The Au Grand Air Nursery project lay before us like a blank canvas, with everything to be initiated from the ground up, including the undefined terrain. It marked the beginning of an adventure in every sense of the word. Upon arrival, I carried with me unfounded assumptions, thinking that India might be more lenient when it comes to urban and building regulations. However, my perceptions swiftly shifted, realizing that France, d...