How Schools Can Shape Sustainability: Auromas Approach to Green School Architecture in India

Schools have the power to shape sustainability by turning their campuses into living examples of eco-friendly practices. Through green school architecture, Indian schools can incorporate climate-responsive planning, passive cooling, daylighting, and circular resource flows to reduce energy costs, improve student well-being, and foster environmental awareness. These strategies benefit both the environment and educational outcomes, helping shape a more sustainable future for generations to come.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reports that energy-efficient buildings can reduce heating and cooling demand by up to 80%. For schools, this could mean significant savings that could be reinvested into improving educational resources. With more than 14.72 lakh schools in India, even small shifts toward eco-friendly school design can lead to a massive nationwide impact.  

Why Schools Are Leverage Points for Sustainability?

Schools are cultural hubs that influence students' eco-conscious habits. When a school models sustainability, it extends these lessons beyond the classroom, shaping the future of communities.

Principal at Auroma Architecture has designed educational spaces across India that blend technical precision with artistic vision. Her philosophy, "Can a school be a teacher?" emphasises how schools can teach sustainability through design—using light, air, water, and honest materials to foster environmental awareness and civic responsibility. These principles are central to green school architecture India and the green campus ideas Auroma applies in its projects.

 

Auroma’s Approach: Turning Buildings into Living Teachers  

At Auroma Architecture, we believe that school buildings should teach as much as the curriculum. Our designs turn classrooms into daylight studios, verandahs into all-weather amphitheatres, and courtyards into open spaces that invite interaction with nature. These features reduce energy consumption and create engaging, healthy learning environments.

We prioritise daylit classrooms to reduce glare and eye strain while cutting electricity use. Passive cooling strategies, such as cross-ventilation, thermal mass, and water bodies, help maintain comfortable temperatures without relying on air conditioning. Lime plasters and other sustainable materials further enhance the building’s environmental performance.

Design Patterns That Quietly Teach  

Here are some examples of how Auroma Architecture integrates sustainability with learning through design:

• The Open-Sky Courtyard: A central space with a sundial that teaches children about time and astronomy through the position of shadows.

• The Breezeways: Designed to foster natural airflow, these corridors teach students about fluid dynamics.

• The Listening Roof: Vaulted roofs that amplify sound naturally for assemblies, eliminating the need for microphones.

• The Water Story: Visible water gauges and rainwater harvesting systems that teach water conservation.

• The Light-Shelf: South-facing walls with overhangs and internal light shelves that bring soft, glare-free light into classrooms, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

• The Material Library: A tactile wall of sustainable materials like earth blocks and reclaimed wood, helping students learn about embodied carbon.

• The Edible Landscape: Gardens and compost systems that build environmental stewardship and nutrition literacy.

• The Quiet Corners: Social-emotional spaces where students can reflect and read in a safe environment.

What Outcomes Can Schools Expect?  

• Lower Energy Bills: Achieved through passive design, daylighting, and natural ventilation. Savings can be reinvested into educational resources.

• Thermal Comfort: Thermal mass, shaded courtyards, and evaporative cooling systems improve comfort, leading to better attendance and concentration.

• Healthier Air & Light: Cross-ventilation and filtered daylight reduce absenteeism and enhance cognitive performance.

• Curricular Integration: Rainwater harvesting, energy dashboards, and other features become part of the learning experience, helping students understand sustainability concepts.

• Community Stewardship: Student-run gardens and waste recycling systems encourage environmental responsibility and engage the wider community.

Addressing Common Misconceptions  

• “Green costs more.”
  While certain eco-friendly school design elements may have higher upfront costs, passive design strategies like daylighting and cross-ventilation reduce the need for costly HVAC systems, leading to long-term savings. These savings can be reinvested into the school.

• “Green doesn’t work in hot, humid climates.”
  India’s traditional architecture, with its deep verandahs and courtyards, has always been well-suited to hot climates. Passive cooling strategies refine this ancient wisdom, making climate-resilient schools more effective and sustainable.

Why “Daylit Classrooms” Change Learning  ?

Daylight is essential for learning—it helps regulate circadian rhythms, stabilizes mood, and improves focus. At Auroma Architecture, we ensure that classrooms are well-lit naturally, reducing the need for artificial lighting. This approach not only cuts electricity bills but also enhances the well-being of students and teachers.

Examples of Sustainable Schools Across India  

From rural skill centers to large urban campuses, Auroma Architecture has successfully implemented green school architecture India in a variety of settings. Our designs incorporate vaulted roofs that reduce energy use, rainwater harvesting systems to minimize water consumption, and natural finishes that are low-maintenance and long-lasting. These schools don’t just teach students—they educate entire communities about sustainability.

Take the Next Step with Auroma  

If your school is planning a new campus or retrofitting an existing one, Auroma Architecture can help. We specialize in green campus ideas and climate-resilient schools that are designed to teach students about sustainability through the environment itself. Book a consultation with Architect Trupti Doshi to learn more about creating a school that not only teaches the curriculum but also teaches students to care for the planet.