artLIVE – The Rajkumari Ratnavati School is located in the arid desert of Jaisalmer, India. Yet, thanks to its unique architecture, children here can enjoy a comfortable learning environment even in the heat.
Sowing the seeds of education in rid land
Located in northern India, the desert town of Jaisalmer experiences some of the harshest climatic conditions in the country. During the summer, temperatures can soar up to 49°C. These natural challenges are compounded by numerous economic and social difficulties facing the region.
Many households in the town live in deprivation. Education for children, especially girls, faces significant obstacles here. The female literacy rate hovers around just 36%.
Recognizing this need, CITTA – a nonprofit organization supporting the development of economically or geographically disadvantaged communities worldwide – established the GYAAN center, an educational project aimed at promoting girls’ education in rural Jaisalmer.
The organization was founded with the goal of creating a healthy learning environment, enabling girls to grow freely and achieve economic independence. This vision led to the creation of the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls’ School, a collaboration between CITTA and female architect Diana Kellogg, designed to meet the educational needs of girls in the region.
Diana Kellogg is the founder of Diana Kellogg Architects, a firm specializing in high-end residential projects in New York, USA. After more than 20 years in the field, she decided to dedicate her time to community projects with the aim of creating social impact. Her designs skillfully combine the beauty of traditional architecture with modern construction techniques. Sustainability, in particular, has become a central criterion in her creative journey.
A ‘natural air conditioner’ in the heart of the desert
In November 2021, the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls’ School officially opened. With its striking and unique appearance, the school stands out as a remarkable landmark in the Thar Desert. It features 10 classrooms accommodating 400 students, from kindergarten through grade 10. Remarkably, despite being located in the vast desert, children can study comfortably in a naturally cool environment without the need for air conditioning. Indoor temperatures are typically 1–6°C lower than outside.
To achieve this, Diana Kellogg and her team conducted extensive research on traditional and modern cooling techniques in architecture. The Rajkumari Ratnavati School features an elliptical structure that naturally regulates airflow, keeping the interior cool. Sandstone was chosen as the primary building material due to its excellent climate-resilient properties.
The design team also drew inspiration from local architecture by incorporating jali walls – latticed stone screens that allow breezes to enter the playground while shading the interior from direct sunlight. Classrooms feature walls lined with lime plaster, which naturally cools the space and releases moisture. High ceilings and strategically placed windows further help to dissipate heat, creating a comfortable learning environment.
The school is also equipped with a solar panel canopy, providing both shade and electricity. This represents a significant effort to maximize the use of available natural resources, reducing costs while protecting the environment. At the same time, the architectural design ensures the safety of the girls on campus.
Supporting the local community
Beyond creating a comfortable learning environment in the middle of the desert amid worsening climate conditions, the design team also embedded meaningful messages into the architecture. For architect Diana Kellogg, the school’s elliptical structure was inspired by symbols of femininity – such as eggs and the womb. She describes it as a “tight embrace” for the women of the village, the primary beneficiaries of the project.
In addition, Rajkumari Ratnavati embraces elements of the local architectural identity through its focus on minimalism. The school’s interior is adorned with handcrafted rugs featuring traditional patterns, celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship of the local community. Michael Daube, founder of the CITTA organization, shared that he hopes this project will serve as a positive initiative that honors both the traditional and contemporary cultural richness of India.
The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls’ School project won the 2023 Architecture Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). More than just a bridge to education for girls in Jaisalmer, the project empowers them with confidence and opens doors to a brighter future.
Photos: Vinay Panjwani
References:
nytimes.com
architectural-review.com
cittaindia.org
