B. D. Somani International School

A school is more than just a facility — it is a second home where students spend the majority of their waking hours, shaping their experiences, interactions, and personal growth. Recognizing this, we developed the design concept of “The School as a City,” drawing inspiration from Portuguese school architecture and the Tree of Life from Hindu mythology, a foundational symbol in Indian education.

Like a city, a school is a dynamic, interconnected ecosystem that fosters a sense of belonging while offering distinct spaces for learning, collaboration, and reflection. The campus is structured around urban elements such as trees, courtyards, intersections, water bodies, and buildings, each contributing to a rich and layered learning environment. The interplay between open and enclosed, public and private, individual and collective spaces establishes a framework where students can navigate their own identities within a diverse and thriving community.

The learning units are deliberately arranged along “streets” to encourage movement, interaction, and discovery, while the central atrium serves as the heart of the school — a “courtyard” or “city square,” where students and educators come together to connect, exchange ideas, and build a vibrant academic culture.