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Designing an Orphanage (Aug. 5, 2017) by: Ar. Bijaya K. Shrestha
A. BUILDING FORM, SPACE LAYOUT AND DETAILING

An orphanage generally consists of two major parts: individual units in the form of cottage with 5-6 children along with
a houseparent and a common building for learning and playing including health care facility. In order to achieve a
homely environment, the bedrooms should have access from a common room rather than opening to a long corridor.
Different units along with landscape elements must be juxtaposed to create enclosed outdoor spaces for social
interaction among children from different units. Such outdoor spaces should also be equipped with furniture, plantation
and sheds protecting from the sun and rain. Learning spaces can be better designed using natural materials (wood,
living plants, natural lighting and ventilation) by bringing natural world indoors or by providing learning opportunities
outdoors. Daily access to and use of an outdoor space is necessary for interaction with nature as well as with friends.

Huge bulky units with longer building façade that creates the feeling of institutional or industrial environment must be
avoided. Instead short blocks with provisions of balcony and terraces, brick exposed elevation, sloped portion and
geometrical shaped elements with few steeping (up and down) on the gardens must be given preference. Children love
primary colours on their walls, floorings, and ceilings as well as for beds, tables and outdoor furniture. For child
safety, all counters, shelves, sills, corners, ledges and edges at child height must have a rounded corner, doors should
swing away from the children’s play area and water taps should be placed at different heights with non-slippery flooring.

B. SUPPORTS TO MAKE AN ORPHAN INDEPENDENT

Various supports are essential to make orphans independent and fit into the society they are in. They need skill
development, health and hygiene, educational and recreational facilities, besides shelter provision. School contributes
to a child’s social integration and psychosocial development and provide a safe, structure environment for education
and skill development. A child who knows how to read, write, do basic arithmetic and develop life skills has a solid
foundation for continued learning throughout life.