Rehabilitation Centre for Out of School Children in Hyderabad

Author: Lakshmi Ashok
Site Location: Hyderabad
Institute:Department of Architechture & Planning, College of Engineering
Advisor: Prof. Anusha Vijayan

Description

The thesis aims to explore the role of architecture as a catalyst for addressing the challenges faced by
out-of-school children and creating opportunities for recovery, learning, dignity, and hope, and how
the built environment can actively support healing, development, and social reintegration.
Challenges include trauma, educational exclusion, loss of trust, social stigma, and child labour, while
supporting the transition of children back into education, family, and society.
The design focuses on creating an integrated, child-sensitive and trauma-informed rehabilitation
environment incorporating bridge education, counselling, healthcare, skill development, transitional
residential care, recreation, and community interaction.
The complexity of the project lies in responding to the diverse needs of the children. Children vary in
age, sensitivity levels, learning level, trauma experience, privacy requirements, and degree of
independence. The architecture therefore avoids a rigid institutional model and provides flexibility in
spatial scale, sensory stimulation, degrees of openness, and interaction. Spaces are designed to
remain engaging without becoming overwhelming, allowing children to gradually gain confidence,
autonomy, and a sense of belonging.
The design adapts to the child rather than expecting the child to adapt to the institution. The project
ultimately seeks to demonstrate how architecture can contribute to a larger social impact by
transforming rehabilitation from institutional care into an empowering process of healing, learning,
participation, and reintegration.