A Social Architecture Project

City of Children was created with the goal of transforming a charitable project into a place capable of offering shelter, education, and a future to the most vulnerable children. Developed for the Vanaprastha community near Bangalore, the project involves the creation of a residential community dedicated to orphaned children or those from troubled family situations, where they can live, study, and grow up in a safe and family-like environment.

The Vision and Relationship with Indian Tradition

The project stems from the vision of Father Sibi, an Indian priest who, after studying psychology in Italy, returned to his home country to devote himself to caring for and educating the most vulnerable children. The master plan interprets the principles of Vastu Shastra, the ancient Indian discipline that seeks balance between architecture, nature, and well-being. As in the traditional Indian courtyard house, the central courtyard becomes the heart of the project: a space open to the sky, a place for gathering and communal life.

The Master Plan and Community Spaces

The complex is organized around a central square, with four main buildings facing it. The facilities include dormitories for children and teenagers, spaces for educators and guests, a dining hall, kitchens, a chapel, study rooms, and a main auditorium. The simple and functional layout supports the community’s daily life, preserving the family-like atmosphere that characterized the original shelter.

Simplicity, Sustainability, and Social Value

Designed with a particular focus on the cost-benefit ratio, City of Children prioritizes simple, durable, and easily maintainable construction solutions. Natural lighting, ventilation, and the use of minimalist furnishings help create comfortable and sustainable spaces. The project serves as an example of social architecture in which the built environment becomes a concrete tool for inclusion, education, and community growth.