Architect Benny Kuriakose experiments with light and design to help autistic kids in Chennai

At the primary classroom in Sankalp - The Learning Centre & Special Needs School, in Kolappancheri, Chennai, the afternoon sunlight weaves in through one of the window grills, casting the most curious shadows. That was a big learning curve for us, as we realised the importance of having spaces where the children could move around and interact with each other,” she says. Kuriakose had initially kept the school’s design flat and simple because the articles he had read suggested that too many patterns could confuse the children. “Our aim was never to dictate or control how the children should move, or how they should behave,” says Kuriakose. “Such open spaces have made our children much calmer.” Sulata believes these are lessons mainstream schools too could adopt.