Mapbee-Numbernagar

CITY AS PREMISE-To engage in real world concepts, learning Maths through seeing the environment, to design Maths around city’s systematic and functional elements.

NUMBER NAGAR-A prototype for Math Laboratory developed for BRAINSTARS, an educational resource company focusing on primary and middle school education. The company approached the firm to design a cool looking space where they could conduct their Math activities.

With this approach we began to question the chance of re-looking the whole learning experience itself, being aware that this realm of designing would involve a deeper look at the pedagogy itself. The firm then approached Deepak Srinivasan– faculty member of Sristi School of Design, who had been doing interesting experiments. Soon we put up a team together, comprising of Artist, Graphic designers and Architects, to undertake this journey.

From the very beginning we started asking ourselves some basic questions. CAN  mathematics itself be mapped on walls ceiling and floor, where even furniture becomes components of maths?  Employing extensive use of ART, geometric and stories around maths ,  A Space model was conceived which could act as multidimensional clasroom

THE LOGO-Number Nagar prides itself to be the first ever mainstream primary and secondary education system that has a space plug which is dynamic, inclusive and interdisciplinary in its approach.

STRUCTURE– The prototype was developed in a 300sft of space available. The floor was kept clear and free with multidimensional furniture, where each element lends itself to the engagement. Illustrations were detailled out into themes and symbols that one could borrow conceptually from the city, also like a key to design and detail out activities engaging urban elements.

concepts like urban mobility/physical transaction, nutritional needs/waste management-a visual landscape to base maths on.

Further concepts like posters of animated Mathematicians to allow pre-adolescence to engage without intimation. Zero story as a narrative, travel and world map across different cultures. Multidimensional cubes, puzzles, sports area themed grids and graphs.Metaphorical representation of tree in a gurukul. Set of detachable and loadable concept kits like dial clocks and probability discs.

All these have successfully managed together to facilitate a dynamic classroom where there are no back benchers, no dull faces, an atmosphere of curiosity and enthusiasm. This  has given rise to a new learning culture.