Gayatrilokesh Architects Transforms Underused House into Bright Red Preschool in Latur

In Latur, Maharashtra, India, Gayatrilokesh Architects LLP has converted an existing underused house into a child-centered preschool named 'Rooted Retrofit' through adaptive reuse. The project avoids demolition, instead retaining the existing structure to reduce material waste and embodied carbon. The design integrates existing trees into spatial planning and creates semi-covered transitional zones between interior and exterior. Classrooms feature movable partitions for flexibility. Passive design strategies include orientation-based facades with recessed openings, bamboo screens, and a new lightweight insulated roof that enhances natural lighting. Local Mandana stone is used for external flooring, and the compound wall remains white with planter boxes. The design team includes Lokesh Kadam, Gayatri Deshmukh, and Jerrin John. Photography is by Studio Lumos Media. The project was submitted to designboom via its DIY submissions feature and edited by Christina Vergopoulou.