St. Joseph's Convent School Library and Auditorium

Karachi, Pakistan

With its nineteenth-century buildings in the Gothic style, the campus of St Joseph’s is a ‘Heritage of Pakistan’ site. This project is designed to complement but not mimick its neighbours with a postmodern blend of restraint and playfulness. Raised on pilotis, the building curves round an existing neem tree to frame a courtyard play area, while sheltering new recreation spaces in its open underbelly. Staircases and circulation spaces are also semi-open, drawing in light and air and providing casual social areas, while combining with carefully placed oculi to open up views. The auditorium is an adaptable space with no fixed seating.

Source:

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2011.