An organization committed towards

empowerment of persons with disabilities

Project : School for Children with Special Needs

G1/456-457, Gali Tyagi Patti, Dalmil Road,
Uttam Nagar, New Delhi-110059 INDIA
Tel.: 091-011-25356845

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Map of Delhi indicating ASRA’s Head Quarter, land for proposed Special School and 61 slum communities adopted by ASRA

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61 55 59

60

57

56

51
54
58
ASRA Head Quarter (ARTC)

Year No. of
slum
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1992-11 28
2011-12 07
2012-13 15
2013-14 04
2014-15 06
2015-16 01
Land for proposed ASRA
Special School Total slum 61

Table of Contents
1. School for Children with Special Needs
2. Concept Note of Architect
3. Plot Characteristics
4. Estimate of Costs

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1. School for Children with Special Needs

1.1. Introduction
Action for Self Reliance & Alternatives (ASRA) is a voluntary organization working for the rehabilitation
of persons with disabilities in West Delhi (India) since 1992 (see www.asra.ch and www.asra.org.in). A
holistic approach with a comprehensive package of therapeutic services (physiotherapy, occupational
therapy and speech therapy) is provided along with counseling, long and short term vocational training
in computers, tailoring, beauty culture, block printing, tie & dye and candle making (among others) at its
West Delhi headquarters to make persons with disabilities fully independent.

1.2. ASRA’s Outreach Programme in Urban Slums

ASRA’s outreach program has been very popular in the urban slums of West Delhi. It started with one
urban slum community and today the services could have been extended to 61 slum areas of West
Delhi. It is catering for a population of about 250,000 including 2,800 persons with disabilities
(orthopedic disorders, mental retardation, speech and hearing problems, visual impairment and multiple
disabilities). These people are all migrated population from different parts of the country who came in
search of better employment opportunities. Most of the communities do not have a proper infrastructure
(roads and transportation, electricity, access to clean water, schools and health facilities). Medical
facilities are scarce especially for persons with disabilities and the nearest hospital or rehab center is
about 5 to 10 km away from each community. As a right to education for children, there are government
schools in the vicinity and all school-aged children are supposed to attend school. However, the quality
of the education is affected as there is no proper monitoring and evaluation of the progresses made by
school children. All children are automatically promoted to next standard every year. The average
literacy rate in these communities is 30% with the female literacy rate being much lower. The majority of
the population consists of daily wage earners with men working as construction workers, cycle riksha
pullers, vendors, petty shop owners or porters and women being employed mostly as domestic helps.
Very few are in the government jobs.

1.3. The Need

Although there are government schools in ASRA project communities, children with disabilities are not
sent to school for several reasons (indifferent attitude on the part of the parents and the community,
poor financial condition, non-existence of public transport and appropriate infrastructure for persons with
disabilities, lack of motivation and of a friendly and encouraging environment). In order to counteract
these problems, ASRA introduced a Sponsorship Project as part of its Community Based Rehabilitation
(CBR) Program. 77 children with intellectual impairments were admitted in the neighbouring special
schools. The sponsorship covered 100% of the expenditure (tuition fee, books and stationery, uniforms,
nutrition, transport, training for parents) but the children still needed to come to the ASRA headquarters
for their therapies and vocational training.

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This brought ASRA to assess its own project of a special school for persons with disabilities in order to
offer them qualitative education with a comprehensive rehabilitation package instead of referring them
to schools which do not fulfil the special demands of disabled persons such as barrier-free washrooms
or suitable class rooms and furniture.

Today, ASRA is working with more than 1.6 million people (317,009 families) in 61 urban slums. 2,798
persons with different types of disabilities have been identified, among which there are 202 children with
special needs (mental retardation) in the age group 6 to 18. During the initial phase of the project, 100
children from communities where there are no educational facilities for children with special needs will
be given admission to the new school.

1.4. Implementation
The School for Children with Special Needs will focus on a multi-dimensional development of the child
taking into account physical, mental, social, spiritual, psychological, emotional and economical needs
with the objective to integrate these children in the community.

The following schedule will be undertaken:

 Identification of eligible children by CBR workers and completion of admission formalities

 Evaluation of each child by a team of professionals (psychologist, social worker, special educator,
physiotherapist, occupational therapist and speech therapist)
 Placement of the child under a special educator according to evaluation and development of IEP
(Individual Education Program) highlighting short- and long-term goals
 Evaluation of the child by therapists
 Planning of individual therapy for each child according to evaluation
 Regular assessment of periodic progresses every three months
 Monthly case conference (with optional presence of parents) to review the child's progress and to
define the future plan of action
 Annual assessment towards the end of the academic session to discuss promotion of the child
 Different skill training programs for children above 10 years to enable the selection of a vocation for
future career

1.5. Staff
The school principal will be the administrator of the school and will work with special educators (teacher-
student ratio 1:8), sport and music teachers, computer instructors, counselors and paramedical staff.
This professional team will be assisted by helpers. Two drivers will ferry the children from their
residence to ASRA school and back.

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2. Concept Note of Architect
Kumar Moorthy & Associates
in association with
Bhupesh Tandon & Associates

The construction of a school for children with special needs was initially
envisaged on the newly purchased 135.3 sq.m plot of land immediately behind the preexisting ASRA
rehabilitation center.

The new building to act as a contiguous extension of the prior building, and thus also integrate
functionally as an extension of the organization's work in order to render the centre wholistic in both , its
approach and effectiveness of outreach, as a non profit voluntary organization working in the field of
persons with disability. Thus additional spaces felt necessary for the centre like a large gathering space
for functions as well as spaces enabling skill development training and networking with other
organizations to also be accomodated within this building along with the school.

To that extent, in a meeting held on 11.3.15 and discussions therein, the donors (being ASRA
Switzerland represented by a few members) have agreed to envisage the reorganization as below of
activities between the existing & proposed floor areas to render more logical contiguities of function but
without very major expense or modification to the existing building:

 Demolition of the existing ramp at the rear of the building & reclocation of the same to the side to
both - free up additional 64.67 sq.m (45%) extra floor space for the new building as well as enable
the floor plate to be at the same level.
 Rebuilding of existing toilets in a new location since they will be displaced by the new ramp.
 Relocation of activities within the existing building in order to put similar or synergistic activities
between existing & new building on the same floor as also better utilize relatively unused areas
within the existing building. Both to be done largely through only shifting of activity & / or loose
furniture but no major demolition or reconstruction work.
 Other than the above it is proposed to install a lift in the provision already made within the existing
building & to utilize it for both the existing & new buildings.

The new building to thus be designed on the total 199.9 sq.m (i.e 2152.35 sq.ft ) area incorporating the
area of the existing ramp (to be dismantled & relocated) and new plot of 135.30 sq.m (i.e 1456.3 sq.ft )

2.1. Design Objectives

The design of the spaces within the new building, especially those pertaining to the special school to be
based on feedback received from experts in the Special Education field including Prof. Sushama
Sharma & Ms Radha Kumari with respect to classroom sizes, nos of students, allied areas etc.
Programme below incorporates the received information.

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Other than with respect to space programming as above, as with the design of the existing centre
building, the architects propose to incorporate the objective of adopting important universally desirable
motives so that the building reflects a furtherance of ASRA's larger concerns.

 The building is to be used largely by and for the disabled and thus must be fully accessible and
disabled friendly.
 The said disabled end user would be from the socio economically and financially depressed section
of urban society and thus the building must seek to not intimidate - but to befriend, to be not reticent
or exclusive - but inclusive, and provide a conducive environment to motivate the end user to
empower themself through the centre's facilities.
 The building must seek to use the funds provided aptly but spartanly, to intelligently use both
available and possibly newly thought out methods and techniques of design and construction to
minimize both initial cost and the recurring expenses of maintenance and provision of services - to
reflect the fact that it is being built by a non profit organization in an altruistic manner with scarce
funds donated by individuals and bodies.

2.2. Design Note

Approachability
A building that does not intimidate the depressed and thus unempowered and largely unmotivated end
user but evokes a warm , humane and inviting feeling could be made possible
 through the use of warmer, earthier natural materials, tones and textures
 through the downscaling or disaggregation of masses and volumes (as opposed to a large
intimidating faceless block of a building
 through the use of elements that recall rural or vernacular habitats and architecture eg. Jali walls,
niches, warm terracotta floors, rougher and seemingly handcrafted finishes and details
 through the provision of spaces that engender interaction and thus a feeling of community
eg.courtyards, (as opposed to buildings which look like bureaucratic mazes)

Low Cost; Alternative Approaches & Technology

 Minimizing the use or steel & concrete with different alternative technology i.e. funicular roof, jack
arch roofs, natural brick arch lintels and much other available and technically sound methods
 Provisions of openings with frameless surrounds (no frames ,only shutters, rebates provided in IPS
plaster on the soffits )
 Provision of apertures for natural ventilation from shaded and unexposed areas within the building in
apertures within the brick work
 Using recycled glass or glass bottles inset into walls for light and splashes of enlivening colour and
detail.
 Using old salvaged doors and windows (though possibly mismatched but thus that much more
intereresting ).

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 Using china mosaic of broken tiles for tiling in wet areas and even for open courts / terraces,
balconies etc
 Flooring in plain terracotta or other colour pigmented cement floor (Indian
Patent Stone flooring)

3. Plot Characteristics
Kumar Moorthy & Associates
in association with
Bhupesh Tandon & Associates

ORIGINAL NEW PLOT 22'8" x 64'3" = 1456.329 SQ.FT i.e. 135.3 sq.m
RAMP AREA 10'10" x 64'3" = 696.0 SQ.FT i.e. 64.66 sq.m
THUS TOTAL AREA 33'5" x 64'3" = 2152.375 SQ.FT i.e. 199.96 sq.m

 FAR i.e total constructed area allowed = 300% 6457.1 sq.ft

 Maximum covered area on one floor = 75% 1614.3 sq.ft
 No of floors permitted = 4 6457.1 sq.ft
 Other than above 3 floors stilt is permitted free of FAR & is mandatory for new buildings (parking)
 Basement is permitted free of FAR but for reasons of security of adjacent building to be setback
adequately from adjacent building foundations.

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4. Estimate of Costs
4.1. Overview

Item INR CHF

Land Purchase 21'605'000 332'000

Building 24'269'000 373'000
Equipment 2'290'000 35'000

Total 48'164'000 740'000

Running Costs per year 6'500'000 100'000

4.2. Estimate of Construction Costs

NEW BUILDING Sq. Ft.

BUILT UP AREA OF NEW BUILDING 8798.68
BULT UP AREA OF ROOF HALL 2608
BUILT UP AREA OF CANTILEVER ELEMENTS 1318.45
EXTERNAL DEVELOPMENT AREA 538.072

DEMOLITION AND RECONSTRUCTION Sq. Ft

DEMOLITION WITHIN OLD BUILDING 1208.75
RECONSTRUCTION AREA TOILETS 320
NEW CONSTRUCTION RAMP 568.75

CALCULATION OF COSTS THUS Sq.Ft. Cost / Cost in INR

Sq.Ft
BASIC CONSTRUCTION COSTS NEW BUILT AREA 8789.68 1500 13'184'526.3
CONSTRUCTION COSTS P.E.B. ROOF HALL 2607.75 400 1'043'100.0
BASIC CONSTRUCTION COSTS CANTILEVER 1318.45 900 1'186'607.4
BASIC CONSTRUCTION COSTS EXT. DEV. 538.072 450 242'132.6

NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTION COSTS 15'656'366.2

ESTIMATED DEMOLITION COSTS 1208.75 250 302'187.5

RECONSTRUCTION COSTS TOILETS 320 1000 320'000
RAMP CONSTRUCTION COSTS RAMP 568.75 1200 682'500.0

RECONSTRUCTION COSTS 1'304'687.5

TOTAL PROJECT COSTS 16'961'053.72

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4.3. Estimate of Total Costs of Building

Item Amount
INR CHF
Construction Cost 17'000'000 261'538
10% Construction and Service 1'700'000 26'154
Tax
20% Reserve for Construction 3'400'000 52'308
Cost
Lift 1'200'000 18'462
Architect Fee (5% of project 969'000 14'907
cost), including 14% tax
Total 24'269'000 373'369

4.4. Estimate of Equipment Costs (non-recurring costs)

Item No. Rate Amount

INR CHF
Furniture for 120 1'000 120'000 1'846
classrooms (tables,
chairs)

Furniture and books 100'000 1'538

for resource room
TV, VCR, LCD 500'000 7'692
projector, screen,
video for resource
room

LCD projector & TV at 120'000 1'846

reception
Indoor & outdoor 50'000 769
games material
Teaching & learning 100'000 1'538
material
Music instruments 150'000 2'308

Kitchen equipment for 150'000 2'308

supplementary
nutrition

Van Omni 2 500'000 1'000'000 15'385

Total 2'290'000 35'230

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4.5. Estimate of Running Costs (recurring costs)

Recurring
Amount
Expenses
INR CHF

Particulars No Rate per head For 1 Month For 12 mths For 12 mths
st st
(1 year) (1 year)
Principal 1 25'000 25'000 300'000 4'615
Special educators 10 15'000 150'000 1'800'000 27'692
Physiotherapist 1 25'000 25'000 300'000 4'615
Occupational 1 25'000 25'000 300'000 4'615
therapist
Speech therapist 1 25'000 25'000 300'000 4'615
Sports teacher 1 15'000 15'000 180'000 2'769
Music teacher 1 15'000 15'000 180'000 2'769
Computer 1 15'000 15'000 180'000 2'769
instructor
Counsellor 1 25'000 25'000 300'000 4'615
Helpers 6 8'000 48'000 576'000 8'862
Driver 2 15'000 30'000 360'000 5'538
Stationery, books 100 1'000 100'000 1'538
etc. for children
Uniforms and 100 2'000 200'000 3'077
shoes for 100
children
Stationery, Xerox, 10'000 120'000 1'846
printing, e-mail,
etc.
Water, electricity 10'000 120'000 1'846
Maintenance of 2 20'000 40'000 480'000 7'385
van (fuel etc.)
Supplementary 110 20 210 462'000 7'108
nutrition (210 (working
working days a days)
year)
Total 6'258'000 96'274
Miscellaneous 10% of total 12 month expenses 625'800 9'627

Total 6'883'800 105'901

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