Kypad Design Office LLP presents Ikigai – a Furniture-Free Preschool Rooted in Sensory Learning

Located in Matunga, Mumbai, this innovative 1200 sq. ft. early-learning environment is conceived around the idea that “this school is all about the walls.” The design, hence, embraces a completely furniture-free philosophy that emphasises transforming vertical surfaces into active learning tools. The spatial strategy draws from Japanese minimalism, using whites and carefully curated pastel tones to create a calm yet engaging atmosphere for children between 1.5 – 5 years.


The layout of the school is planned around movement and exploration. Separate parent and child entry zones ensure smooth circulation, leading into a central corridor that connects five themed learning environments: The Exploratory, The Studio, The Language Lab, The Atelier, and The Discovery. Each zone is designed around gross motor, fine motor, sensory, and imaginative play.

• The Language Lab is entered through a playful slide that instantly sets the tone for joyful learning.
• The Discovery is a double-height sensory room with a ceiling mirror that visually expands space and encourages self-perception and curiosity.
• The Atelier is a pretend-play neighbourhood with scaled-down stations designed for guided imagination.
• The Exploratory features soft-play inserts, climbing ropes, and colour-coded activity walls.

Soft rubberwood, rounded edges, and toxic-free paints ensure that the environment is both safe and child-centric. By eliminating furniture and creating multifunctional activity zones, the project reduces material usage, enhances spatial flexibility, and supports emotional, sensory, and physical development.

Our belief in experiential learning spaces inspired us to conceive this pre-school as a space that encourages unrestrained movement, exploration, and learning through play.

Ar. Abhilasha Porwal and Ar. Prathik Joshi
Founders
Kypad Design Office LLP