for their latest work, design studio NUDES is using architecture to tackle the issue of illiteracy in india. the project – which is aptly titled ‘bookworm’ – takes the form of a deployable pavilion that has been erected on a site in mumbai. designed to create an interactive learning space, the main concept behind the intervention is to encourage children to enjoy reading, in line with the UN’s sustainable development goal for ‘all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, to achieve literacy and numeracy’ by 2030.

the pavilion aims to foster a love for reading irrespective of the language

all images © sameer chawda

the bookworm measures 120 ft long and 40 ft wide. the pavilion takes on a low, winding shape that is designed by NUDES to create a welcoming space as opposed to traditional libraries or institutional buildings that may be intimating to young children. the intervention includes areas for sitting and storytelling and can house approximately 12,000 books, which have been donated by severals schools across the city. in short, the ‘bookscape’ intends to make reading a fun and enjoyable activity, inviting kids to simultaneously explore and learn.

the pavilion measures 120 ft long by 40 ft wide

with the idea to spread a message of ’empowerment through education’, NUDES has designed the bookworm to travel across india, in both rural and urban areas. the structure is built using 3600 modular pre-fabricated components, meaning that it can be easily dismantled, transported and reassembled on different sites. deployed on site within a week, the pavilion also boasts a low carbon footprint and promotes sustainable building technologies.

the bookworm is fabricated from modular components

this project has been realized to address the startling number of people that still lack basic reading and writing skills across the world, and especially in sub-saharan africa and southern asia. proven to help improve health, reduce crime and alleviate poverty, boosting literacy rates marks an important step in providing better opportunities to all. NUDES’ bookworm has been supported by priyasri art gallery in collaboration with the CSMVS museum in affiliation with the children’s museum CSMVS. the pavilion will remain on site at the museum lawns in mumbai until december 2019 before traveling all over india, from cities to rural areas.

the pavilion ‘worms’ through the landscape to offer a unique browsing experience along a meandering pathway

the pavilion could also be experienced ‘inside-out’ to offer shaded reading and browsing areas

access entry points are created to explore the bookworm inside – out

the pavilion houses seating and storytelling areas

the pavilion is fabricated from recycled plywood and has a low carbon footprint

the pavilion can house approximately 12,000 books

aerial view of the pavilion

layouts illustrating the interior spaces of the pavilion

the pavilion is deployable and intends to travel across the country in both rural and urban areas

project info:

project name: bookworm pavilion

location: chhatrapati shivaji maharaj vastu sangrahalaya (CSMVS), mumbai, india

architect: NUDES

design team: nuru karim (founder & design principal NUDES), aditya jain, dhruval shah, salai v, jenish merchant, a aravind, supriya dubey

area: 4800 ft2 (445.93 m2)

materials: recycled plywood

photography: sameer chawda