Soulful Spaces by J R Nandikaa Raj
Diploma in Interior Design
Nandikaa Raj looked at the classic “orphanage” and said, “No” flipping the script. Instead of some cold building, she’s cooked up this idea where an orphanage can actually feel like a home. Not just in the “throw a comfy couch in there” sense, but a real home, where kids don’t feel like outsiders but belong.
The theme of the whole project is PAUSE—Prioritising a Sense of Ease. Instead of being weighed down by their past, kids get a chance to breathe. See it in the colors—no dull, depressing stuff. Bright, happy vibes, sunlight pouring in, squishy soft rugs under bare feet. Everything conveys comfort and a lot of joy.
It’s not just about making things look pretty. Every little area, from the nooks for sleeping to the corners for learning and those in-betweens where you flop down and daydream, are tailored to kids being kids. Express yourself, be weird, feel safe—it’s all invited.
She doesn’t forget privacy, either. Each kid gets their own space to just be, maybe stare at the ceiling and plot world domination, undisturbed. And because no home is an island, there are areas where the community can come in for workshops, events, etc., breaking that lonely, closed-off feel a lot of orphanages have. You can practically hear the laughter bouncing off the walls.
It’s got heart. It’s not just a roof that has to be dealt with, it’s a breather, a shot at finding your footing. Nandikaa’s showing people that an orphanage doesn’t have to be a last resort. With a little compassion, it can morph into an honest-to-goodness home full of warmth, hope, and endless possibility.
She doesn’t forget privacy, either. Each kid gets their own space to just be, maybe stare at the ceiling and plot world domination, undisturbed. And because no home is an island, there are areas where the community can come in for workshops, events, etc., breaking that lonely, closed-off feel a lot of orphanages have. You can practically hear the laughter bouncing off the walls.
It’s got heart. It’s not just a roof that has to be dealt with, it’s a breather, a shot at finding your footing. Nandikaa’s showing people that an orphanage doesn’t have to be a last resort. With a little compassion, it can morph into an honest-to-goodness home full of warmth, hope, and endless possibility.
