The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls' School: Where Engineering Meets Sustainability 

August 18, 2025

Sofia McGrath

The Young Women’s Leadership Schools of Queens

12th Grade

Designed by Diana Kellogg and commissioned by the CITTA, the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls’ School is an engineering marvel created to help young girls thrive and receive formal education. Located in Salkha, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, this school resides in the heart of the Thar Desert. In this region, there are prevalent economic struggles and low female literacy rates, thereby creating the need for this school. The location poses unique challenges due to the hot desert climate; however, the sustainable design mitigates these issues, contributing to the fascination behind the engineering. The engineering behind the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls’ School is crucial to maintaining the educational environment for potentially hundreds of girls. 

The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls’ School: Engineering

The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls’ School utilizes a solar panel canopy on the roof, acting as a cooling system, a crucial feature in a location where temperatures may reach up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius). Solar panels also energize the fans and lighting. Additionally, Diana Kellogg integrated natural cooling features into the school's infrastructure, such as the jalis: carved lattice screens that the school uses to sustain ventilation by creating breezes. The oval shape of the structure channels this breeze, helping promote airflow and cool the building. The school effectively implements aerodynamics to optimize the prevailing winds of the desert to maintain a cooling system. Thick walls with few openings regulate the internal temperatures of the building while also keeping the sun and sand out.

The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls’ School: Sustainability

Notably, the school is sustainable, acting as a refuge against the harsh climatic conditions while not exacerbating environmental stress. The water harvesting system employs a traditional technique involving underground water tanks called “taankas” and “kunds” to capture rainwater from areas like rooftops, courtyards, and other catchment areas, which helps to reduce water consumption and wastage. Numerous materials in the project were also sourced locally or in relative proximity. For example, the yellow stones in the school’s infrastructure were sourced in Moolsagar, a mere 30 kilometers away. Furthermore, regional artisans, typically the girls' fathers, carved the sandstone, thus showcasing the proactive efforts in mitigating the ecological footprint of the school.

The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls’ School serves as an example of how ingenious engineering and environmental mindfulness can be used to improve the lives of others.As climate change heightens, following the example of the Rajkumari Ratnavati School can prove to be beneficial in sustaining and enhancing the livelihoods of people while minimizing stress on the environment.