Kathmandu Orphan children make up 2.33 per cent of the world’s population. In Nepal, about 5.5 per cent of the total child population (11,084,311 children) between aged 0-17 (as per 2011 census) are orphans. This figure has gone up after the Gorkha earthquake in 2015, which affected nearly two million children, making 320,000 homeless. An orphanage is a residential institution dedicated to the care of orphans. A number of organisations and individuals are working for children’s welfare in Nepal in rented houses catering to only a small number of orphans. Among the children, only 30 per cent are orphans and the remaining has either one or both parents living. Designing an orphanage is complex as it requires including living, educational and health facilities in a family environment considering child psychology. Building form, space layout and detailing An orphanage generally consists of two major parts: individual units in the form of cottage with 5-6 children along with a houseparent and a common building for learning and playing including health care facility. In order to achieve a homely environment, the bedrooms should have access from a common room rather than opening to a long corridor. Different units along with landscape elements must be juxtaposed to create enclosed outdoor spaces for social interaction among children from different units. Such outdoor spaces should also be equipped with furniture, plantation and sheds protecting from the sun and rain. Learning spaces can be better designed using natural materials (wood, living plants, natural lighting and ventilation) by bringing natural world indoors or by providing learning opportunities outdoors. Daily access to and use of an outdoor space is necessary for interaction with nature as well as with friends. Huge bulky units with longer building façade that creates the feeling of institutional or industrial environment must be avoided. Instead short blocks with provisions of balcony and terraces, brick exposed elevation, sloped portion and geometrical shaped elements with few steeping (up and down) on the gardens must be given preference. Children love primary colours on their walls, floorings, and ceilings as well as for beds, tables and outdoor furniture. For child safety, all counters, shelves, sills, corners, ledges and edges at child height must have a rounded corner, doors should swing away from the children’s play area and water taps should be placed at different heights with non-slippery flooring. Supports to make orphans independent Various supports are essential to make orphans independent and fit into the society they are in. They need skill development, health and hygiene, educational and recreational facilities, besides shelter provision. School contributes to a child’s social integration and psychosocial development and provide a safe, structure environment for education and skill development. A child who knows how to read, write, do basic arithmetic and develop life skills has a solid foundation for continued learning throughout life. The author is an architect and urban designer and can be reached at bkshrestha@hotmail.com