International School in Dubai

The four-story school building, spanning an area of 25,000 square meters, is designed to cater to 1750 students including kindergarten pupils. Embracing the idea of openness, the school embodies a fundamentally different approach from the conventional corridor-type layout. The school design encourages students to engage in communication, foster relationships, and build connections, creating an inspiring and attractive atmosphere where children's boundless imagination blossoms and emotional intelligence develops, perfectly aligning with the needs of modern education. We created our school to encourage children – with their curiosity, emotions, and energy – to come together in communities, to be inspired by their environment to generate new ideas, and to derive the utmost benefit from the educational process. Functional zoning caters to the needs of various age groups, including both preschoolers and students from junior to senior classes. The school features "cores" with public function, such as atriums, amphitheaters, and workshops, while classrooms are spanning along the building's perimeter. Every zone within the school serves multiple functions, offering students the freedom to explore their passions and collaborate with peers. The amphitheater, atrium, and sports hall can transform into studios or venues for various events, including celebrations, award ceremonies, and theatrical performances. They are also designed to facilitate small group collaborations, communication, and fun on a daily basis. Another example of a children-oriented approach is the introduction of a large central ramp that connects the school's floors and facilitates seamless movement, upholding the concept of an open educational environment. It also promotes safe physical activity while acknowledging children's natural inclination to run. We have also incorporated various play– and sportsgrounds for students of different age groups, including an outdoor football field and an indoor swimming pool, located in a separate wing of the building. Climate adaptation was one of the key design priorities of our project given the Dubai climate specifics. Parametric sun-considerating facade and self-shaded courtyards, created by the shape of the building ensure comfortable and energy-efficient environments.