An Integrated Design Approach To A Great Learning Environment

Project: ADEC School and Stand-alone Kindergarten, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Contemporary theories on school habitats advocate the development of a child-centered environment for schools—a ‘home away from home’ that youngsters can explore and make their own. While adhering to this philosophy, sustainability is also kept as a key design driver, with the extensive use of natural light and passive design strategies incorporated in a visible way to engage with students as part of their learning experience. Our endeavor is to provide a ‘fluid learning experience’ for the children, which is not only limited to classrooms but also extends to the outdoor learning communities, so as to maximize interaction between the children and their environment. Our focus is on architecture and spatial design that can evolve as a tool to complement their surroundings.

The building blocks have been oriented towards north-south to mitigate the harsh climate of Abu Dhabi. We intend to utilize the concept of mutual shading from historic connotations, to maximize daylight and minimize heat gain. Thus, we have formulated courtyards with varied scales to not only provide mutually-shaded outdoor spaces but also to increase their seamless interaction with the indoor spaces, which in turn will encourage the children to indulge in physical activities and become inquisitive towards nature.

The front façade has been given a simple, yet bold language through the use of a combination of solid massing with brick tile cladding and transparent glass, to maximize the passive sustainability of the school. The use of glass connects the external surroundings with the building. Overhangs, sun shading vertical louvers, and small slit-punched windows have been provided to reinforce the concept of maximizing daylight and minimizing heat gain. Sunscreens have been inculcated towards the east and west side to protect the outdoor learning communities for both boys and girls.