An innovative design creates a learning-friendly environment and fosters a culture of creativity amongst students. A study conducted by Salford University in the United Kingdom found that a well designed classroom could increase student performance by as much as 25%. As the populations of the Dubai and Abu Dhabi grow rapidly, a number of newly constructed schools are embracing modern educational design trends for this reason. Schools appreciate the important role design plays in helping students achieve success.
With so much competition within the education industry in the UAE and the MENA region in general, schools are looking to distinguish themselves from the competition by highlighting architectural features that boost the facilities educational value. One school that has placed design at the forefront is The Arcadia Preparatory School in Jumeirah Village Triangle, Dubai. Designed by Godwin Austen Johnson, a leading Dubai-based architectural firm, creating an environment that inspired students was the key to the project’s success. According to Jason Burnside, partner at Godwin Austen Johnson ‘The Arcadia Preparatory School is a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility that was designed in line with the client’s aspiration to create a school that provides a flexible, open-plan learning environment for pupils.’
As you enter the school, the amount of open space, the vibrant colours, and the impressive wooden staircase in the lobby are instantly striking. The school’s classrooms, located around the edge of the building, surround the central courtyard, allowing natural light to fill the learning spaces. ‘The interiors of The Arcadia Preparatory School are designed to reflect the high quality and progressive thinking of the education provided within its classrooms and shared facilities,’ noted Mr. Burnside.
Open-plan learning environments are becoming increasingly popular for educational design within the Middle East. The move away from traditional classrooms encourages a sense of community amongst students. Schools with an open-plan layout also tend to have better behaved children. It appears the lack of boundaries and the emphasis on community that these styles of schools encourage has a dramatic effect on young learners. Open-plan learning encourages conversation, co-operation and collaboration, key skills to develop at a young age.
The Arcadia Preparatory School also has centralised hubs where children can read a book or engage in group exercises. With more and more businesses adopting this model, encouraging children to use these hubs is not only a great way to improve their social skills, but it’s also preparing them for their future careers.
To promote your institution’s design and architectural features to prospective students and parents through architectural fit out photography, email Chris Goldstraw Photography at chris@chrisgoldstraw.com.