Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ), one of the largest UK architectural and design practices, said 2016 was an exceptional year as of the 15 new schools that opened in Dubai during the last academic year, more than one-third have been designed by the company.

“We have had an exceptional 12 months with six new schools completed in a very short space of time,” remarked Jason Burnside, partner at GAJ.

These include the Ladybird Early Learning Centre, Emirates International School–Jumeirah as well as the Sunmarke School located in Jumeirah Village Triangle and the Gems Metropole and Gems International School.  

Ladybird Early Learning Centre is the first dedicated early years setting in the Middle East and the fourth in the world to win the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (Leed) Gold certification.

The Dubai-based firm also handed over the award-winning Arcadia Preparatory School, a purpose-built facility that sets a benchmark in sustainable design, construction and operation.

"We have been fortunate to partner with such visionaries as Emirates International School, Arcadia and Gems which has meant that we have been given the freedom to design schools that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional," said Burnside.

“When we take on a new school project we are considering two things. In the first instance it needs to be a cost effective design but equally the spaces we design are inspiring, efficient and engaging,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service