UK architects win deal for new Dubai college

By Reuters
  • Saturday, 10 November 2012 9:58 AM
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An artist's impression of the new Jumeirah College.

An artist's impression of the new Jumeirah College.

UK-based architects BDP has been commissioned for the relocation of a prestigious primary and secondary school in Jumeirah, Dubai. 

The $45m relocation of Jumeirah College to Al Khail Road will provide additional facilities for 2,300 students.

The new building has already started on site and will be a showcase school for the charitable organisation GEMS Education, the company said in a statement.

The complex contains three main school groups - foundations, primary and secondary, which are designed as schools within schools. 

These groups are set around the main shared spaces which comprise a 600-seat auditorium, administration elements and a spectacular dining area overlooking sports fields and a sports complex with two swimming pools, a gymnasium and training facilities.

Project director Wayne Head said: “This commission provides an exciting opportunity to create fantastic new facilities for this well-established school.

"The buildings are designed to reduce the solar gain of direct midday sunlight which can reach 50°C. They each look onto palm filled courtyards which bring light, fresh air and planting into the core building wings.

"As well as the planting, a series of fins set to the front helps to shade the buildings and are coloured in the seven sands of the Emirates.”

The design is a close collaboration between BDP’s London and Abu Dhabi studios. The first phase of completion, consisting of the foundation and secondary school stages, is expected in September 2013.

The site area is 42,500 sq m and the gross floor area of the three storey school is 30,000 sq m. The construction cost is in the region of $45m.

Founded in 1961, BDP now has studios across the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, the MENA region, India, and China.

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Posted by: AnotherParent Monday, 12 November 2012 1:12 PM[UAE] - UAE

I think before we all get carried away with the new school building, the logistical nightmare and the loss of community, we might want to look at the effect the four rows of 400mgwt power-lines might have on the children longer term. Fortunately, the UK, where the majority of the Parents come from, has exacting regulations regarding EMF and schools.

I cant remember a consultation meeting where environment issues such as EMF Emissions were discussed along with international safety issues.

Lets see what happens!!

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Posted by: manie Monday, 12 November 2012 11:35 AM[UAE] - Dubai

Never Non of the mayority of projects from overseas consultancies are contextualize. Even with such extreme condition like in Dubai. Cultural, Weather, Environment,Access traffic impact, Neighbourhood, Materials used as per local manufacturing, they are not on the design concept inputs.
It actual has the theme of a fittness club, like WSO.

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Posted by: Michael Monday, 12 November 2012 10:25 AM[UAE] - UAE

charitable organization? very funny..lol.

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Posted by: john alexander smith Sunday, 11 November 2012 4:50 PM[UAE] - United Arab Emirates

This will be a huge school comparable with a university campus and the building footprint will cover one hectare of ground (2 football pitches equivalent). Apparently the entire present JC community is to be relocated next year to the site without any phased mechanism. Were the owners to be issued with a practical completion certificate for September 2013, it is difficult to envisage anything other than sheer chaos arising from a heady mix of new transportation routes, revised carparking and dropping-off procedures, new security procedures, three school systems in one, three new intakes in one, sundry site traffic, workers and ongoing construction/installation works, etc., etc. As far as the 'artist's impression of the new Jumeirah College' is concerned, I sincerely hope that the architects can design something more appropriate to the Dubai context than the system building 'solution' indicated. The banal entrance canopy design above, looks as if it has been borrowed from a racecourse.

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Posted by: kingkaiser Sunday, 11 November 2012 4:10 PM[UAE] - UAE

"Charitable organization"?? Could we get a list of the charities aided, and the quantum of support relative to the income?



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