IND is announced as the winner of the international contest for a cutting-edge school concept in Dubai. The global competition brought together six prestigious architectural firms from around the world, presenting their concepts for a progressive school facility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The contest, organized by Archid Studio – a UAE based architectural design company specializing in digital twin and BIM technologies –, aimed to provide an innovative approach to the architectural design of school facilities, while embracing modern solutions and sustainable technologies.
IND’s winning concept impressed the judging panel, consisting of the future school investor and future building operator, with its visionary approach, seamlessly blending modern design elements, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology. The design creates an inspiring and inviting atmosphere that nurtures a love for learning, perfectly aligning with the needs of modern education.
“In this project, through architecture and design, we address the future approach to school education. I firmly believe that a properly programmed multifunctional school space helps children develop emotional intelligence, train soft skills – social and leadership abilities, and foster a deep interest in life. While we are not responsible for the organization of the learning process, our project incorporates all possibilities to ensure that this process is always engaging and captivating,” commented Amir Idiatulin, founder and CEO at IND. “We are currently in the project development stage and enthusiastically engaged in close collaboration with Archid Studio and relevant stakeholders, actively working towards bringing the winning design to life.”
“Society begins with children – their nurturing, development, education, and integration into the world. 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,” adds Nikolay Faneev, the project’s chief architect and IND associate partner.
“Among the impressive participants, IND’s exceptional design proposal stood out, earning them the esteemed title of the winning entry. Their design prioritizes the needs of modern education, accommodating flexible learning spaces, advanced facilities, and emphasizing sustainability alongside remarkable design,” stated Artem Salikov, CEO of Archid Studio, expressing his excitement and satisfaction with the contest outcome.
The four-story school building, spanning an area of 25,000 square meters, is designed to cater to 1750 pupils, featuring separate entrances to distinguish between the flows of different age groups.
Additionally, the school encompasses a kindergarten and boarding facilities to comfortably accommodate 60 students for overnight stays.
The public spaces within the school building are highly functional and versatile. To promote physical activity and cater to the inherent inclination of children to run rather than walk, the school incorporates ramps instead of stairs for transitions between different levels and floors, allowing students to move swiftly and minimize the risk of injury.
The amphitheater, atrium, and sports hall can transform into studios or venues for various events, including celebrations, award ceremonies, and theatrical performances. The facilities include play areas, sports zones, concert halls, and a swimming pool. Climate adaptation is prioritized, with a parametric sun-considerating facade and self-shaded courtyards, ensuring comfortable and energy-efficient environments.
The construction of the school is planned to be completed by August 2026, with construction set to begin in May 2024.
