GAJ (Godwin Austen Johnson), one of the largest British architectural and design practices based in the UAE, said it has completed a major refurbishment of the new administration block of Dubai College.

The next phase of work, which involves the development of a sports hall and drama building, will begin later this year, stated the company.

An award-winning and multi-disciplinary architecture, interior design, specialist lighting and MEP practice, GAJ has particular expertise in hotel and hospitality, residential and commercial, education, sport and leisure design.

Delivering the latest in a line of upgrades for the institution, GAJ said the existing D Block, previously the administration building, has undergone an extensive refurbishment to create a modern teaching space with open plan spaces and think tanks creating a collaborative learning environment for students and teachers.

“The think tanks and open plan spaces are a complete shift in traditional teaching methods. We wanted to remove the blackboard approach and provide more collaborative spaces that embrace a more contemporary style of teaching with more technology and more interaction,” explained Jason Burnside, partner at GAJ.

Throughout the work the plan was to keep the existing building but completely remodel it stripping it back to its shell with insulation being incorporated into the walls and the roof to improve the thermal rating of the building, he added.

Burnside pointed out that the new energy-efficient building now features a 140-seat lecture hall and nine classrooms with a teacher training space as well as informal study pods with writing walls and desks where students can choose to work together or study independently.

“Our work on the college has always been carefully considered in terms of how we go from one plot to the next without impacting too much on the day to day activities of the campus and its students,” he stated.

“Equally important is the sustainability of the campus. When designing the new buildings it’s not just about the physical teaching spaces but also about how the school will cater to future demands as it grows and develops,” he added.

GAJ is one of the longest-established UK architectural and design practices in the UAE. Throughout its history, which spans almost 30 years, the company has created some of the emirates' most iconic buildings.-TradeArabia News Service

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