"Studio EMKAAN creates an environment that feels both familiar and otherworldly for Al Fanar Educational Facility, located in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai. Its all-white dome structures, which the architects liken to a mother's womb, are conceived as protective, nurturing forms that cradle creativity and growth. The school introduces a spatial language that seeks to resonate with children's imaginations, turning daily routines into journeys through spaces."
"This ability to adapt without losing sight of the original vision became central to the identity of the project. Principal architect Muhammad Obaid compares the school to the koi fish, an enduring symbol of perseverance and transformation. Just as the koi navigates obstacles while maintaining its path, Al Fanar translates challenges into possibilities, ensuring the design remains true to its intent of sparking curiosity and imagination."
"Early studies drew from the Cal-Earth technique, where sandbags inspired by rammed-earth construction were stacked to create sustainable domes. Teachers participated in building these first structures, infusing the fabric of the school with their enthusiasm for learning. The intention was that students, too, might one day contribute to the making of their own environment. Yet, when UAE fire safety regulations required abandoning sandbags in favor of concrete, the team embraced the change as an opportunity."
Al Fanar Educational Facility in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai uses a cluster of all-white dome structures designed as protective, nurturing forms that stimulate children's imaginations. The domes evoke maternal, womb-like qualities while creating a spatial language that transforms routines into exploratory journeys. Design response prioritized adaptability; early experiments used Cal-Earth sandbag domes with teacher-led construction to embed learning culture and potential student participation. UAE fire-safety rules necessitated switching to concrete, which enabled finer control of openings and skylights. Circular skylights were studied to follow the sun's path, producing shifting patterns of light and shadow that connect occupants to natural rhythms.
Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine
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