This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a fun and engaging sixth form hub design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Lulie Fisher Design Studio.
Lulie Fisher Design Studio was commissioned by Sunmarke School, Dubai to convert existing classrooms and offices into a state of the art Sixth Form Hub. The brief was to create an iconic space that is cool and funky enough to appeal to 16 -18 year olds whilst being engaging, aspirational and functional. Activities are clustered around a central “garden courtyard” which forms the heart of the facility and is comprised of a series of organically shaped ribbed, timber decks stepping and overlapping to form arrangements at varying heights to act as seating, banquettes and study counters.
SBID Awards Category: Public Space
Practice: Lulie Fisher Design Studio
Project: Sunmarke School Sixth Form Hub
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Lulie Fisher Design Studio was commissioned by Sunmarke School, Dubai to convert half an existing floor plate comprising classrooms, corridor, and offices into a state of the art Sixth Form Hub. In the competitive world of Dubai schools, our brief was to create an iconic space that is cool and funky enough to appeal to 16 -18-year-olds whilst being engaging, aspirational and functional as a superior facility for study. In summary it needed to stand out from the crowd of its competitors and have the “wow” and “cool” factor to attract the students who at 6th form level tend to be the primary decision makers in school selection. It was also important that the environment be a serious and sophisticated work one akin to a university style, collegiate environment rather than a school, to foster independence and maturity. The atmosphere was to be one of work rather than play. The brief of areas comprised a presentation area for 60 students for visiting speakers and career discussions; diverse modes of study ranging from collaborative, semi-independent and independent; a self-service F&B area, pastoral office accommodation including career and counselling offices and dedicated sixth form student toilets.
The sixth form hub acts as a home base for students when not actively participating in lessons and the central garden with its greenery, daylight, warm palette, and soft finishes coupled with the multitude of study and seating styles, provides the perfect respite for contemplation, study, collaboration, relaxation and nurture and a touch of communing with nature. The functions of the hub are clustered around a central garden courtyard which forms the heart of the facility and is comprised of a series of organically shaped ribbed, timber decks stepping and overlapping to form arrangements at varying heights to act as seating, banquettes, and study counters. Trees and planting are incorporated into the centre of the deck elements and “skylights” comprised of suspended circular stretched fabric concealing daylight simulating light sources are suspended above. This central garden courtyard is a space of collaboration and meeting and the fully enabled platforms have been artfully clustered around a central presentation area where a large format digital screen will be wheeled into place as needed from its dedicated storage place at the perimeter. The floor finish in the garden is picked out in shades of green and pebble and follows the organic shapes created by the decks and inset into a background of grey-toned tiles. Sunny yellow carpets highlight perimeter areas, and the overall palette is fresh, warm and inspired by the earth and natural elements.
Existing columns and riser ducts have been disguised in lozenge shaped plasterboard casings and integrated into platforms or banquette designs. A dado of variously ribbed timber, fluted upholstery and paint colours anchor these elements into the design. The perimeter of the hub is occupied with a combination of private and contemplative spaces, communal worktables, acoustically treated study booths for single use, two or four person working groups, bench seating for casual working, bar counter height work stations and soft clusters of sofas and armchairs. In this way a myriad of study modes is possible to suit all preferences.
Acoustic treatment and privacy have been carefully considered in the design by passive zoning of activities in plan and by more active placement of oversized acoustic lighting features, acoustic wall panels in the form or decorative features and acoustically absorbent fabric lined booths. Pairs of glazed offices for pastoral support and designed to have a nurturing and hospitality aesthetic have been located centrally along either side of the main perimeter walls not only with the purpose of providing uninterrupted lines of sight to the student areas but for providing alcoves either side for quiet study.
A self-serve bar has been provided at one end of the facility with a pistachio green tiled wall and tiled shelving where students can help themselves to hot and cold drinks, prepare food and socialise. An existing toilet block has been upgraded into a dedicated sixth form facility with the introduction of banded tiling in terracotta, white and deep blue, and over-sized circular mirrors to suite in with the existing chroma key blue cubicles.
Balancing creating an attractive space for 16 to 18-year-olds with the ‘cool’ factor while establishing a sophisticated environment for serious individual or group study was the main challenge. This was overcome by using the calming elements of the outdoors as the basis of our design and creating contoured shapes for flowing circulation and to break away from any rigidity. The layout of the space was informed by the need for a range of both quiet and more lively, social spaces. As the plan was developed and the central hub came to life, more contemplative zones were naturally formed around the perimeter of the space. Being an open-plan space, which could cater to groups of 60 the acoustic levels had to be managed carefully to maintain an environment conducive to learning. Various sound absorbing materials such as ceiling panels, acoustic fabric and decorative felt lighting were used to subtly address this factor. Since the hub was in an existing building hidden MEP and structural elements were revealed sporadically during construction. To protect the design, we modified features proactively during the build as unwanted elements were uncovered. An example of this would be the 800 x 600mm risers and ducts disguised within a lozenge shape plasterboard.
The functions of the hub are clustered around a central garden courtyard which forms the heart of the facility and is comprised of a series of organically shaped ribbed, timber decks stepping and overlapping to form arrangements at varying heights to act as seating, banquettes and study counters. Trees and planting are incorporated into the centre of the deck elements and “skylights” comprised of suspended circular stretched fabric concealing daylight simulating light sources are suspended above. This central garden courtyard is a space of collaboration and meeting and the fully enabled platforms have been artfully clustered around a central presentation area where a large format digital screen will be wheeled into place as needed from its dedicated storage place at the perimeter. Acoustic treatment and privacy has been carefully considered in the design by passive zoning of activities in plan and by more active placement of oversized acoustic lighting features and wall panels in the form of decorative features and acoustically absorbent fabric lined booths.
We are a small, friendly, and dedicated team continuously striving to weave our passion and enthusiasm to create unique captivating spaces. SBID Awards serves as an international platform for recognition amongst a wide spectrum of leading design studios and consist of a broad range of award categories. Being part of SBID can attract new clients who are specifically seeking out innovative and exceptional design.
Being an Award Finalist with SBID can have a wide-range of positive impacts, from boosting reputation and credibility to attracting clients seeking innovative design solutions and to fostering growth by increasing team members morale. Award ceremonies and events offer excellent networking opportunities as well and can lead to new projects and partnerships.
Questions answered by Lulie Fisher, Design Director and Founder of Lulie Fisher Design Studio.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's design!
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a sustainable and neutral office design by Anomaly, click here to read it.
This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a playful and whimsical public space design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Lulie Fisher Design Studio.
Lulie Fisher Design Studio was commissioned by Regent International School Dubai to convert areas of the school into Primary, Secondary and Early Years Libraries. The Early Years library is based around the theme of an enchanted whimsical forest which encourages exploration and captivates the child’s imagination. A central reading circle with mirrored ceiling creates a curious environment. In the Primary and Secondary library zones are defined to appeal to both age groups by creating petrol blue surfaces and joinery in the primary zone and a dark red ceiling with a central red “living room” in the secondary.
Project: Regent International School Libraries
The project brief was to convert areas of the existing school into Primary, Secondary and Early Years Libraries. The Early Years Library at Regent International School was located in a small, tired and uninspiring classroom and our brief was to convert an existing gym into a dedicated Library for the school’s Early Years students aged from 4 to 7 years. The existing Primary and Secondary Student Library which dated back to 1993 was too small and out-dated for current needs and we were tasked with creating a fun environment that supported learning, collaboration and discovery. To expand the footprint, an adjacent staff room, pantry and corridor were amalgamated into the new library creating an L-shaped space which then lent itself to a natural division into two main zones: the primary students’ zone and secondary students’ zone, each tailored to the students’ age group, aesthetic and their dedicated book collections and study materials.
The Early Years library is based around the theme of an enchanted and whimsical forest, aiming to encourage exploration and captivate the imagination. The elements and materials employed create a warm, welcoming yet exciting environment. Alongside this, the layout and forms of the space were based on the topical forms of an ordinance survey, adding a 3D dynamic to the library. Unlike many spaces designed for children, the expected use of bold primary colours have been eschewed in favour of a base palette of neutral and earthy tones employed across a variety of surfaces including a robust vinyl plank on the floor cut into waves of soft greys, browns and greens to mimic the forest floor, a soft polka dotted rose toned inset carpet invoking the coat of a whimsical animal and a soft mushroom colour for the exposed ceiling surfaces and services. Blue/green lacquered shelving lines the perimeter, softened with back panels in warm oak. Although small in size, every corner of the library has been carefully imagined and designed to its full potential. The space is divided into three zones: the centrally located Story Time Circle; the Communal Activities Corner; and the gently stepped and striated Shelving and Reading Platforms resembling the topographical contours of an ordinance survey map. These functional and ergonomic feature elements have been custom designed for these zones to enhance learning and participation and to spark the imagination.
The experience is further magnified by a mirrored ceiling, creating the illusion of endless volume. Special attention has been paid to the treatment and design of the ceiling as young children are most comfortable lying on their backs when reading. The Early Years library is a calming and enchanting space which through its carefully considered layout, colour scheme and both functional and whimsical design elements, encourages curiosity, discovery and learning.
In the Primary and Secondary library there was a need to clearly define each space to ensure they appealed to each age group. The primary students’ zone on the right at entry is clearly defined by a petrol blue ceiling, walls, carpet and joinery elements. An exciting yet functional series of bespoke, tiered platforms, create an interactive versatile environment for students to sit, gather or recline while reading. The books are integrated within the risers of the steps and are mindfully grazed with soft LED lighting. A large, custom-designed, organic-shaped table anchors the space centrally and is used as the main gathering point for communal activities under the delicately preserved indoor tree.
The secondary students’ zone on the left, is defined by the dark red exposed ceiling and the red “living room” in the centre of the space which is flanked by long communal work tables either side. The “living room” element is a self-contained room with raised floor, walls and ceiling which has been created as a device to transport the students into a cosy residential environment where they are surrounded by warmly lit bookshelves, comfortable lounge seating, rug, pendant and glowing wall sconces.
Early Years Library: The requirements for the library were as large as the given space was small. A large volume of varied book sizes had to be stored whilst ensuring accessibility to little readers. Rather than line the space with shelving, we wanted to create various zones for play as well as study. Being able to store books within the raised platforms and animal shaped bookshelves helped take care of this factor along with storing large books within playful low level mobile storage units. The custom joinery had to be carefully studied and ergonomically designed to suit the young readers.
Primary and Secondary Library: The library needed to house a set volume of books together with future expansion potential while creating a welcoming environment for collaboration, self-study, group study, presentations and lectures for two very different age groups. It was a challenge to zone and balance the space for these various functional requirements along with visual focal and this was overcome by the clever use of materials and colour blocking.
Early Years Library: As the children enter the library, they are drawn towards the striking central feature – a pale blue story circle surrounded by books, acting as a cocoon with a soft carpeted floor, cosy leaf shaped blankets and crowned by a vibrant and enchanting rain cloud feature composed of colourful felt interspersed with twinkling rain drop shaped pendants. The experience is further magnified by a mirrored ceiling, creating the illusion of endless volume. The contoured reading platforms nestled into one corner of the library contain books tucked below the steps and this element acts as a connection to the story time circle, creating spill out for larger groups to congregate around the teacher and different seating and reclining options.
Primary and Secondary Library: For the Primary area, an exciting yet functional series of bespoke, tiered platforms, create an interactive and versatile environment for students to sit, gather, or recline while reading. The books are integrated within the risers of the steps and are mindfully grazed with soft LED lighting. Decorative wall panelling and oversized pendant lighting not only help to contain any noise generation and disturbance at source but also add softness. The reception desk is clad in rich, turquoise-glazed tiles, acting as a focal point for young students who need the librarians’ support to administer the book check-in and check-out system. Two wall sconces in the form of owls (which have long been associated with knowledge and wisdom), look on from behind the desk, providing a quirky and humorous design element.
The “living room” element in the Secondary space is a self-contained room with raised floor, walls and ceiling which has been created as a device to transport the students into a cosy residential environment where they are surrounded by warmly lit bookshelves, comfortable lounge seating, rug, pendant and glowing wall sconces.
We are a small, friendly and dedicated team continuously striving to weave our passion and enthusiasm to create unique captivating spaces. SBID Awards serves as an international platform for recognition amongst a wide spectrum of leading design studios and consists of a broad range of award categories. Being part of SBID can attract new clients who are specifically seeking out innovative and exceptional design.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring an elegant and bionic villa design by ISTO, click here to read it.
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