Courtesy of CEBRA (Architecture) & SLA (Landscape)

CEBRA, in collaboration with landscape architect SLA, has designed Veris International School for The Sustainable City in Dubai. In opposition to hot-climate educational environments that are often large, air-conditioned structures, CEBRA’s vision for The Sustainable City proposes a permeability between outdoor and indoor learning environments, utilizing both in equal measure.

Courtesy of CEBRA (Architecture) & SLA (Landscape)

“We had to rethink the school in our design. Why not take advantage of the warm climate, move many of the functions of the school away from artificial air-conditioned rooms, and out in a naturally ventilated, cooled environment?” posits Mikkel Hallundbæk Schlesinger, architect and head of CEBRA’s Abu Dhabi office. “[We’ve] worked extensively with [educational] architecture since we established the office in 2001, but this is the first time [we’ve designed] a school, in which the climate and vegetation constitute active design parameters.”

Courtesy of CEBRA (Architecture) & SLA (Landscape)

The greenery of The Sustainable City continues into the school and up the building’s facade, and students will actively contribute to this dialogue by maintaining gardens for vegetables and flowers. The City project is being developed by Diamond Developers and consists of townhouses and courtyard villas inspired by Dubai’s historic “Bastakyia” district, as well as a hotel and innovation center. Living up to its name, the City’s energy will come from solar cells and all wastewater will be treated and reused.

Courtesy of CEBRA (Architecture) & SLA (Landscape)

Once completed, Veris International School will serve 1000 students age 3-12.  

• Architects: CEBRA
• Location: The Sustainable City, United Arab Emirates
• Architect In Charge: CEBRA
• Landscape: SLA
• Collaboration: Act NOW
• Client: Diamond Developers
• Area: 0.0 sqm
• Project Year: 2016
• Photographs: Courtesy of CEBRA (Architecture) & SLA (Landscape)

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