At Miral HQ, created by GAJ, the indoor slide is the highlight
The new office of Miral by Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ) explores a progressive work environment with unconventional spaces that create an inspiring and efficient environment where employees enjoy the space they are in which in turn leads to greater productivity.
A first for the region, the stainless steel indoor slide, which runs from the first floor to the ground floor, adds a sense of playfulness to the workplace.
Another dominant design feature is the open red stairway. This industrial looking staircase sits on a raised concrete plinth which also serves as informal seating and acts as a social connection between the two levels. The rawness of the red oxide metal and the concrete is balanced by the colours of the soft seating.
“The office space of today is focussed on balance. It is an environment designed to inspire employees so they enjoy coming to work and are much more productive while they are in the office,” said Jason Burnside, partner at Godwin Austen Johnson. “The slide is designed to recreate the element of risk-taking and independence just as it does in children which in turn helps foster revolutionary ideas, promote interaction and connectivity.”
Spread over two floors the new office is fluid and flexible with open workspace concepts, engaging spaces and collaboration nodes. The raised access flooring system with ceiling voids has been designed to house the building infrastructure to ensure the space stays flexible for potential future changes.
Single and double seater booths are equipped with AV connections to allow for virtual meetings with a giant projector screen installed at one end to allow the area to be quickly converted into a presentation zone.
Continuing the industrial theme, greyscale has been used as the basic palette punctuated by vibrant splashes of colour – most notably the bright yellow individual booths that are cleverly recessed into the interior walls. The stark neutral tones of the raw concrete is interspersed with black metal and warm wood accents.
The design, throughout, is characterised by an unconventional selection of materials, finishes and furniture to create unique spaces for a distinctive spatial perception.
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Powerlist 30 : JASON BURNSIDE , PARTNER – GODWIN AUSTEN JOHNSON (GAJ)
A highly successful and well-respected architect, Jason Burnside graduated from the University of Dundee in 1996, and spent five years with a small urban design practice in London before moving to Dubai to join GAJ in 2001.
Burnside was made a partner is 2008, and as a team leader, he aims to deliver holistic projects that are highly functional, energy-efficient and engaging. While he is an experienced architect across many different sectors, it is the education sector where he really shines.
Burnside has forged long term relationships with clients resulting in repeat business on more than one occasion. It was Jason’s involvement with the Ladybird Early Learning Centre and The Arcadia School’s primary campus that saw the client award GAJ the third school in the portfolio – the recently completed Arcadia School’s secondary campus.
In the space of a month, Burnside has handed over two new projects – the new Arcadia School’s secondary campus in Dubai and the new SPACE (Sports and Performing Arts Centre of Excellence) at Dubai College with work continuing on the ISG School in Saudi Arabia.
As an expert in his field, Burnside is also highly sought after as a speaker and is regularly found on the stage at industry events such as The Big 5 and Cityscape Global. Burnside’s desire to create great architecture is clear to see within his vast experience which ranges from concept through to award-winning built projects and, as one of the longest-serving architects in the firm, he has designed and delivered some of GAJ’s high profile projects including Serenia Residences on The Palm Jumeirah, Mysk Al Mouj in Muscat, The Gate Village DIFC in partnership with Hopkins & Partners; Helel Residence and the Federal National Council in partnership with Ehrlich Architects.
He currently leads a team of highly skilled architects all with different strengths and approaches and all working on different projects. He continues to be hands-on in designing projects and mentoring his team.
GAJ has completed a number of projects over the last 12 months including Vida Creek Harbour, Dubai; The Arcadia School’s Secondary Campus; Garden Bay residential development in northern India; Hilton Garden Inn Kuwait; Midscale hotel in Kuwait; The SPACE at Dubai College; amongst others.
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GAJ hands over The SPACE at Dubai College
Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ) has recently completed the new Sports & Performing Arts Centre of Excellence (The SPACE) for the Dubai College.
The all new SPACE is the most ambitious project of the planned upgrade of the school to date. It is located on a condensed part of the site at the back of the campus and required the demolition of the existing swimming pool and sports hall to free up valuable land for the new 5,500sqm development.
From the outset the 900sqm multi-purpose gym with indoor running track was designed to be a central hub within the SPACE and it occupies most of the ground floor. It is supplemented by a number of flexible student spaces to foster a relationship between the physical movement and the science behind it allowing teachers to combine the practical with the theory.
Also on the ground floor is a new swimming facility which can be directly accessed from the outside without the need to go through the sports hall. It includes a 300 seat spectator viewing area, electronic touch timing system making it ideal for galas and other water sports events.
On the first floor the 1,100sqm sports hall is designed for two basketball and two netball courts with retractable bleacher style seating for around 500 spectators.
The size of the sports hall and its unique layout with a show court running in the opposite direction to the second court and a dividing curtain allows the school the flexibility and capacity to increase the number of activities and to be able to host large tournaments.
The performing arts was also a key consideration for the SPACE with the creation of a black box drama performance space with seating for 140, drama rooms, music classrooms as well as music practice areas.
A rooftop MUGA court and student café have also been incorporated as well as a unique hall of fame showcasing the achievements of the school.
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