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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Hands Carpets launches a design competition
Hands, the creators of exquisite handmade carpets since 1881, has announced a nationwide design campaign to engage with the community this Ramadan from May, 2-15, 2020.
Reflecting on a possible slower-paced and simpler new way of life post COVID-19, and inspired by the growing international movement for climate change, and Mahatma Gandhi’s crusade to “live simply, so others may simply live”, Hands invites everyone to participate for a chance to win one of three exquisite handmade carpet from the Hands showroom in Dubai Design District.
Entrants will use their hands to create a visual representation of one of three themes – this can be anything from a doodle, sketch, line drawing, zentangle art, painting, collage, or even knitting or sewing – and will be accompanied by a picture of the hands that made it, and a caption to reflect the chosen theme. Entries to be posted on Instagram or Facebook, and the top three entries will be selected by an esteemed panel of judges including Rue Kothari, fair director of Downtown Design, Vera Dieckman, founder and designer at XO Atelier, and Ravi Patodia, founder of Hands Carpets.
Under the umbrella title of “the future is in our hands’, the proposed themes to provide inspiration are:
- A community in harmony with the planet.
- It’s time to reflect on our connection with nature.
- Journey towards building a new way of living for our children.
“In these challenging times, we are inspired by the messages of positivity coming from all around, appreciating a return to a simpler way of life, reconnecting at a deeper level with loved ones and the healing effects these quieter times have had on our environment” said Pranay Patodia, director, Hands Carpets. “Since Ramadan is a time of quiet reflection and of being thankful for our many blessings, we wanted to connect with the wider community in celebration of these positive developments, and encourage people to use their hands to make their own interpretations of this new way of life” he continued.
“Hands Carpets has a longstanding tradition of working with our local communities, actively supporting initiatives to protect the environment as well as people in need, with a particular focus on children. Indeed it is a passion driven by our director of CSR, Meenal Patodia, and the management which is shared by every single employee and is part of our DNA. In the spirit of the season we will be making a donation to the Emirates Red Crescent to support their mission to deliver groceries and medicines to registered families in need” added Gavin Lewis, general manager, Hands Carpets Middle East.
Entries to be submitted between 2-15 May2-15, 2020, by posting on Instagram or Facebook, and tagging @Handscarpets and #joyoframadan. The winning entries will be announced after Eid Al Fitr.
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