(Title)
Yes School
(Year)
2018 - On hold
(Area)
11,150 sq
(Type)
Educational
(Location)
United Arab Emirates
(Firm)
Farah Faheem Studio
The project envisions a school for the 21st century—an environment that challenges conventional educational models while fostering curiosity, creativity, and engagement with the natural world. Conceived as an urban park, YES! School redefines the learning experience through an inquiry-based framework, where architecture becomes both setting and pedagogy.
Rather than adhering to traditional institutional forms, the school dissolves into a landscape of interconnected clusters inspired by vernacular architecture from the fregion. These forms respond directly to the region’s hot, arid climate, embedding environmental intelligence into the spatial organization. The classroom clusters are terraced downward into the ground—a strategy known as earth sheltering—enhancing thermal performance by reducing heat gain and stabilizing internal temperatures.
Arranged in layered formations around shaded courtyards, the clusters create a network of microclimates. Each courtyard integrates dense indigenous planting and water elements, facilitating passive cooling while establishing oasis-like learning environments. Narrow, shaded passageways and carefully oriented layouts—aligned with prevailing north-northwest winds—further optimize natural ventilation, particularly within the climatic context of the UAE.
Roofscapes are treated as critical environmental surfaces. Classroom clusters incorporate green roofs that mitigate solar exposure while enriching the experiential landscape. Larger institutional buildings employ high-albedo finishes and are equipped with photovoltaic arrays, reducing heat absorption while enabling the campus to operate with a high degree of energy independence.
Collectively, the project positions architecture as an active agent in learning—where environmental performance, spatial experience, and educational philosophy converge.
Guided by patterns of Biophilic design, these are some of the ways that the design and creative process of Yes School is dedicated to the genius of nature:
- Material connection with nature by utilizing rammed earth as a primary construction and finish material
- Non-rhythmic sensory stimuli
- Dynamic and diffuse natural light
- Presence of a cooling body of water
- Indigenous vegetation
- Natural air flow and ventilation
- Visual and non-visual connections to nature
- Biomorphic forms and patterns
- Complexity and order in pedestrian circulation
- Places of refuge and meditation
- Fostering a space of mystery and exploration
Environmental Architectural Design Strategies Utilized:
- Earth edging
- Earth and vegetation roof coverage
- Thick load-bearing rammed earth walls
- Cross-ventilation through deliberately located wall openings
- Cooling bodies of water
- Grey water collection and recycling
- Stacking of individual rooms and masses to encourage natural air flow and reduce heat gain on exterior wall surfaces
- Indigenous vegetation and Xeriscaping