Woods Bagot unveils ‘Flipped Campus’ interior fit-out for new UOWD campus
The fit-out of the campus, due to open in September 2020, is being led by principal Priya Mrinal with associate Keiko Bouziri, based at firm’s Dubai Studio
Woods Bagot has announced that it is delivering the interior fit-out of the new campus at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD). The firm says a clear design narrative enabled its team to create a fresh new look to reflect the university’s vision of promoting student-centered learning, incorporating a technology-rich learning experience.
The fit-out of the campus is being led by principal Priya Mrinal with associate Keiko Bouziri, based in the firm’s Dubai Studio. A statement from Woods Bagot said its team embraced the challenge of creating the interior for the university’s campus building that addresses all their needs in an engaging way.
The firm says it also leveraged the expertise of its Sydney studio and developed the design in collaboration with university stakeholders in Wollongong. ISG are the fit-out contractor for the project, with project management by Alexander Mac, the statement said.
The statement explained that the firm looked at ways to bring the ‘Australian experience’ to Dubai. The firm states that it fully investigated how it could achieve the transformation from an Australian university to an Australian university in Dubai, which led to the ‘Flipped Campus’ design narrative. It is said to transform the concept of ‘buildings in a campus’ to ‘a campus in a building’.
In Dubai outdoor conditions can be a challenge for a good part of the year, and this is positively approached by encompassing the campus within the building, the statement explained.
“We have aspired to create a campus where students want to stay, work and play,” remarked Priya Mrinal, principal at Woods Bagot.
The firm says its approach to design responds to changing paradigms in education, from teacher-centred to learner-centred, and a collaborative approach to learning spaces. Learning happens everywhere and at any time, the company stated. It added that traditional classrooms and lecture theatres need to evolve into informal, active and collaborative spaces, which can inspire and motivate a new generation of students. These types of innovative campuses are what are helping position the UAE as an emerging international higher education hub for international students around the world, Woods Bagot noted.
“The design was unique, audacious, and considerably different to the traditional mix of colors and finishes found in the region. The result is a successful reflection of the client’s vision and a fantastic design that incorporates all the functional requirements needed,” explained Pierre Miquel, director – Property and Facilities, UOW Global Enterprises.
