- Al Batinah International School in Oman is expanding from 150 to 1100 students across grades K-12 over two phases, with 13 new buildings and 2 remodeled existing buildings.
- The master plan includes prototype learning community buildings for expatriate and Omani students with flexible and sustainable design features to create an ecologically sustainable campus.
- Phase 1 includes the new administration and arts/science building at the main entry and the first pair of learning community buildings, with phase 2 completing the campus.
2. 21
The Story
Fielding Nair International (FNI) has finished the master plan for a 42, 000 SM site and is currently developing the design for Al Batinah International School’s
expansion from 150 K-12 students in two phases to create an ecologically sustainable yet verdant campus with a village-like feel for 1100 Expatriate and
Omani students that prepares them for the challenges of the 21st Century. Their school is a 1:1 ipad school in which learners move seamlessly from one
learning modality to another. 13 buildings are new and 2 are remodeled. Portocabins were brought in and remodeled in August 2012 to give teachers and
students a chance to learn in a space that follows the planning principles of the future new buildings.
The design is a response to the school’s wishes for learning spaces that are flexible enough to be re-purposed from year to year for students at different levels
on the path of the continuum of learning. It is also a response to the leadership’s wish to create a campus in which the whole environment is a learning
landscape that makes learning real and relevant to students and raises their awareness of today’s environmental issues and how they can make a difference
for the future.
Omani & Expatriate Learning Communities are housed in prototype buildings that respond to their different educational needs in K-10. Both communities will
share the Grade 11-12 building, Da Vinci Arts & Science Center, Amphitheater and all Sports Facilities and play areas.
3. 31
Da Vinci Arts &
Science Center
Gr 7-12
Gr 7-10
Expatriate
Learning
Community
for 150
Gr 3-6
Expatriate Learning
Community
for 150
Existing
K-12 &
Admin
Existing
Sports Hall
Fruit tree
grove
Amphitheater
for 440
Admin
Existing
Swimming
Pool
Parking
Parking
& Drop
Off
Loop
Public Parking
Gr 3-6
play zone
K-2
play
zone
Custodian
Housing
PHASE 1 CAMPUS EXPANSION: In the first phase, the campus main entry is shifted to the centrally located Admin & Da Vinci Arts
& Science building. The first pair of prototype learning community buildings will be built with a new drop off loop and shaded outdoor
learning and play areas.
4. 32
Da Vinci Arts &
Science Center
Gr 7-12
Gr 7-10
Expatriate
Learning
Community
for 150
Gr 3-6
Expatriate Learning
Community
for 150
Existing K-12 building
for 150 students to be
remodeled for K-2 in
Phase 2
Fruit tree
grove
Soccer Pitch and
400 meter track
Amphitheater
for 440
Admin
Parking
Parking
& Drop
Off
Loop
Public Parking
Gr 3-6
play zone
K-2
play
zone
Omani Gr 7-10 Learning
Community for 150
Multi Purpose Rm &
Omani Primary Years
Gym
PHASE 2 CAMPUS EXPANSION: In the second phase, the campus is completed with the addition of the prototype buildings for new
learning communities, a new Soccer pitch and track, as well as of the Sports Hall Expansion/Remodel and the K-12/Admin building
to convert it into a K-2 Learning Community with outdoor learning terraces.
Parking
& Drop
Off
Loop
Omani K-2 Learning
Communities for 136
Omani Gr 3-6 Learning
Communities for 150
Mixed Gr 11-12
Learning Community for
150
Flex Learning
Community
Custodian
Housing
New addition
Existing
Sports Hall
Existing
Swimming
Pool
5. 36
Sunken
Space
Clerestory operable
windows at enclosed
rooms
Prayer Room
Pods Pods
SUSTAINABLY DESIGNED BUILDINGS AS 3D TEXTBOOKS: Passive cooling is employed to condition the space. This act of
environmental stewardship not only cuts down the energy bills in this hot climate, but also acts as learning tool that enables students
an teachers to understand and revere their environment. The proposed cooling strategy rests on thermal modelling. Its cornerstone is
the use of cooling downdraught air, coupled with an exhausting ‘solar chimney’, and consideration for using this natural ventilation
system for ‘night purging’ when ambient temperatures lower. The use of wind towers for cooling in Oman has a long history, and this
answer builds on that tradition.
Passive Cooling Concept
6. 38
SHADED LEARNING COURTYARDS: Grade 3-6 & 7-10 Learning Communities will share a shaded peaceful learning courtyard that
acts as an outdoor environmental learning center. The architectural language of the prototype buildings allows for variation and
personalization so that each Learning Community will have its own identity contributing to the village-like feel of the campus.
7. 39
SHADED PLAY AREAS: Grade 3-6 Learning Community will have its own playground with zones for making art and quiet sunken
spaces for quieter learning activities.
8. 40
ALL SCHOOL COMMONS: The main entry to the Grade 3-6 Learning Community is designed as a space where the entire learning
community can come together for gatherings and events. Beyond is their satellite café and servery.
9. 41
DA VINCI ARTS & SCIENCE LEARNING STUDIO: Grade 3-6 students will have a learning studio that provides a space that
facilitates interdisciplinary learning of art and science.
10. 42
AGILE LEARNING POD: Grade 3-6 students will have plenty of room for multiple areas of learning that encourage independence
and are all child centered. The pod storage walls are moveable allowing teachers to connect pods and team teach if they wish. The
bay windows provide “cave space” for students to reflect and work independently.
11. 43
FLEXIBILITY FOR CHANGING GRADE POPULATIONS: The two story prototype concept is not just based on
cost savings for rapid campus expansion. It is also based on the need for flexibility since populations of various
ages will fluctuate from year to year. The prototypes provide learning pods made of moveable walls and
millwork for K-6 population and advisory workstations for Grades 7-12 allowing buildings to be easily re-
configured from year to year.
Gr 7-10
Gr 3-6
Gr 3-6 Play
Courtyard
Shared
Courtyard &
Garden
Gr 7-10
Garden &
Terrace
Satellite
Cafes
12. 46
Shared
Courtyard &
GardenShaded Drop
Off waiting
zone
GRADE 7-10 GROUND LEVEL: The same prototype for Grade 3-6 buildings is altered slightly to provide
enclosed seminar rooms, Multipurpose rooms and pods are replaced with advisory work station clusters.
Grade 7-10 Learning Community
13. 47
Shared
Courtyard &
GardenShaded Drop
Off waiting
zone
GRADE 7-10 FIRST LEVEL: The same prototype for Grade 3-6 buildings is altered slightly to provide enclosed
seminar rooms, Multipurpose rooms and pods are replaced with advisory work station clusters.
Grade 7-10 Learning Community
14. 48
ADMIN DA VINCI BUILDINGS: The new entry to the school welcomes parents to linger for coffee to make
friends with other parents with views to the Secondary students Da Vinci building. They will be able to see the
students at work engaging in project based learning and their work displayed under the deep overhangs.
The buildings also serve as a community center on evenings and weekends for events in the amphitheater and
the new soccer pitch/running track.
Shaded
Amphitheater
for 440
Shaded
Courtyard &
Garden
Arts
Science
Admin
Coffee and
Book Shop
For ParentsWelcoming
Entry
Courtyard
Shaded Drop
Off waiting
zone
New Soccer pitch
and 400 M track
New Parking
Lot
Outdoor
Learning
Terraces
Outdoor
Learning
Terraces
Outdoor
Learning
Terraces
Admin & Da Vinci Buildings- the new campus entry & heart
15. 55
Shared
Courtyard &
GardenShaded Drop
Off waiting
zone
TEMPORARY LEARNING STUDIOS: Portocabins were moved to the site in Summer 2012 and quickly
remodeled following the planning principles for the new buildings. This gave teachers and students a chance to
“test drive” the new spaces and give FNI their feedback to calibrate the final designs.
