Koda unveils design for GCC's first Harrow school
ABU DHABI, 12 hours, 26 minutes ago
Koda, the Kidzink Office of Design & Architecture, an award-winning UAE-based architectural design practice, has unveiled the design details of its latest landmark project - Harrow International School Abu Dhabi.
Scheduled to open its doors to students in mid-2026, the school will be built on a prime 70,000 sqm plot on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island.
With a capacity of 1,800 students, it will initially cater to students from Early Years to Year 6, with gradual expansion through the higher years.
Announced in February, the school is the result of a partnership between Taaleem, a leading K-12 premium education provider in the UAE, Harrow International Schools Limited, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.
The school will offer a British curriculum and will introduce Harrow's renowned academic approach.
As a trusted and long-standing partner of Taaleem, Koda, part of the Kidzink family of companies, was named as the lead designer responsible for the architecture, landscape and interior design of the school.
As per the deal, Kidzink will also design and supply the furniture and fit out for what will be the first Harrow International School in the GCC.
Prior collaborations between Taaleem and Koda include the award-winning Dubai British School Jumeira, Greenfield International School, Raha International School as well as the upcoming Dubai British School Mira, said a top official.
"At Taaleem, we recognize the responsibility of upholding the values and integrity of this esteemed institution," remarked its Chief Operating Officer Sam Truman.
"Koda was the natural choice to bring the Harrow story to life in the UAE. As a longstanding and trusted partner to Taaleem, their deep expertise, depth and breadth of experience and capabilities, and forward-thinking approach make them the ideal collaborator in realizing Harrow’s vision in the UAE," he stated.
Drawing on Harrow’s 450-year heritage of academic excellence and leadership, the UAE-based firm set out to design a school that reflects a fusion of tradition and modernity, offering students a learning environment that inspires creativity and critical thinking, as well as a sense of community and global citizenship.
"Harrow is more than a school; it is a storied institution steeped in history and tradition, guided by strong and unwavering values," said Laura Hughes, the Associate Director of Architecture at Koda.
"While we cannot recreate the history of Harrow, through design, we set out to establish a new shared history - one that balances a respect for the past, with a forward-thinking vision that is both timeless and innovative. This aligns with Abu Dhabi’s rich heritage, traditions, culture and its vision for a dynamic future," he added.
According to Koda, thoughtful design, guided by the principles of neuro-architecture, shapes the exceptional facilities and features throughout the school.
Across the exterior landscape, native plant species and natural play elements will be incorporated, along with the traditional red brick façade of the original Harrow, which will be integrated into the planting palette and featured in planters and outdoor furniture, it stated.
The outdoor rugby and football fields will play an integral role in school life and will be visible from all areas of the building, ensuring that sport remains a central and ever-present part of the school community.
Blending indoor and outdoor spaces, the dining hall opens onto the sports fields, featuring a long, shaded grandstand that follows the site's natural contours.
Interior sports facilities will include two competition-sized pools, two full-sized gymnasiums, and a dedicated gym for the school’s Foundation Stage students, stated the top UAE architect.
Academically, primary and secondary students will each have dedicated STEAM areas, designed for flexible and collaborative learning across design technology, food technology, science, art, and robotics.
Honoring Harrow traditions, elements such as student name plaques will be incorporated, while materials and design details will firmly root Harrow Abu Dhabi in its local context, it said.
The dining hall, for example, features long, bench-style communal seating, bringing together staff and students of different ages - an approach inspired by Harrow UK, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
