Dubai British School Emirates Hills — Canteen Expansion
Client
Taaleem
Size
2,000 sqm.
Location
Dubai, UAE
Status
Complete
The transformation of DBS Emirates Hills elevates daily student life with creative cultural wings, modernized STEM environments, and multi-sensory outdoor areas.
The project integrates indoor and outdoor learning, encouraging interaction.
Client
Taaleem
Project Type
Campus Planning
Typology
Educational — Campus Canteen
Completion
Complete
Built-Up Area
2,000 sqm.
Certification
Gold LEED (in progress)
About the Project
Completed over a fast seven-week summer window in 2025, Köda transformed the Dubai British School Emirates Hills campus. Reclaiming an empty early-years block, the project created a high-performance cultural wing and expanded facilities for growing student numbers. By upgrading legacy STEM labs and reimagining outdoor landscapes, the renovation successfully repurposes existing assets to enhance student well-being and modern pedagogy.
Key Highlights
High-performance cultural wing with studios and black box theater.
Modernized STEM science labs with updated safety systems.
Greenfield secondary canteen building expanding campus capacity.
Multi-sensory outdoor park with native plants and discovery pathways.
Dedicated Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) court with shading.
Design Approach
Köda converted a vacant early-years block into a dedicated cultural wing featuring music rooms, recording studios, art spaces, and a black box theater. To support increasing enrollment, a greenfield secondary canteen was constructed, while an old music room became a modern secondary library alongside upgraded administrative offices. Three legacy science labs underwent a complete overhaul, adding modern lab furniture, acoustic ceilings, and updated safety features developed with faculty input. Outside, basic astroturf was replaced with a multi-sensory park with native plants, sand pits, and discovery pathways, complemented by a shaded MUGA court completed in October 2025.
Outcome & Impact
Executed during a tight summer window, the renovation proves how schools can intentionally reinvent existing infrastructure for future generations. Köda worked closely with faculty to create functional, well-being-centered spaces that inspire creative, scientific, and physical development. The project revitalized the DBS Emirates Hills campus, delivering an adaptable, high-performance environment tailored to expanding student needs without disrupting ongoing academic excellence.