The British International School Abu Dhabi has unveiled the “Eco Ed-Venture,” a dynamic outdoor discovery area designed to immerse students in nature while fostering environmental awareness. Strategically positioned within the school’s setback space, this area serves as a transitional pathway from the school’s boundary to the Foundation Years Block, offering a sheltered environment that seamlessly blends with the school’s architecture.

The Eco Ed-Venture is meticulously crafted to provide students with a sensory-rich experience, encouraging exploration and hands-on learning. The design incorporates a variety of ecological features, including a sensory walk, kitchen garden, food preparation and cooking areas, and habitats for fish, small animals, and insects. Emphasizing sustainability, the space utilizes carbon-neutral technologies such as solar and wind energy, composting systems, and hydroponics. These elements offer students practical insights into ecological and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) concepts, bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world applications.

The entrance to the Eco Ed-Venture is semi-covered, inviting both parents and children to engage with the natural surroundings, thereby fostering curiosity and interest. The area is divided into three distinct zones: two semi-enclosed spaces featuring trellises and greenhouses with operable vents, allowing visual connectivity between areas, and an open-to-sky zone dedicated to primary school students. Additional features include rainwater harvesting systems, windmills, and a sensory walk. A small farmer’s market enables students to sell produce grown in the garden, integrating entrepreneurial skills with environmental education. An artificial stream, bordered by rocks and crossed by a wooden bridge, adds to the area’s charm, while paths with stepping stones, native plants, and open seating areas create an inviting environment for group activities and direct interaction with nature.

The Eco Ed-Venture exemplifies the school’s commitment to integrating sustainability into education, providing students with a holistic learning environment that emphasizes the importance of environmental stewardship.

Design: Education Design International
Design Team: Mugdha Thakurdesai, Avinash Gautam, Kaushik Ganesh, Divya Mathew, Abhishek Chopra, Anwar Ali, Raya Naaman
Photography: Yamini Krishna Photography