An experience in design bridging local culture and international vision
Context
In 2016, the Family Development Foundation of Abu Dhabi commissioned the Learning by Languages® Team to develop the concept for an Early Childhood Educational Centre (ECEC). The goal was to create a pilot project capable of blending Emirati cultural identity, educational quality, and sustainable architecture, focusing on children aged 0 to 5 years.
The center, envisioned as a place for learning, community gathering, and well-being, was intended to become a regional reference point for early childhood education.
Objectives
- Define an integrated educational vision centered on the child and in dialogue with the local cultural context
- Design spaces and furnishings that support innovative and relational educational practices
- Offer a conceptual model that could be replicated to guide the development of future early childhood services.
- Integrate local architectural traditions and sustainable approaches into a contemporary design
The Contribution of Learning by Languages®
The project combined educational planning with spatial co-design, using an approach focused on the needs of children and respect for the local cultural context.
Educational Design
- Definition of an educational identity centered on the competence and creativity of the child
- Design of themed ateliers, communal areas, workshops, and relational spaces
- Integration of inclusive and intergenerational educational practices and spaces open to the community
Architectural Concept and Furnishings
- Development of a layout combining pedagogical functionality with local aesthetic values.
- Incorporation of traditional architectural elements (e.g., windcatchers, barjeel, bayt al sha’ar, shaded courtyards), reinterpreted in an educational context.
- Design of custom furniture for different age groups, ensuring modularity, ergonomics, and safety.
- Creation of multifunctional spaces, both indoor and outdoor ateliers, vertical gardens, and immersive sensory areas.
- Selection of color schemes and materials inspired by the tones of the earth and desert, integrating native vegetation
Results
- Development of a complete concept plan, including layout, functional specifications, and guiding materials.
- Creation of a model for an Early Childhood Education Centre that can be realized in the Emirates.
- Strengthening of a culture of educational co-design among professionals, organizations, and local stakeholders.
- Establishment of a concrete experience demonstrating the international transferability of the Learning by Languages® method.
Significance
The Al Ain early childhood center exemplifies the Learning by Languages® Team’s ability to adapt its educational approach to diverse cultural contexts, valuing local elements and crafting tailor-made solutions.
The project required significant customization of the method to align with the social, regulatory, and environmental context of the United Arab Emirates, developing pedagogical, spatial, and functional solutions consistent with local traditions and expectations
At the same time, it fostered the creation of international professional networks, generating effective dialogue between institutional stakeholders, designers, educators, and education professionals
The co-design process generated cultural and strategic value, leaving a legacy of a replicable model, guiding tools, and a shared vision for innovative and locally rooted educational services.
