Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus
- Location
- Dubai, UAE
- Client
- Heriot Watt University
- Expertise
- Architecture
- Acoustics
- Interior Design
- Lighting
- Completion
- 2021
- Size
- 22,000 sq m
- Cost
- £30m
Located in Dubai’s Knowledge Park, the new 218,000 sqft Heriot-Watt University campus will serve nearly 4,000 students - representing 105 nationalities from around the world - seeking research-informed, industry-focused, British education of the highest standard in the UAE.
Located in Dubai’s Knowledge Park, the new 218,000 sqft Heriot-Watt University campus will serve nearly 4,000 students - representing 105 nationalities from around the world - seeking research-informed, industry-focused, British education of the highest standard in the UAE. The repurposed office building has been designed by our Glasgow studio to reflect the University’s roots in Edinburgh and references influences from Middle East culture and design.
The university campus was the first to be accredited LEED Gold in UAE. Materials with high recycled content were specified and timber furniture and fixtures were incorporated where appropriate. We applied biophilic design principles to create a sense of calm and wellbeing for the students and staff. The design also delivered:
• 46% reduction in water use compared to the LEED baseline
• 34% reduction in power for lighting compared to ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010’s baseline
Our MENA studio team then led the detailed design proposals and managed construction supervision through to completion. The state-of-the-art facility, which creates a place of creativity, teamwork, entrepreneurial thinking and productivity, is designed to appeal to a young audience through modernity and a level of clean sophistication whilst reflecting the university’s 200-year legacy.