EM Normandie University, Dubai

EM Normandie is an international business school with over six thousand students across six campuses. The most recent addition to their growing network is based in the prime location of Dubai Knowledge Park — and was due to open in time for the 2022-2023 intake.

The existing space was a series of outdated classrooms  with little flexibility for different styles of learning. KPS brief was to completely refurbish and modernise the space  with a highly functional and flexible environment for students to learn, collaborate and socialise.

As the first branch in the Middle East, we knew we had to create a space worthy of that title. But with the new term just around the corner  time was tight. And with long lead times on certain items including carpeting, acoustic panels and movable partition walls  KPS had to find ways to expedite the process.

This included organising air freight delivery for the walls, negotiating rapid production of the acoustic panels, and installing temporary floor coverings until they could be swapped out with the final ones. And with the client able to keep track of the project remotely from France with 3D site scans, KPS were able to hasten the approvals process and complete on time.

The finished space is made up of six classrooms, six separate spaces for faculty members, male and female prayer rooms, executive offices and a large breakout area. Design details include oak veneers, LVT flooring with a polished concrete effect, MAS decorative paints and manoeuvrable partition walls.