Sharjah Children Center | 2022
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Tri Design Studio | Lead Designer.
Interior Renovation, 30,000 ft2.
Client:
Sharjah Children & The Executive Office of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi.
Collaborators: Farah Al Amin, Nada Abu Shaqra.
The Qarayen Children Center is a non-profit community hub and an after-school program catering to the local community in the Al Qarayen neighbourhood of Sharjah. The project is a renovation of a decades-old abandoned building that is transformed through a child-centric design approach. This has guided decision-making in the design process and led to the creation of vibrant and imaginative spaces and a formal language that intentionally avoids sharp angles and employs soft materials for safety considerations. The outcome is a series of playful enclosures designed to stimulate the imagination of young minds.
The building's original structure and envelope were completely saved, however the interior spatial layout was reconfigured, openings were manipulated, and the building façade was reimagined. These changes enhanced the quality of interior spaces and improved the thermal and therefore energy performance of the building.
The project was designed in close collaboration with the centre’s educational team to provide spaces that respond to the dynamics and flexibility requirements of the program.
