Elhaam Our low cost school model concept

Elhaam has been developed by a team of internationally recognised school operators, designers, contractors and facilities management specialists for the provision of affordable kindergarten through secondary education in the region.

• The design concept enables:
• The expliotation of the local climate, reducing the requirement for expensive air conditioning.
• Through careful consideration of the curriculum the school maximises the utilisation of space ensuring a very efficient school layout is provided to deliver the finest educational experience for students and an appropriate and inspiring place to work for staff.
• The provision of good quality staff accommodation, helping to control running costs, allowing school facilities to be used by staff and the local community during out of school hours in the evening and at weekends.
• The modular design of the school means it can be designed for any number of students and is easily phased or extended to suit opening and expansion plans.
• Circulation space is mostly outside along covered walkways or play areas
• Natural ventilation and daylight is exploited to reduce running costs and create provide an appropriate learning environment
• The school design is sustainable and can adapt to site specific conditions and constraints.

The model complies with ADEC guidelines for new school licenses and design

School designers Stride Treglown and Education Consultants SSAT, together with engineers Spectrum and contractors and facilities managers Al Futtaim Carillion, have developed a model for new schools that meets the regulatory authority criteria and is affordable and adaptable to owners specific needs.

Elhaam Schools is a comprehensive new school support and delivery service

Elhaam helps prospective new school owners apply for a school license, design new school buildings that meet internationally recognised standards and which can then be built for a firm price and within a fixed period. There is the opportunity for management of the building once complete and if large numbers of schools are required there are possible finance arrangements that can be explored. SSAT's 'by schools, for schools' approach ensures the new school operates effectively and efficiently delivering the best education for its students by a motivated and enthusiastic staff. SSAT will support and assist investors with their application for a school license and then provide the support that schools, school strategic leadership , teachers, students and the local community require to operate effective schooling. Al Futtaim Carillion are leaders in construction in the region with a extensive track record for education buildings here and abroad. Their no nonsense approach to building projects ensures that costs are controlled and delivery dates achieved. Once complete AFC is able to support the owners building management programme so that building maintenance is efficient and planned.

What will the cost benefit to investors adopting this model?

The consortium have developed a building that provides a highly cost effective solution. We have removed unnecessary space, utilized the latest materials and construction methods and reduced the need for mechanical ventilation and cooling of the building. This optimization has focused on areas that do not impact on the educational environment or enjoyment of using the school.

As each building has its basis in designed typology but differs slightly to suit the specific teaching requirements and identified site, investors will benefit from early cost information to assist decision making. Reduced running costs due to efficiencies in the building layout and reduced reliance on air conditioning, together with the opportunity to reduce staff costs through associated key worker accommodation, means that financial returns can be improved whilst maintaining requirements for affordable fee levels. Should investors choose to pool resources, even greater savings could be achieved by different schools sharing facilities such as swimming pools and sports fields and the transport to and from those facilities.

From our own experience of delivery similar models in the UK over the last ten years, we believe we can reduce construction costs for a new ADEC compliant school by up to 30 percent.

How will the Elhaam model enable more schools to be built in the capital?

Elhaam model school is an affordable new school option which has developed in response to the villa school closures in the capital. The consortium's hope that the model will provide an attractive investment opportunity for existing school owners who are interested in improving education provision in Abu Dhabi in line with ADEC's goals and aspirations. There is the opportunity, if school owners collaborate, to reduce investment capital by investigating sites for shared facilities.

What sort of building guidelines does this model follow?

The model complies with ADEC guidelines for new schools. It is an adaptable model for different sizes of school but is most efficient at 1200 students from Kindergarten to G12. The design is also informed by good international design and responds positively to the criteria for sustainable design established in Estidama's Pearl rating system.

Can the cost effectiveness of building a schools have a positive effect on other aspects of operating a school- for example -investing more in recruiting better quality teachers, providing more space for children, expansion while maintaining affordability for the parents?

Construction of a new building is always a balance and a compromise between capital cost and running costs. Obviously low capital cost and low running costs may release money for other things that might benefit students and indeed staff and the wider community which would have appositive effect. This model aims to keep construction costs low and maintain affordable running costs. There are some compromises that mean student and staff may have to walk outside to get from one class room to the other or from classrooms to the hall or learning resource centre. However, the school is designed to maximise shade and reduce travel distances. Working with SSAT it may mean that there are more double periods during the hotter months to reduce time spent with class changes. The benefit of lower costs may release funding for better equipment, higher salaries that might attract better teachers and if successful enable the investor to consider providing more schools for the community.

Who have you collaborated with and what is your target investor for this model? Why?

Elhaam is a collaboration between Stride Treglown – architects and school designers, Education Consultants SSAT, together with engineers Spectrum and contractors and facilities managers Al Futtaim Carillion. We have developed the model for new schools targeted principally at schooling for middle income families in the region. We are talking to individual private investors and hope government agencies involved in the delivery of large numbers of new schools in places like Saudi Arabia, Iraq and India may have an interest.

Contact:

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