Private School Design Manual

November 2010
A Guide for School Owners,
Administrators and Design Professionals
DESIGN MANUAL
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR
PRIVATE SCHOOL FACILITIES
Infrastructure and Facilities
Management Division
Introduction
Review and Oversight of
Private School Facilities
Minimum Requirements
Site Sizes and Location
Parking, Pick‐up and Drop‐of Lanes
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3
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4
5
Table of contents
Outdoor Areas
Space Requirements
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7
Systems, Materials and Finishes 8
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1. Introduction
Abu Dhabi aims to be "a contemporary expression of an Arab city, with people, living, doing business
and thriving in healthy, supportive, proximity to each other"1, with education defned as "a pillar
that shall enable Abu Dhabi to meet standards of excellence achieved in the most highly educated
countries of the world", and with the "highest quality, comprehensive system of education that applies
world class standards and expertise".2
High quality education systems operate from facilities that are safe, attractive, appropriate for learning,
environmentally friendly and enriching to all members of the communities they serve. These
requirements are incorporated into the ADEC's Design Manual presented here, to which all private
schools seeking licensing are expected to conform.
These requirements defne both entitlement and obligation, As all children in the Emirate of Abu
Dhabi are entitled to a quality education, and the school owners and operators have the obligation,
to at least meet these minimum facility requirements.
1 Plan Abu Dhabi 2030
2 Policy Agenda 2007-2008 Executive Council of the Emirates of Abu Dhabi
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General requirements for the design of educational facilities for private schools are:
• Educationally Suitable - provide multiple teaching and learning environments to accommodate
present and future needs.
• Stimulating and Vibrant - create spaces that stimulate creativity and provide eagerness for
learning and discovery.
• Healthy and Productive - enable students and teachers to achieve maximum potential by
providing healthy, safe, and comfortable environments.
• Cost Efective - design facilities that are easy to build, maintain, and operate.
• Sustainable - minimize negative environmental impacts and maximize the use of non-polluting,
renewable resources.
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2. Minimum Requirements
Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) is the regulatory body that provides licensing and accreditation
to private schools in Abu Dhabi. ADEC sets the minimum standards that must be met, in terms of:
educational outcomes, health and safety, building requirements, site requirements, etc.
In order for ADEC to grant a license to operate a private school in Abu Dhabi the school owner
of operator shall submit for ADEC’s approval, several documents that include information on the
planned school’s education philosophy, mission, goals and general nature of instructional programs
including the learning activities and the spaces in which they shall be housed, the methods of
instructional delivery, the materials and equipment to be used, utilities, infrastructure and furniture.
Details shall include instructional programs, grade confguration, type of facility, spatial relationships,
estimated number of students, list of spaces (specialized, non-instructional support, outdoor spaces,
etc.), number and size of spaces, school administrative organization, outdoor areas, hours of operation,
safety and security precautions.
All school designs shall be required by ADEC to comply with the requirements of the Abu Dhabi
Building Code, current edition. The schools will also comply with the requirements of the local codes
and laws including Civil Defense and Urban Planning commission. Of all the relevant codes and by-
laws most stringent shall apply.
All renovations or additions that require major change of dimensions or use of spaces including
expansion proposals of existing schools are subject to these guidelines and must be reviewed and
approved by ADEC before any work is carried out.
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3. Review and Oversight of Private School Facilities
Owners and operators are encouraged to use the ADEC Design Manual for public shcools as a guide towards
achieving higher standards than the minimum required here, as well as higher levels of sustainability.
ADEC recommends that private school owners and operators select an architectural design frm to
develop their school design from a list of pre‐qualifed frms available from ADEC. Such frms are
familiar with these minimum requirements, submission documentation needs and process to be
followed. Any architectural design frm registered in the UAE can submit their qualifcation to ADEC
by providing the documentation requested in Pre‐qualifcation form included in
Architectural design frms shall receive a copy of this Design Manual and shall be required to produce a
design that shall meet or exceed the requirements stated herein. If due to site constraints or program
innovation, and creativity, any of these minimum requirements necessitate a possible review, the
school owner can request a variance in writing to ADEC. The request shall be accompanied by full
substantiation and discussion about the rationale and possible impacts on student performance
and teacher satisfaction. All correspondence sent to ADEC shall be signed by the school owner or
properly appointed representative. All drawings and project documentation shall be signed by the
owner and dated.
ADEC shall requires certain submittals from private school owners for review and approved, before
licensing. such as:
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3.1 SPACE PROGRAM APPROVAL
3.2 CONCEPT DESIGN APPROVAL
The Space Program will have a format similar to the example included in Appendix B. It will be
reviewed by ADEC only after the educational and business model has been approved by the Licensing
Department.
Once the Space Program has been approved, and an appropriate site has been procured, a concept
design shall be prepared and submitted for ADEC’s review. The minimum documentation to be provided
includes:
• Site plan, Scale 1:500
• Floor plans, elevations and sections Scale 1: 250
• Program of spaces showing the number and area of spaces and description of functions,
and the formula used to determine the number of: music, ICT, art, science labs and the
areas of the cafeteria, gymnasium and all other instructional and non-instructional spaces.
• If the intention is that certain functions such as dining will be in more than one shift, or in
another area, the information shall be clearly mentioned.
• Conceptual narrative of:
Structural system;
MEP systems;
Building envelope systems;
Building code and health and safety analysis.
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3.3 FINAL DESIGN APPROVAL
Once the Concept Design phase is approved, the architectural design frm shall abide by the approved
concept in all further design phases. If during the course of the design any clarifcations are needed,
they will be submitted in writing to ADEC.
Once the design is completed, the architectural design frm will seek the approval of the owner, civil
defense, and all pertinent entities. Finally, construction documents and specifcations will be submitted
for ADEC’s approval, before the approval from the Municipality and will include these minimum
requirements:
• Site plan with civil works Scale 1: 250
• Architectural foor plans, sections and elevations Scale 1:100
• Details in appropriate scale
• Doors and windows schedule
• Finishes schedules
• ICT schedule, and specifcations
• Structural drawings, details and calculation sheets
• Electrical drawings, details and calculation sheets
• Mechanical drawings, details and calculation sheets
• Plumbing drawings, details and calculation sheets
• Irrigation drawings and details
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• Landscape drawings and details
• Engineering narratives
• Trafc impact study if required by the authorities.
The purpose of this fnal review by ADEC is to verify that the fnal documentation to be used for
tender refects the initial concept ideas. If at any point during the design process the architectural
design deviates from the initial concept, the owner shall submit a formal request to ADEC for approval.
The ADEC review are meant to be for educational adequacy. The municipalities and like safety authorities
shall provide review and approval for building codes and life safety.
In general terms the approval process includes the steps indicated in the following graphic
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All submittals shall be done using a cover sheet signed by the school owner or administrator, in two
paper copies and two electronic copies in the form of CDs.
ADEC or authorized representative may sporadically visit the construction site to verify that the
construction is progressing in accordance with the originally approved design.
ADEC shall not issue a license to operate a private school unless the facilities have been approved by
ADEC and the Municipality where the school will be located.
In case the school owner has contracted the management of the school to a school operator, a copy
of such contract shall be included in the license request application. ADEC shall verify that the school
operator assumes full responsibility for providing and maintaining adequate school facilities.
4. Site Sizes and Location
Safety and accessibility are primary considerations along with suitability and convenience when selecting
potential school sites. Sites with following characteristics are unsuitable for school development:
• Sites within 2 km of an existing airport runway or a potential airport runway included in an
airport master plan. The distance shall be measured from the nearest portion of the runway
to the most adjacent portion of the school site.
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• Sites within potentially unsafe distances from high voltage power transmission lines.
Distances are from the edge of the power line easement to the nearest portion of the site.
Limitation restrictions are as follows:
30m from an easement for a 50-133kV line.
45m from an easement for a 220-1230kV line.
110m from an easement for a 500-550kV line.
• Sites on or adjacent to high trafc highways, as school access has to be on a
secondary road.
• Sites with irregular shapes, an unpractical for quality school design.
• Sites adjacent to high rise buildings that can compromise the privacy or safety of students.
• Sites within 500m of any facility that might reasonably emit or handle hazardous materials,
substances or wastes. Distances are from the edge of the nearest portion of the facility site
to the nearest portion of the school site.
• Sites with above or below ground pressurized gas, or gasoline pipelines. Schools may be
located on sites with below ground natural gas lines that serve neighborhoods or the
school itself.
• Sites within 500 m of an easement of an above ground or underground high‐pressure water
pipeline.
• Sites within 100 m of propane storage tanks.
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• Site dimensions must be of a nature that they promote efcient trafc fow around the
site,provide suitable exits and parking, and allow for adequate playing felds.
• The site size must be selected such that the school does not have more than ground plus
one foor for students between grades 1 to 5 and no more than ground plus two foors for
students of grade 6 to 12.
• The site must be selected such that it comfortably accommodates the building footprint
consisting of all the educational spaces required for the approved curriculum with at least
the minimum areas, and all the support spaces and site amenities required by this Design
Manual.
• There must be clear access for emergency vehicles to be able to service the campus.
Operators shall consult the Department of Civil Defense and local authorities for requirements.
• In case of schools of a wide range of grade levels, functional design shall allow for younger
students to be separated from older students, and have separated means of ingress and
egress.
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• The school site size equals the building footprint + outdoor educational spaces+ sports
felds + required car parking + required bus parking + safe car and bus drop of + driveways
+ fre fghting access, as needed + required setbacks. ADEC’s Infrastructure and Facilities
Division, shall be available to discuss site options before the site is purchased or allocated.
The minimum site size requirements shall be:
Please note that ADEC prefers the school student capacity not to exceed 2000 grade students, and 320
kindergarten students. However, larger size schools may be considered, on case by case basis provided
the facility is appropriately designed and grade levels are clearly separated and room stacking allows
for safe vertical circulations.

School in three levels or more are acceptable within the same site dimensions
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High Density Urban Sites
Students living in high density urban areas deserve the same quality school facilities as all other students.
These schools shall still meet ADEC requirements and standards as stated in this Design Manual,
however, certain special considerations may be made for secondary level schools, as follows:
•Height increase to ground plus three for 6‐12 grade schools.
•Minimum plot size may be reduced if the following criteria are met:
Underground, or of‐site parking provision with an approved travel plan.
Rooftop sport and recreation facilities that don’t interfere with mechanical or other
equipment.
Outdoor sporting areas provided of‐site. However, these felds must be within
close proximity to the school and procedures must be in place to ensure student
safety. These facilities may be shared with the community as public parks, stadiums,
community pools, etc. It is the responsibility of the education provider to ensure
a contract is in place with the relevant government authority to share community
facilities for a long‐term. The contract shall be submitted to ADEC before fnal
approval for school plans may be obtained.
If the height of the school exceeds ground plus two stories, the internal vertical
circulation must be sufcient so as a class of 30 students plus a teacher can move as
a group to any foor, safely.
School trafc plan must not cause any disruption to local trafc patterns.
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5. Parking, Pick‐up and Drop‐of Lanes
Private schools are required to develop a site design approach to parking, pick‐up and drop‐of that
allows safe access to the school building without the need for pedestrians to cross trafc fow, nor
to travel extreme distances from the parking lot to the school entrance. At no time shall the students
be required to cross high vehicular trafc area. The following are requirements for parking, pick‐up
and drop‐of:
•All parking lots and drives are required to be paved not gravel.
•Trafc signage to conform to local requirements.
•Accessible route, including handicapped parking spaces and wheelchair ramps shall be provided
for those with physical disabilities, to all entrances.
•There shall be separation between bus trafc, and parent drop of to avoid confict
between two types of trafc.
•There shall be one‐way trafc alongside sidewalk at main entrance to the school, in the
same direction as adjacent trafc fow, for parents and buses to park and drop‐of and pick‐
up students.
•The service drive shall be located away from main entry and staf/visitor parking areas to
avoid confusion and confict in trafc fow.
•Trafc studies shall be conducted as required by the municipalities and trafc fow design
shall meet those requirements.
•Refer to Department of Transportation requirements.

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6. Outdoor Areas
7. Space Requirements
• Physical education areas shall include playing feld for exercise and sports practice
• Outdoor shaded learning space of 20 m2 per grade level is considered appropriate.
• The landscape shall be designed to meet the requirements of the municipalities and
provisions shall be made at the design stage to assure proper maintenance. School
owners and operators are encouraged to provide green spaces over the minimum
requirements, with sustainable design consideration in mind.
This Design Manual includes space requirements that work well with an average number of 25 students
for kindergarten classrooms and 30 students for grades 1 to 12. Any increases of these numbers shall
be carefully analyzed in order to not afect the school business model and at the same time provide
a school facility that is safe, conducive to learning and economical to build and maintain.
The minimum space requirements are:
•Room sizes must be calculated according to the maximum expected capacity of the school.
If during the operation of the school, ADEC determines that certain spaces are being used
for capacities in excess of those initially planned for, penalties may be imposed and the
school’s license may be suspended until situation is remedied. Indicative layouts are
included in Appendix C.
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• Room sizes are based on 25 students in K1 ‐ K2, and 30 students in primary and secondary
schools unless the approved instructional program stipulates other class sizes.
• K1‐K2 to have a minimum of 54 M2 for 25 student standard or 2.16 M2 per student.
• Primary and secondary schools to have a minimum of 50 M2 per 30 student classroom or
1.67 M2 per student.
• Toilets requirements shall be calculated according to the International Building Code, latest
edition, or the local requirements, whichever are more stringent. One water fountain is
required per 75 students.
• Toilet design shall prevent direct visuals from the circulation areas to WCs and lavatories.
• Each kindergarten classrooms shall have at least one small size toilet and one sink which
shall be accessible internally from within the classroom.
• If an educational program requires 40 periods per week of a specialist subject, like science,
art, music, ICT a specialist subject classroom is required.
• The need for special classrooms like: art, music, laboratories, etc shall be determined
considering how many hours per week a particular subject is taught in a particular space
(hourly load), and the space will be available (capacity).
• Science laboratories shall be a minimum of 69 M2 or 2.3 M2/Student for 30 students.
• Laboratories that have chemicals shall have a separate lockable chemical storage room.
• Laboratories and preparation rooms must have appropriate ventilation, and emergency
shut‐of controls.
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• The eye/ face wash and safety shower shall be located inside the chemistry laboratories.
• Allow space at 2.4 M2 per student for 590 of school population for students with special
needs. This space may be arranged per the specifc schools’ curriculum requirements.
• The library shall have a minimum of 30 m2 and 0.20 m2 per student. If there are more than
12 computers in the library, then add 2.4 m2 each additional computer station. Depending
on the educational delivery model, up to half of the reading/ reference area function of the
library may be dispersed throughout the facility outside the normal library boundaries,
where appropriate space shall be allocated.
• Physical education and other recreational activities require:
A minimum, 180 m2 multipurpose play area for up to 1000 students; double the size
for larger schools.
Outside learning/ recreation areas shall be calculated at a rate of 0.5 per student,
and 1/2 of this space shall be shaded.
Multipurpose areas could serve as places for assemblies, physical activities,
examinations, public performances, parents’ evenings and community events.
Dining halls and multipurpose areas could be located next to each other with a
folding partition so that the spaces can be combined when they are required to
serve larger number of participants.
Appropriate storage for physical education equipment, chairs etc.
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• For staf and administration, every school shall include administrative space. In general,
allow 0.2 m2 per student for administrative functions.
An ofce for the principal of at least 12 m2.
Work and meeting space for teaching staf.
A main ofce with storage space for confdential records and a link to the reception.
Additional accommodation for the accounts staf and other administrative staf.
Photocopy facilities.
• Additional requirements for kindergarten are:
Kindergartens could be either a standalone structure or be integrated into the main
school building, as long as it has an independent access, and a clear defnition of its
specifc areas.
All kindergarten functions must be located on ground foor.
An outside fenced and shaded learning and play area shall be provided, separate
from other yards or play areas in a school.
The facilities, equipment and access to the premises should be suitable for children
with disabilities.
A multi-purpose air-conditioned closed hall with an area of 90 m2 suitable for the
range of activities is recommended to be in the proximity of the classrooms.
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Spaces
Minimum size in
m2
Minimum m2 per
student
Notes
Building
KG Classrooms 25 students
54 2.16 See layout in appendix C
1-12 Classrooms 30 students
50 1.67 See layout in appendix C
Science
69 2.30 See layout in appendix C
Storage/ prep room
20 1 per 2 science rooms
Music or art room
69 2.30
ICT
69 2.30
Special education
40 At least one per school
Library
30 0.20
Administration
0.20
Medical clinic
Per Health Department
Prayer room
30 Two required in two gender schools
Multipurpose room
180
Gymnasium
726
Site
Paved play areas - 50% shaded
0.50 50% shall be shaded
Parking
Per Department of Transportation
Pick-up, Drop Off 500 Within school limits
Playfields
According to educational program and availability other spaces
Allow additional space for toilets, lockers
and showers.
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8. Systems, Materials and Finishes
One of the requirements of the concept design submission is a narrative report indicating -at a
conceptual level‐ what solutions the architectural design frm has in mind for the subject project. At
concept design phase ADEC shall be informed of which standards the architectural design frm will
use in their designs. The following are minimum requirements that have to be achieved:
Lighting
• Achieve the following illumination levels:
• All instructional spaces (with the exception of assembly spaces and similar dedicated purpose
instructional spaces) shall have a minimum of 5% of gross foor area as window glazing to
provide daylighting.
• Natural light shall be comfortable and glare free and supplemented as necessary with electric
lighting to satisfy educational requirements during day and night hours.
• Light should be evenly distributed throughout walls, teaching surfaces and desk levels.
Educational areas 400 Lux
Administrative, clinic and service areas 300 Lux
Internal circulations and assembly spaces 100 Lux
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• Emergency lighting shall be provided with power from two sources. The primary source
may be connected at any point within the normal lighting system. The secondary source
shall operate automatically upon interruption of the primary source and shall transfer the
emergency light fxtures to the battery backed supply.
Thermal comfort and indoor air quality
The building’s HVAC system must be designed, installed, and operated to enhance the learning and
the teaching by eliminating “thermal distractions” for teacher and student alike. The efective design
for thermal comfort must confront and control three vital indicators of a healthy educational environment:
temperature, humidity, and ventilation. These are the requirements to be met:
• Temperature: Design conditions for space temperatures shall be as follows: Summer: 22 to
24 degrees C
• Humidity: Design conditions for the range of temperatures listed above shall be 40 to 60%
relative humidity.
• Ventilation levels shall be at least: 0.60 L/s per m2 for fresh air and 4 changes per hour for
exhaust.
• Provide at least one operable window in each room to provide natural ventilation.
• Swimming pools require a specialty design for the HVAC system to provide humidity control
and to minimize evaporation. Air temperatures in pool area should be maintained 1 to 2o C
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above the water temperatures year round. Relative humidity in the pool area should be
maintained at 50 to 60%. Water temperatures for recreational pools are 24 to 29oC.
Bathrooms and plumbing fxtures
• Dual fush toilets, low fow and high efciency plumbing fxtures shall be used.
• Bathrooms shall be appropriately distributed throughout the instructional, ancillary and
administrative areas.
• All bathroom fxtures shall be age appropriate.
•Provide plumbingfxtures per the building code. At a minimum provide:
One WC is required per every 30 students, and one water fountain per every 75
students of grades 1 to 12. Provide 2 lavatories per 3 WCs
• One WC is required for every 20 students of kindergarten
• At least one bathroom for people with disabilities shall be provided in every foor.
Acoustics
Low Sound Transmission Class (STC) walls, foors, doors, and window shall be provided between
critical instruction spaces and other similar spaces, or spaces were noise transmission will cause
disruption of teaching and learning. Acoustic treatment shall be provided to avoid echo and long
reverberation times in instructional spaces.
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Accessibility
Information and Communication Technology
Access and inclusion for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is required for all
schools. Keep in mind the following:
• The education facility shall be designed to accommodate students, staf, and visitors with
physical disabilities and provide them with the opportunity to move freely within the school.
• Toilet rooms shall be designed to allow use by people with disabilities.
• Ramps shall be provided and shall meet International Building Code Requirements.
• Handrails and guardrails shall be provided at stairs and ramps and other changes in elevation
where railing would be required.
School buildings shall be equipped to allow for computer technology in every educational and
administrative space, and a central server shall be placed in a room not accessible to students and
close to the administration area.
APPENDIX A.
APPENDIX B.
APPENDIX C.
APPENDIX
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APPENDIX A.
PRE-QUALIFICATION FORM FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN FIRMS AND CONSULTANTS
Letters requesting Pre‐qualifcation for consulting and design work should be addressed to:
Division Manager
Infrastructure and Facilities
Abu Dhabi Educational Council
P. O. Box: 36005, Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
To such letter, please attach 3 copies of a CD containing the following information in a PDF format:
1‐ General information of your frm.
2- Firm presence and registrations in the UAE
3‐ Specifc experience in educational facilities planning and design. Indicate: size of the
project, cost, number of students served, design and construction dates.
4‐ Description of how you frm addresses conceptual and schematic design phases. Conceptual
drawings should be included if necessary to support text.
5- Firm’s capabilities and experience in environmentally friendly design, and strategy to meet
Estidama requirements.
6- Firm’s resources for engineering disciplines, whether in house or by consultants.
7- Firm’s quality assurance and quality control processes.
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8‐ CVs of frm principals with experience in educational facilities planning and design.
No paper documentation please. Your pre‐qualifcation information has to contain all the eight
points mentioned above, and has to be organized in the same manner to facilitate evaluation.
Individual consultants are encouraged to submit their qualifcations as well. The size of the frm
is not a disqualifcation factor. Smaller frms, please emphasize core strengths. For specialty frms
(structural, MEP, food services, acoustics, lighting, furniture, equipment, etc.) lack of school experience
is not a decisive factor.
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APPENDIX B. SPACE PROGRAM FORMAT (SAMPLE)

Multi purpose space
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KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM AREA: 54 M2
25 STUDENTS; 2.16 M2 PER STUDENT
APPENDIX C.
INDICATIVE LAYOUTS
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1 to 12 CLASSROOM AREA: 50 M2
30 STUDENTS; 1.67 M2 PER STUDENT
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SCIENCE/ ART LABORATORY AREA: 69 M2
30 STUDENTS; 2,30 M2 PER STUDENT
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ICT ROOM AREA: 69 M2
30 STUDENTS; 2,30 M2 PER STUDENT
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MUSIC ROOM AREA: 69 M2
30 STUDENTS; 2,30 M2 PER STUDENT
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For updates to this Design Manual, please visit:
For updates please go to: http://www.adec.ac.ae
and follow Publications link.
Copyright ©2010
Abu Dhabi Education Council- ADEC
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, without prior written permission from ADEC