Australian Council for Educational Research

Designing a Living Expression of a Research Powerhouse

ACER, a 90-year-old independent not-for-profit educational research organisation, engaged Praxis to design their new Dubai office. The space needed to express their identity as rigorous, global, and impact-driven, while also narrating their rich history and showcasing their work in assessments, research, and capacity building. We delivered the project end-to-end, from spatial planning and civil works to design and installation, including a café, conference room, collaborative zones, and executive cabins.

Translating Mission and Legacy into Space

The space had to reflect ACER’s global presence without becoming a museum. The environment needed to balance clarity and warmth, allowing for quiet research, active collaboration, and formal meetings. The challenge was to translate core values (evidence-based thinking, learner-centricity, and global relevance) into physical form through modular layouts, custom graphics, and an intuitive spatial flow.

From Evidence to Experience

We brought ACER’s brand pillars to life through a spatial storytelling system. Every zone communicates an aspect of their mission:

• Heritage Spine: A visual timeline from 1930 to today, highlighting ACER’s evolution and milestones in a clean, easy-to-scan narrative.
• Impact Gallery: Rotating infographic panels explaining assessments and research initiatives, simplified through icons and concise content.
• Wayfinding Language: A typographic system inspired by academic reports, with numbered sections, visual legends, and dot-motif accents used across room markers and privacy films.

The result is a thoughtful, future-ready office that feels equal parts research lab, knowledge center, and collaborative workspace.