GEMS World Academy, Senior School

The Brief

GEMS World Academy – Senior School Campus set out to reimagine its learning environment to reflect the maturity, ambition and global outlook of its secondary students. Praxis was appointed to lead a comprehensive school-wide branding and spatial transformation, spanning Ground to Second Floor.

The objective was to create environments that support career readiness, critical thinking and global responsibility, while remaining deeply aligned with the IB framework and the school’s international ethos.

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A School-Wide Transformation

Unlike isolated interventions, the Senior School project was conceived as a fully integrated branding system — ensuring consistency of narrative, visual language and intent across all floors and learning zones.

Each space was designed to speak to older learners: aspirational, informed and future-facing.

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The Concepts & Spaces

Reception — A Confident First Impression
The reception was designed as a refined, welcoming entry point that reflects the Senior School’s academic focus and global positioning. Clean visual language and purposeful storytelling establish clarity and credibility from the outset.

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Careers in Science
Dedicated zones highlight pathways and opportunities within scientific fields, helping students visualise futures in research, innovation and applied sciences. The storytelling bridges learning today with careers tomorrow.

GWALI – GEMS World Academy Language Institute
The Language Institute was branded to reflect global communication, cultural exchange and linguistic diversity — positioning language as a powerful tool for connection and leadership.

Design Technology Labs
The DT labs were transformed into hands-on innovation spaces that support experimentation, prototyping and problem-solving — environments where ideas can be tested, built and evolved.

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‍IB-Based Branding
Praxis translated key IB frameworks into spatial storytelling:

• Approaches to Learning (ATL)
• MYP Global Contexts

These concepts were embedded visually across learning environments, reinforcing inquiry, reflection and learner agency beyond the classroom.

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UAE Timeline
A thoughtfully curated UAE timeline celebrates national heritage and progress, grounding global education within a strong local context — reinforcing identity, pride and awareness.

UN Sustainable Development Goals
The SDGs were integrated as a core narrative layer across the campus, encouraging students to think critically about global challenges, responsibility and impact — aligning seamlessly with GWA’s values-driven education.

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Designing for the Senior Learner

Every decision across the campus was guided by a clear principle:
spaces should prepare students for life beyond school.

The design language balances maturity with inspiration — encouraging independence, purpose and confidence.

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