A collection of white pointed-dome classrooms is arranged along curved pathways at Al Fanar School in Dubai, created by local architecture studio Emkaan to inspire creativity among students.
Located in the Nab Al Sheba district, the concrete domes are grouped in twos, threes, or fours around winding paths that weave through landscaped gardens and play areas.
Al Fanar School in Dubai by Emkaan
White pointed domes shape the school’s classrooms. Emkaan conceived the campus with an organic, flowing layout free from rigid lines or sharp angles, aiming to encourage exploration while promoting creativity and learning.
The design takes cues from domes and arches in Islamic architecture, while its spiraling arrangement draws on feng shui principles and the fluid movement of koi fish.
Al Fanar School by Emkaan
The school was designed to spark creativity in students. “Our main goal was to create an inclusive and inspiring space that mirrors Dubai’s cultural diversity and fosters resilience and creativity,” said Emkaan founder Muhammad Obaid.
“Every curve and space was imagined as a universal language of inclusivity, nurturing students emotionally and intellectually. The koi fish, a symbol of perseverance and growth, guided the plan, which unfolds in a spiral echoing the koi’s path,” he added.
Concrete pointed-dome classrooms in Dubai by Emkaan
Koi fish inspired the school’s curved master plan. Concrete structures are accessed through pointed-arch entrances. Inside, circular skylights encircle each dome’s apex, casting shifting patterns of sunlight throughout the day.
“Architecture becomes part of the learning experience,” Obaid explained. “Openings let students track the sun’s movement, strengthening their connection to nature. Interconnected spaces foster collaboration, while natural light and organic forms fuel curiosity and creativity.”
In addition to classrooms and play zones, Al Fanar School incorporates administrative areas and community facilities. Landscaping and an on-site educational farm — complete with vegetable gardens and enclosures for chickens and tortoises — were developed in collaboration with local nature group Natura Tribe.