Since the site has a low presence of vegetation, a considerable number of plantations, especially of trees, was carried out to ensure adequate human comfort levels in paths, outdoor seating areas, adding aesthetic framing and visual references, and buffer or productive green areas.
The Aga Khan Academy campus outdoor spaces are organized in the following key areas:
The Entrance Garden, where a set of terraces covered with low level vegetation provides opening views towards the Court of Palms and the main façade of the Academy, connecting the parking and VIP drop-off plaza and the Court of the Palms.
The Court of the Palms, that is one of the most important places where the Academy presents itself to the world. A space for gatherings, welcome and celebration. The palm trees are planted following the pavement grid, and in front of the Academy Building, a water feature adds an element of interest to the courtyard, framing the entrance.
The Moyo, being the Heart of the Academy campus, is a vibrant place where students, faculty and staff member constantly cross and stop by. It is the social area of the Academy by excellence, and it is also the designated space for the celebration of the Academy community. The shading structures proposed by the architects for this area give its users protection from sun exposure and rain. The large open field acts as a focal point and its main three areas, the Common’s terrace, the amphitheater, and a large open field allow for a large spectrum of activities.
The Junior school Classroom Courtyards were designed to be playful and flexible to allow recreational activities between classes, and other events such as group plenaries or small student presentations, and/or teaching clusters for outdoor classrooms. These inner courtyards are recreational as well as teaching and learning spaces, allowing a seamless continuation of teaching and learning from inside to the outside.
The Student Residences courtyards welcome a number of different activities related with the building everyday life, such as social gatherings after school hours, study sessions (small groups or individually), or just to read a book in the shade of a tree planted in the proposed raised beds.
