The two phase campus consists of a K-4th grade facility (left) know as Phase 1 and a 5th-12th grade facility (right) known as Phase 2.  As one of the few high-rise schools in the U.S., the GEMS World Academy will serve 2,100 students with an international curriculum.  Construction for Phase 1 began in summer 2013 and is scheduled to be completed in fall 2014.  The ribbons of color on the exterior represent the weaving together of GEMS core values of global citizenship, excellence, innovation, and growing by learning.

The GEMS campus is a 310,000 s.f. facility which includes a 500 seat auditorium, black box theater, planetarium, television and recording studios, technology labs, 6 lane pool competition gym, fitness center, two libraries, two dining centers, rooftop play spaces and student and parent lounges.  Phase 1 is approximately 80,000 s.f. and consists of 9 levels plus a rooftop playground.  The interior colors integrate the values from the exterior with a playfulness for the K-4th grade age group.

The library in the GEMS World Academy – Phase 1 building is a space for students of all age groups from K-4th grade to gather, learn, socialize, and integrate technology with research in education.  The cloud ceiling, bird-shaped pendant light fixtures, pool of blue rugs, wood paneling, and built-in fixed swings below the tree supergraphic create a space resembling a “forest” of learning.  Conceptually, the space of a library is devoted to using tools to further learning in school.  At the GEMS World Academy, a library is an innovative space that has taken on a collaborative use in education.  Both individual and shared environments with soft lounge seating, group table settings, and rug areas are provided.