A stalwart of the architecture industry, Brian Johnson is perhaps best recognised for his work on the Dubai Creek Golf Club. However, his story began in 1976 when he was invited to design part of the Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) which then led to, what was to be, a long-term relationship with the Dubai College.
Since then, Brian and his team have been involved in the design of many of the well-known schools in the UAE, carving out a niche in education design and defining themselves as specialists in this sector.
In recognition of his contribution to the education landscape, Brian has been awarded The SchoolsCompared.com Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education in the United Arab Emirates 2023-3024.
This award has, to date, been awarded to only two other recipients - Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), and The Varkey Family, for GEMS Education.
“I can’t tell you how surprised and honoured I am to receive this award for my architectural contribution to schools in the region from SchoolsCompared.com. I would like to thank the owners of the schools who have given us these amazing opportunities and the teachers and students who have often given us great feedback on things we could do differently to give them the spaces they want. I would also like to recognise Jason and his team who have designed most of the recent schools in this region and who continue to do a remarkable job,” said Brian Johnson, chairman, Godwin Austen Johnson.
Brian’s work in the education sector spans more than 40 years and the firm’s portfolio includes many of the best schools in the UAE from the Arcadia Schools in Dubai and Cranleigh in Abu Dhabi to the latest Citizens School in Dubai and, of course, the landmark Dubai College which Brian and his team have been working on since the school’s inception.