50 Faces of JESS | brian johnson

5 February, 2026

In 1975, a 26‑year‑old architect helped turn a remote patch of desert into what would become JESS.  
 
Today, Brian Johnson reflects on designing our very first school building in Jumeirah and the vision that sparked 50 years of growth and innovation. His story highlights how a bold vision and child‑centred, thoughtful design laid the foundations for the JESS we know today.