all photos © Hufton+Crow

The academic campus for the Singapore University of Technology and Design reflects an in-depth understanding of the changing requirements of learning institutions today. Connectivity, collaboration, co-creation, innovation and sociality are at the basis of UNStudio’s design thinking on New Campuses.

Ben van Berkel: “By introducing diagonal and framed view corridors, vertical and horizontal connections and covered walkways and by tapering the elevations of the buildings, openness is created that means the buildings are experienced as a connected whole.”

Designed by UNStudio and DP Architects, the academic campus for the Singapore University of Technology and Design reflects an in-depth understanding of the changing requirements of learning institutions today. Connectivity, collaboration, co-creation, innovation and sociality are at the basis of UNStudio’s design thinking on New Campuses.

The SUTD offers four key academic pillars: Architecture and Sustainable Design, Engineering Product Development , Engineering Systems and Design and Information Systems Technology and Design. The SUTD is a driver of technological innovation and economic growth, with the new campus bringing together people, ideas and innovation.

The new academic campus directly reflects SUTD’s curriculum, using the creative enterprise of the school to facilitate a cross-disciplinary interface. The design offers an opportunity to embrace innovation and creativity through a non-linear connective relationship between students, faculty and professionals.

Following the master plan, the academic campus is designed through two main axes: the living and learning spines, which overlap to create a central point and bind together all corners of the campus. At the centre of this node UNStudio proposed a flexible space for exhibitions, events and interaction: this Campus Centre forms the intellectual heart of the campus and directly links the main programmatic anchors of the Auditorium, the International Design Centre and the University Library.

The SUTD is a highly sustainable building, incorporating numerous passive design strategies designed to counteract the conditions caused by Singapore’s tropical climate. Based on extensive orientation and wind studies natural ventilation principles are applied throughout the design, alongside cooling techniques, covered walkways, louvred facade shading, open voids, extensive daylight to the interiors and protection from heavy rain showers.

Project Facts

Singapore-based architect: DP Architects Pte Ltd, Singapore
Client: Singapore University of Technology and Design
Location: Singapore
Gross Floor Area (Phase 1): 106,000 m2
Site Area of Academic zone: approx. 83,000 m2
Programme: University Campus
Status: Phase 1 completed 2015

UNStudio: Ben van Berkel, Christian Veddeler with Ren Yee, Andreas Bogenschütz and Astrid Piber, Jordan Trachtenberg, Kirsten Hollmann, Jeffrey Johnson, Adi Utama, Paula Ibarrondo, Christina Bolis, Ka Shin Liu, Steven Reisinger, Daniel Buzalko, Michael Sims, Chris Masicampo, Philipp Meise, Melissa Lui, Giorgia Cannici, Jacob Sanders, Richard Teeling, Nanang Santoso, Pieter Meier, Olivier Yebra, Teoman Ayas, Hajdin Dragusha.

Supporting consultants: Project management: PM Link Pte Ltd, Singapore

Civil & structure: Parsons Brinckerhoff PTE, Singapore
M&E and Q&S: CPG Consultants Pte Ltd., Singapore
Landscape: Surbana International Consultants Pte Ltd., Singapore
Façade: Arup Singapore Pte Ltd
Acoustics: Acviron Acoustics Consultants Pte Ltd,
Lighting design: Lighting Planners Associates (S) Pte Ltd., Singapore

Contractor: Kajima Overseas Asia Pte Ltd

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