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WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

China Architecture News - May 24, 2018 - 03:22 28502 views

WSP ARCHITECTS designed a new campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University five kilometers west of the Xixi Wetland in Hanghzou, China. According to the firm, the new campus planning consists of more than a dozen independent but fully open colleges, whose architectural style are different, forming a rich puzzle. The century-old school is reborn in the new century; the interconnected platform is an open stage for teachers and students to perform infinite innovations.

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

“Overlapping books". Image © RUIJING Photography

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Image © RUIJING Photography

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Image © RUIJING Photography

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Image © RUIJING Photography

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Staggered platform. Image © RUIJING Photography

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Image © RUIJING Photography

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Image © RUIJING Photography

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Library. Image © Zhang Hui

A core area complex for all the colleges was arranged by the planner. The complex includes administrative center, archives, adult education centre, institute of Hangzhou urbanization, center library, teacher and student activity center, hotel and reception center, international conference center, theatre and central plaza.

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Image © RUIJING Photography

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Image © RUIJING Photography

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Image © RUIJING Photography

WSP ARCHITECTS explained that "concepts and ideas start with urban design. First of all, a huge site is divided into several smaller-scaled blocks, which are completely open to each other and closely connected to surrounding colleges. Each block is based upon one main function, considering the requirements of an independent managing body for operational management, the blocks are also linked with each other to meet the needs of convenient and flexible use. As far as possible, the ground buildings are arranged to the outside of the blocks, so as to enclose the Main Square in the middle, and the central axis connecting south subway station passes through the square. Here is defined as a fully open space for pedestrians."

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Image © Zhang Hui

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Image © Zhang Hui

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Image © Zhang Hui

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Image © Zhang Hui

"Architectural design is based on a strict modular system, which is used to control the plane, elevation and details of construction of this complicated functional complex, so as to ensure reasonable economic cost, to achieve a high degree of completion of construction quality; and to reduce the burden on future operations and maintenance. It is also a highly adaptive modular system, and we carried out the targeted adjustments to the different requirements of the ten main functions," WSP ARCHITECTS described in its design brief.

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Image © Zhang Hui

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Image © Zhang Hui

WSP ARCHITECTS Designed a New Campus for Century-Old Hangzhou Normal University

Birds eye view. Image © RUIJING Photography

With the expression of the architectural firm's understanding of Hangzhou city character, they hoped that the architecture can present a soft and changeable image to teachers and students. WSP ARCHITECTS added that "it is a direct reflection of the functions such as functional interconnection, outdoor activities, ventilation, and sunshade and so on. It also reduces the volume of the building. As the campus commanding height defined by the plan, we want to make it look like a viewing platform in the landscape, overlooking the campus, overlooking the old streets and looking out over nature."