The Westlake University in Hangzhou, China's first private research university, is aimed to establish itself as a cutting-edge institution rivaling other well-known, world-class universities. HENN was selected as the winner of the international design competition for the Westlake University Campus in July 2017.
The campus represents an exchange university for interdisciplinary studies, encouraging cooperation and communication between different research fields. This feature is clearly reflected in the master plan and the building designs. The campus is characterized by the central institute buildings, which form the core of the campus on a circular island.
The four research institutes for biology, medicine, natural sciences and engineering are all arranged around the Academic Loop, offering communication and collaboration space. With a diameter of 300 meters, the curved central building connects the individual departments and embraces the inner campus park with its central academic hall. Twelve bridges connect the Institute Island to the surrounding supporting areas which include a library, museum, residential and sports facilities, refectories and a conference hotel.
The campus has a gross floor area of 600.000m2 and will be completed at the end of 2021.
Images: Courtesy of HENN