Dutch architecture workplace UNStudio has completed the initial two buildings of a major new university campus in Singapore, designed as a seamless network of rooms, balconies and courtyards .
Functioning in partnership with regional company DP Architects, Amsterdam-based UNStudio developed five interconnected structures for the campus of Singapore University of Technological innovation and Design – an institution that was only established six many years in the past.
The two firms have now finished the 1st phase of construction. This contains the 7-storey-large blocks 1 and two, as properly as elements of blocks three and five – accounting for 106,000 square metres of floor room.
Photograph by Marc Tey
The design is centred close to the thought of “non-linear” structures. Rather than dividing the campus into different faculties, the architects want to motivate interaction among various departments, as well as among employees and college students.
“We feel that interaction is the crucial to a progressive educational model,” explained DP Architects director Jeremy Tan. “The campus permits open and inclusive interaction in between college students and faculty members from the four academic pillars, via meetings at the numerous collaborative spaces.”
“To foster innovation, the campus demands to allow for flexible solutions to ever-modifying wants, which is why meeting spaces, classrooms and laboratories can adapt to diverse arrangements, addressing the evolving specifications of the university as the versatile curriculum develops,” Tan explained.
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The campus is organised around a north-to-south and an east-to-west axis. These intersect at a stage known as the campus centre, which forms a versatile multi-purpose room that can be employed to host exhibitions and other occasions.
From here, corridors lead via to the main auditorium, the main library and the International Style Centre – a hub for technology-driven analysis. Classrooms, laboratories and meeting rooms are spread out across the campus.
“The design for the SUTD consciously avoids over-articulation and rather focuses on infrastructural qualities, on connectivity and the creation of an open, transparent and light facility that responds to the requirements of the contemporary campus,” mentioned UNStudio founder Ben van Berkel.
Externally, a pre-cast concrete facade technique provides the developing a bright white surface. This is interspersed with flashes of green, red and purple, assisting users to navigate the campus.
“From the exterior the SUTD academic buildings seem like somewhat dense, separate blocks, but they are in truth knowledgeable in a fully connected and open way,” explained 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 designed that indicates the buildings are experienced as a connected total,” he added. “Conventional divisions between rooms and corridors are also dissolved, resulting in versatile spaces and encouraging motion all through the buildings.”
The two completed buildings and individuals even now underway frame courtyards, which are planted with native trees and flowing plants. Balcony corridors cover the surrounding courtyard walls, and there are also roof gardens and terraces.
Responding to the tropical climate, the structures include natural ventilation. Sheltered walkways give safe routes across the web site in the course of monsoons, while louvred sunshades across the windows safeguard the interiors from direct sunlight.
Photograph by Marc Tey
Photography is by Hufton + Crow apart from exactly where otherwise indicated.
Task credits:
Consumer: Singapore University of Engineering and Design
Architects: UNStudio, DP Architects
Project management: PM Link
Structural engineer: Parsons Brinckerhoff
M&E engineer: CPG Consultants
Quantity surveyor: CPG Consultants
Landscape advisor: Surbana Worldwide Consultants
ESD advisor: DP Sustainable Design and style
Acoustics consultant: Acviron Acoustics Consultants
Facade: Arup
Lighting layout: Lighting Planners Associates
Contractor: Kajima Overseas Asia
Website program 
Ground floor plan 
2nd floor program 
Section 
Organisation diagram 
Programmatic gradient diagram 
Interconnectivity diagram 
Spines diagram 
Vertical landscape diagram 
Time diagram 
Parts diagram Dezeen
