MASTERPLAN FOR THE FUTURE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
Universities are more than merely places of study. Universities today are places for living, working and studying. Students want active, diverse, lively places. Cities offer these conditions. And urban places want to take advantage of all the ? student life, research technologies, etc. Our design preserves and enhances great existing natural qualities of the site. Proximity to the hills, gives the project a great backdrop, and the campus structure frames views, while existing water systems are linked to become the backbone, framework, and key feature for the entire campus network.
A campus is not a singular place. It needs different identities to give each area character. In relation to their context, program, and geographic setting, each area takes its own identity. The proposal suggests a variety of gardens, giving each area identity and a series of intimate, diverse moments to interact with nature.
The brief called for a grand central library. The proposal instead creates an active learning district. Besides the main library, the library program is separated into a series of faculty specific libraries. The libraries along with a restaurant function act as the front face of each building. Behind that front face other public spaces are included ? lecture halls, grand stairs, event spaces, etc. This essentially results in one big public space for learning filled with activity and places to hang out learn and share knowledge. Living and Learning are complex and intertwined. The proposal creates a series of interconnected spaces that allow for complex university life, to unfold in ways that are welcoming to students, faculty, and to the public at large.
