German architecture firm HENN has completed the design of the Westlake University Yungu Campus in Hangzhou, China, creating a cutting-edge educational facility that spans 910,000 square meters. The project, set for completion in 2025, represents a significant milestone in contemporary university architecture, featuring state-of-the-art academic facilities, laboratories, offices, sports complexes, dining halls, and residential buildings for an international community of students and faculty.
Established in 2018, Westlake University stands as a premier research institution dedicated to fundamental scientific research and cutting-edge technological innovation in China. Located in the western part of Hangzhou, the campus serves as a hub for academic excellence and international collaboration. The university's mission focuses on advancing scientific knowledge and fostering innovation across multiple disciplines.
The architectural design addresses multiple scales and requirements, from the comprehensive master plan to individual building specifications. Lead architect Martin Henn conceptualized the campus layout as a series of concentric rings that organize the facility both physically and conceptually. These rings include the Academic Core at the center, surrounded by the Water Loop, and encompassed by the outer Living Loop, creating a harmonious balance between academic pursuits and daily life.
The academic facilities are strategically divided among four distinct buildings, each housing different schools within the university. The School of Science, School of Engineering, School of Life Sciences, and School of Medicine occupy separate structures that share a cohesive architectural language. All buildings feature a modular, bar-shaped design with a distinctive precast concrete frame system, while each façade incorporates unique colorful accents and custom patterns that reflect the individual character of each academic discipline.
Connecting bridges between the building bars create a series of intimate courtyards that promote interaction and collaboration. These structures are strategically interlocked with the circular Academic Loop to encourage connection and interdisciplinary exchange among students, faculty, and researchers from different fields. The intersections of the loop and institute buildings serve as prime locations for shared spaces that foster academic community.
The ground floor of these intersection points houses laboratories available to students and researchers from various disciplines, promoting cross-pollination of ideas and collaborative research. Upper floors contain auditoriums, seminar rooms, and meeting spaces, as well as informal areas including cafés and exhibition spaces that encourage spontaneous interactions and knowledge sharing.
At the heart of the design lies the Academic Ring, which serves as the dense intellectual and social core of the university. This dynamic, triple-height space offers panoramic vistas through and into the connected buildings, creating a sense of openness and connectivity. The circular form houses communal spaces, meeting areas, seminar rooms, and specialized laboratories. The design deliberately leaves the circular arc incomplete, evoking a sense of openness and unlimited possibilities for future development and expansion.
Centered within the ring sits the university's central park, a beautifully landscaped garden designed for retreat, contemplation, and socialization. This green space provides a natural respite from academic activities and serves as a gathering place for the university community. The park features the main Auditorium, which serves as the formal venue for graduations and academic ceremonies, while regularly transforming into a vibrant space for concerts and cultural events that bring the broader community together.
The entire campus is encircled by a tranquil waterway that creates a peaceful boundary and natural element throughout the design. Twelve bridges, arranged like spokes on a wheel, connect the academic core to the verdant Living Loop, where freestanding residential buildings for students and faculty are strategically located. This outer ring buzzes with activity, surrounded by shops, dining facilities, and sports complexes that create a vibrant hub of private and social life.
The project team included several key collaborators who brought specialized expertise to the development. WES LandschaftsArchitektur served as landscape consultants, ensuring seamless integration between built and natural environments. RDesign International provided lighting consultation, while Shanghai Construction Group handled construction implementation. Local expertise came from UAD – The Architectural Design & Research Institute of Zhejiang University Co. Ltd., which served as the local design institute.
The campus design philosophy centers on movement and discovery rather than efficiency alone. Rather than prioritizing the shortest routes between destinations, the design encourages and guides movement through the different rings, each offering its own unique character and atmosphere. This approach provides diverse experiences, opportunities for inspiration, and promotes vibrant exchange among the university community. The architects believe that serendipitous encounters spark new ideas and innovative ways of thinking.
The project successfully combines inspiration from both natural and cultural elements throughout its design. The central Auditorium serves a dual purpose, hosting academic lectures as well as musical concerts and cultural performances, making it a leading cultural venue in the region. This multipurpose approach invites life from the surrounding community into the heart of Westlake University, effectively blurring the traditional boundaries between academic and social life and creating a more integrated educational environment.
