Westlake University, China

Ria Mary Varghese

28 S8 BARCH
CONTEXT
• The world class research institution located in
Hangzhou Shi, China.
• Constructed in 2 phases: the first in Fall 2021 and the
second in 2022
• A new type of non-profit higher education institution
organized by social forces and supported by the
state, and organized by Hangzhou Westlake
Education Foundation.
• From 2017 to 2021, the full-time enrollment is 1,220
students. 19 Phase I PhD students and 120 Phase II
PhD students enrolled in2017 and 2018.

Architects: HENN
Area: 920000 sq.m (227 acres)
PLANNING & DESIGN PRINCIPLES

• The campus has followed the

design principle of zoning the
main academic activities in the
core and secondary spaces
outside.
• The academic loop-
educational buildings,
administrative, library,
museums and meeting spaces
in the core
• Student apartments, faculty
and senior faculty apartments
outside the academic loop
PLANNING & DESIGN PRINCIPLES

• Addresses a range of scales and needs, from

individual buildings to its urban-scale master
plan.
• A series of concentric rings that organize the
campus (physically and conceptually)
• The Academic Loop, the Water Loop, and the
Living Loop.
• Each major - Medicine, Biology, Sciences, and
Computer Sciences - is in a separate building.
• These articulated courtyard buildings are strung
like beads on the bracelet of the Academic Loop
• This promotes connection between
interdisciplinary exchange.
CONNECTIVITY, WAY FINDING & PEDESTRIAN FREINDLINESS

• Addresses a range of scales and needs, from individual buildings

to its urban-scale master plan.
• A series of concentric rings that organize the campus (physically
and conceptually)
• The Academic Loop, the Water Loop, and the Living Loop.
• Each major - Medicine, Biology, Sciences, and Computer
Sciences - is in a separate building.
• These articulated courtyard buildings are strung like beads on
the bracelet of the Academic Loop
• This promotes connection between interdisciplinary exchange.
• 12 bridges connect the academic loop to the outer areas which
has vehicular as well as pedestrian paths Presence of waterbody around the core
This shapes the core area
Academic buildings
Residential buildings
Inner core
Outer core
Circulation and access
around outer core
Vehicular circulation (red) and 12 bridges (violet) Separate pedestrian pathways
Vehicular circulation
Bridges connecting core to the
residential area
Separate pedestrian pathways
VISUAL FORM & MATERIAL CONCEPT

• Campus addresses a range of scales and needs

• Concentric rings- inner and outer core
• Each major is housed in a separate building.
• Staggered rectangular glass volumes with stone
frames
• Uniquely detailed with colorful accents and custom
mullion patterns
• The courtyard buildings are like beads on the circular
ring
• Dynamic, double-height space with panoramic vistas
• Circular form contains communal spaces, meeting
spaces, seminar rooms, and laboratories
• Center of the loop -University’s central park- garden
for retreat, contemplation, and socialization.
BUILT/ OPEN SPACES

• There’s plenty of open spaces (unbuilt)

in the campus.
• There is a water body around the outer
core
• 12 bridges from different sides
• Landscape areas is also in plenty
• Landscapes are designed such that it
can be accessible for gatherings