The new university campus of Suzhou is located on Sangtian Island. This design for the landscape of the Science and Liberal Arts University in Suzhou has the concept of a compact built campus in a green environment. The core has a high density, while in the circle around the core public buildings are loosely spread in the park. The design takes the microchip as an inspiration; the path structure has the shape of a microchip.
The urban plan is based on 8 urban blocks with gardens and courtyards inside. Two main roads run centrally through the blocks from north to south and from east to west, connecting all the blocks. Two canals running through make a direct connection to the water of the surrounding park. The public space in between the blocks is car-free. Parking is situated under the buildings. Parking for visitors is situated in the first ring around the buildings.
The educational buildings are all located in the outer 4 blocks. Here the urban layout is most spacious and buildings least high. The inner 4 blocks accommodate all residential buildings, research buildings and cultural program and public services like bus station, sport hall, library, theatre, congress center and shops and restaurants. All cultural program and public services are located in the very center around the crossing of the two main roads. Urban layout here is more dense and buildings are higher. The outer 4 blocks are connected with the surrounding park through long, wide green spaces which are designed for interaction and recreation during school hours. The inner 4 blocks are connected with each other through open squares, facilitating recreation and interaction connected to the cultural program and public services. Numerous paths running through interconnect the courtyards, squares, green spaces and surrounding park, enabling efficient and pleasant pedestrian and bicycle transportation and recreation.
location: Suzhou, China
year of design: 2011
in cooperation with: Niek Roozen bv, NITA Nanjing
client: Niek Roozen bv, City of Suzhou