Editor’s note: Recently, the School of Architecture curated and highlighted twelve outstanding university campus buildings. These will be featured on the School of Architecture website this week, aiming to offer readers a structured learning opportunity.
This feature presents the master plan of ShanghaiTech University. Established in 2013, the university boasts a modern campus that blends academic and lifestyle elements within the high-tech zone.
Topic link: Topic Academy · 52nd Collection of Domestic University Architecture
Located in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong, Shanghai, ShanghaiTech University enjoys a prime location near Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The new campus symbolizes the rapid growth of the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ high-tech park, striving to create an innovative, memorable, and human-centered environment for learning and research.
The new campus serves as a dynamic hub for students, faculty, administrative staff, businesses, and research leaders, enriching the overall campus experience and fostering collaborative entrepreneurship.
While universities are mainly recognized for their academic excellence, the quality of their facilities significantly enhances the experience for faculty, students, researchers, and visitors. The use of high-quality materials and thoughtfully designed spatial forms creates memorable architectural and landscape environments.
University campuses worldwide are celebrated for their distinctive qualities, often stemming from rich landscapes and the use of local materials. The focus is not on a particular style, but on consistent application of materials, patterns, textures, and colors to offer flexibility and cohesion across structures of varying scales, styles, and functions.
As an award-winning entry in an international design competition, this newly crafted campus master plan is distinguished by world-class research facilities unique within Shanghai. Each element of the campus is meticulously designed to support and enhance academic centers.
A contemporary crescent-shaped layout connects the administrative building, teaching areas, and library via a large lawn on the campus’s south side, creating a welcoming entrance. This lawn extends northward along three axes, forming distinct garden landscapes: pastoral, formal academic, and vibrant urban. These linear green spaces are unified by a primary north-south pedestrian walkway that links the campus’s three main zones.
△ Site planning map
The exhibition hall features a curved glass corridor that intersects with green spaces, linking various campus areas. It extends from the eastern residential village to the four colleges and major entrepreneurial incubation parks, providing versatile use.
The campus’s main components include a fifth college, leisure facilities, a student center, faculty dormitories, a multifunctional conference hall, and a reception center.
Embracing sustainable design principles, the campus master plan promotes innovation and cutting-edge technology, fostering spaces that encourage connectivity and interaction. The project continuously advances high-performance and sustainable design strategies, focusing on innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact related to carbon emissions, energy consumption, water use, and waste.
The campus’s low service level significantly reduces ground transportation needs. An interconnected drainage system supports campus water management while creating a unique environment. Combined with various passive and active energy generation and conservation measures, ShanghaiTech aspires to be a leading example of sustainable energy practices in China.
Project Information
Architect: Moore Ruble Yudell
Area: 830,268 m²
Project Year: 2015
Photographer: Colin Lozada
Local Architectural Firms: East China Architectural Design and Research Institute (ECADI), Tongji University Architectural Design and Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design and Research Institute (Group) Co., Ltd. (SMEDI)
Structural Engineering: ECADI East China Architectural Design and Research Institute
Civil Engineering: ECADI East China Architectural Design and Research Institute
M/E/P Engineer: ECADI East China Architectural Design and Research Institute
Master Planner and Building Design Architect: Moore Ruble Yudell Architects and Planners
Interior Construction: Shanghai Modern Architectural Design (Group) Co., Ltd
Landscape Design: Olin (competition phase), Design Land Collaborative
Lighting Design: Lighting Design Alliance
General Contractor: Shanghai Construction Group (SCG)
Acoustic Consultant: Schaffer Acoustics
Library Solution Consultant: Brightspot Strategy
Rendering Production: Shimahara Illustrator
City: Shanghai
Country: China
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