West Lake University, a world-class research institution, features a campus designed by HENN Haiyin Architecture and is now partially completed. The campus encompasses a variety of facilities including art and academic buildings, laboratories, offices, sports amenities, shops, restaurants, and housing for students and faculty from around the globe.
The design of West Lake University by HENN Haiyin Architecture operates on multiple scales, addressing both individual building requirements and the broader urban context. The new campus is structured around a series of concentric rings—academic, water, and living—which form the foundation of the campus’s physical and conceptual layout.
Separate suspended buildings in the air will house disciplines such as medicine, biology, science, and computer science. These structures feature interlocking giant glass blocks and stone frames, with each building boasting distinctive details, vibrant decorations, and custom vertical design patterns. Together, these interconnected courtyard-style buildings resemble pearls and jade, forming an academic ring that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration.
The academic environment serves as the dense intellectual and social core of West Lake University. Elevated and dynamic spaces provide a clear landscape framework connecting buildings, while public areas, conference rooms, seminar halls, and laboratories foster community engagement. At the heart of this environment lies the serene Central Park, a space for reflection, contemplation, and social interaction.
The tranquil water ring is a circular roadway bridged by 12 pedestrian and vehicular lanes that encircle the main campus. This “Water Ring” acts like spokes on a wheel, connecting the campus with its surrounding lush living environment. The residential area includes independent housing for students and faculty, while its outer perimeter features shops, restaurants, and sports facilities—gradually integrating West Lake University into the vibrant urban fabric.
Project Drawings
△ Master Layout Plan
△ Floor Plan
△ Functional Diagram
△ Functional Zoning
Project Information
Architectural Design: HENN
Area: 920,000 m²
Project Year: 2021
Responsible Partner: Martin Henn
Project Manager: Hans Funk
Design Director: Leander Adrian
Design Team: Mostafa Seleem, Tongtong Gong, Jingyi Zhou, Yaxi Yang, Clemens Schiffer, Yuchen Wang, Lingyue Zeng, Rachna Hiteshbhai Kothari, Janine Parvis, Kathrin Stamm, Phyllis Buschmeyer, Kathrin Schiffelholz, Katrin Jacobs, Sahra Gehrke, Anna Cwik, Tiffany Taraska, Ayk Martirosyan, Tu Ba Hoang Ly, Nemanja Crnobrnja, Fredrik Werner, Oliver Franke, Peter Lee, Denise Gellinger, Andre Serpa, Jovan Topalovic, Ibrahim Saad, Attila Horvath
Client: Westlake Institute for Advanced Study
Landscape Consultant: WES Landscape Architecture Design
Collaborative Design Institute: Zhejiang University Architectural Design Co., Ltd
Lighting Design: RDI Rui International Lighting Design
Main Contractor: Shanghai Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd
Location: Hangzhou, China
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