△ Overall night view of Phase I campus © Li Yi
West Lake University (Yungu Campus) is situated in Xihu District, Hangzhou City, covering approximately 1350 acres with a planned total construction area of 913,000 square meters. The campus layout centers on teaching and research zones, with the front area, residential quarters, and sports facilities arranged in concentric circles around the perimeter. This design harmoniously integrates the natural, academic, and living environments through a circular water system. The campus was planned as a single project and developed in two phases.
Bird’s-eye view of the campus main axis © Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute
The first phase spans 634 acres with a total construction area of 456,000 square meters. It includes an academic research island, a front campus area cluster, residential clusters for faculty and students, and lecture and professor apartments.
△ Aerial view of the main axis in Phase I © Zhao Qiang
Despite the project’s scale and complexity, Phase I of West Lake University (Yungu Campus) was designed, built, and opened in just over four years, including two years during the pandemic. Zhejiang University’s Architectural Design and Research Institute led the full-process design, innovating in high-standard design, quality construction, and efficient operation and maintenance.
Romantic Ecological Water Environment
The campus design incorporates abundant on-site water resources, optimizing boundaries to create a romantic circular water ring approximately 600 meters in diameter. This ring naturally divides the campus into two functional zones: the central academic research island and the surrounding service and residential areas.
The circular water system acts as a multifunctional landscape belt, featuring public platforms, landscaping, and communication spaces on both sides. Serving as the main axis, it connects all functional units and major teaching and research buildings, becoming the hub of campus vitality. Additionally, this water ring helps buffer vibrations from external road traffic, protecting the high-precision experimental platforms on the academic island.
Overall aerial view of the Academic Research Island © Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute
Phase I of the academic research island centers around the Academic Hall, with the Experimental Animal Center, Basic Medicine Building, Life Science Building, Science Building, and Engineering Building arranged counterclockwise around it. Phase II will add the Research Center, Teaching Center, and Library Center, completing the academic island.
△ Core Research Island Model © Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute
The water ring preserves the original flow direction of the site’s water system, converting the irregular water features into a complete circular system by optimizing and adjusting the shoreline. Water quality management follows a comprehensive approach combining “water cycle system construction” and “ecological restoration,” ensuring water clarity, enhancing biodiversity, and serving as a sponge city facility for water regulation and storage, thus creating a green and sustainable campus aquatic environment.
Academic Hall and surrounding academic environment © Zhao Qiang
△ Waterside platform and academic cluster © Zhao Qiang
△ View from the water ring toward the academic cluster at the core © Li Yi
Romantic water features and academic architecture cluster © Li Yi
Comprehensive Academic Complex
The core academic cluster is the largest single research building complex in Chinese universities, designed to accommodate 300 distinct research disciplines and four major public experimental platforms. The designers engaged directly with principal investigators (PIs) to ensure the facilities meet experimental research requirements upon completion.
△ Aerial view of the core academic cluster © Li Yi
The four academic colleges’ floor plans balance PIs’ personalized needs with future laboratory flexibility. The design uses a 10.8 by 9.6-meter column grid, with ceiling heights of 7.2 meters on the ground floor and 5.2 meters on floors two through four, accommodating diverse lab and office sizes. Modular designs for equipment wells, transportation, and restrooms enhance adaptability. The roof design conceals various sized equipment, creating a seamless fifth façade effect.
△ Aerial view of the academic cluster in the core area © Zhao Qiang
The approximately 500-meter-long circular public platform connects all four colleges with an open, four-story high space. Special fire safety measures allow this extensive informal learning and exchange area to remain free of fireproof rolling shutters, preserving spatial openness.
Central garden and academic environment © Li Yi
Academic environment and auditorium at night © Zhao Qiang
△ Academic Entrance Hall © Zhao Qiang
△ Shared spaces in the academic cluster © Zhao Qiang
Campus Image with High Aesthetic Standards
The campus colors reflect the Jiangnan region’s character in Hangzhou, featuring a gray-white primary palette. Accents vary by function and area to enhance building recognition. The building volumes and functions align with West Lake University’s identity as a small, refined, world-class research university. The core academic cluster employs serrated UHPC high-strength concrete panels combined with glass and aluminum, conveying a modern, open, yet dignified research atmosphere.
Main campus axis facing the academic cluster © Li Yi
△ Academic cluster square at night © Li Yi
△ Basic Medical and Life Science Buildings © Li Yi
Partial view of the Life Science Building © Zhao Qiang
△ UHPC high-strength concrete panels © Li Yi
The Academic Hall features 60 evenly spaced, water droplet-shaped enamel steel columns, each rotated uniformly to create a dynamic yet classically rhythmic atmosphere. The hall accommodates 1,200 seats and supports a variety of activities.
A solemn and elegant Academic Hall © Zhao Qiang
△ Rhythmic teardrop-shaped colonnade © Zhao Qiang
Academic Hall entrance and column gallery © Zhao Qiang
The main entrance gate, academic exchange center, administrative center, and faculty-student service center in the front campus cluster utilize smooth white hemp stone, matching the UHPC panels in the core academic area. Residential buildings in the living cluster feature gray-white inorganic decorative mortar. These material choices effectively manage costs while providing a varied and cohesive campus aesthetic.
△ South Gate of Campus Main Entrance © Li Yi
Buildings flanking the water ring © Li Yi
Comprehensive BIM Technology Implementation
To manage the campus’s vast scale and complex spatial requirements, BIM technology was applied throughout the design, construction, and operation phases, ensuring high-quality outcomes. During design, a fully collaborative platform refined pipeline layouts and specialized spatial nodes. Construction involved multiple rehearsals to boost efficiency and minimize errors. Post-construction, BIM information systems support equipment maintenance and spatial management.
△ Integrated design analysis © Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute
Sustainable Green Campus
Rooted in water and harmony, West Lake University is the first campus in Zhejiang Province to achieve a three-star green building standard. The integrated design ensures every building component relates closely to the environment. The comprehensive facade system provides protection, shading, and energy conservation, reducing energy consumption. The HVAC system precisely controls temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and airflow to meet diverse laboratory requirements, ensuring experimental safety and environmental quality. The campus has successfully earned three-star green building design certification.
△ Continuous horizontal sunshade on the academic ring © Zhao Qiang
△ Partial night view of academic ring © Zhao Qiang
△ Water ring forming a unique research island © Zhao Qiang
△ Cafeteria and green slope by the water © Zhao Qiang
An Inclusive and Accessible Campus
The Yungu Campus aims to be a warm and accessible university for all ages. Intelligent signage and service facilities help faculty and students efficiently navigate to labs and classrooms. The flat road system allows safe, enjoyable movement across forests and lanes. With guidance from the China Disabled Persons’ Federation and comprehensive design exceeding standards, West Lake University is the first demonstration university for accessibility in Zhejiang Province. It was recognized as a top ten exemplary case in accessible facility design in China and praised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.
A tranquil academic hall © Li Yi
Beautiful research working environment © Zhao Qiang
Phase I of the West Lake University (Yungu Campus) project began in May 2017, with construction starting in April 2018 and completion by the end of 2021. Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute assembled a strong team led by chief architects and engineers across disciplines, systematically resolving specialized technical challenges. With nearly 200 team members collaborating alongside construction teams, users, and partners, they tirelessly advanced this extraordinary campus. Since opening, the campus has attracted widespread attention, showcasing the distinct vision and innovative spirit of this small, high-caliber private research university.
△ Project video © Li Yi
Project Drawings
△ General layout plan © Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute
△ Basement plan of core area cluster © Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute
△ First floor plan of core area cluster © Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute
△ Second floor plan of core area cluster © Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute
△ Third floor plan of core area cluster © Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute
△ Fourth floor plan of core area cluster © Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute
△ Roof equipment layer plan of core area cluster © Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute
Project Information
Project Name: West Lake University (Yungu Campus) Phase I
Developer: Hangzhou Promotion West Lake University Project Construction Command Center
User: West Lake University
Location: Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
Land Area: 422,449 square meters
Building Area: 456,501.2 square meters
Design Institute: Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute
Concept Design: HENN Haiyin Architecture
Design Start Date: May 22, 2017
Completion Date: December 28, 2021
Photographers: Zhao Qiang, Li Yi
Design Directors: Dong Danshen, Li Bing
Project Leaders: Chen Yu, Fan Xuzhuang, Kuang Yang
Architecture Team: Dong Danshen, Li Bing, Chen Yu, Fan Xuzhuang, Kuang Yang, Ye Changqing, Hu Huifeng, Zhang Yuansheng, Zhu Kai, Chen Bing, Xu Xinhua, Yu Haitao, Peng Rongbin, Wang Hao, Wu Yun, Wu Songlin, Xu Gaoting, Jiang Shengtao, Xu Sun, Liu Qing, Huang Weiwei, Zhang Ziquan, Huang Diqi, Ma Bo, Wang Yuxuan, Liu Jianing, Li Li, Zhang Danfeng, Yu Zhaobing
Structural Engineering: Xiao Zhibin, Shen Jin, Qian Lei, Wang Jun, Cheng Ke, Li Li, Wang Chengzhi, Xie Liao, Pan Qingxiang, Wei Jieqiang, Kong Huawei, Zhang Jie, Zheng Xiaoqing, Ling Jiayan, Chen Xiaodong, Dong Kai, Jiang Xiao, Li Shaohua, Ding Lei, Kong Xiangdi
Water Supply and Drainage: Chen Ji, Yi Jiasong, Yong Xiaolong, Chen Fei, Zhao Jieqin, Xi Bin, Fu Jialin, Wang Jinghua, Wang Xiaohong, Fang Huoming, Lin Lujia
Electrical Engineering: Zheng Guoxing, Feng Baile, Li Ping, Wei Qiang, Ding Li, Yang Kai, Fan Hongjian, Zhang Wei, Wang Bin, Deng Zhouning, Zhang Lingyan
HVAC: Yu Linli, Guo Yinan, Qiu Yu, Wang Yalin, Ma Yanbin, Sun Yihao, Ren Xiaodong
Interior Design: Li Jingyuan, Fang Yin, Chen Yuxiong, Liu Beilei, Tian Ning, Zhang Ci, Lu Xiaoling, Wang Guancui, Chu Ran, Liu Xinyun, Jia Ru, Kong Xiang, Yu Zhixiang, Huang Lixuan, Lin Yunhui, Huang Jianghui, Sun Jun, Lu Hongying, Tian Fengchang, Li Ning
Curtain Wall Design: Bai Qi’an, Yang Dongyan, Xiang Chun, Hang Fei, Chen Dong, Yu Ping, Dou Lisha, Zhang Nan, Jiang Qianyang, Jiang Qi, Ge Minxia, Cao Dongqiu, Zhang Moran, Tao Shanjun
Intelligent Systems: Yang Guozhong, Li Xiangqun, Chen Jia, Lin Hua, Ye Agile, Ni Gaojun, Hou Yujie, Yuan Xiaonan, Wang Lei
Landscape Architecture: Xia Jiming, Lin Jianhai, Gao Hei, Zhu Jing, Wu Jina, Zhang Beibei, Li Wenjiang, Xu Hui, Li Shishi, Sheng Chaoyun, Shu Hong, Zhang Fei, Huang Jingyi, Tang Dandan, Shen Haitao, Zhang Li, Fang Junjie, Ying Qiao
Municipal Engineering: Lou Danyang, Yang Huazhan, Jia Shengqiang, Lan Wenwen, Shao Kaikai, Sun Liangfeng, Zhu Min, Zhou Hua, Sun Zhe, Wang Heyang
Excavation and Maintenance: Chen Yun, Chen Gang, Zhu Jiancai, Xin Lei, Gu Jiacheng, Chen Gang, Zhan Hong, Pang Jie, Xu Quanbiao, Zhou Qunjian
Civil Air Defense: Wang Shubin, Jin Jieke, Dong Jie, Hu Yijia, Huang Danli, Zhou Saihua
Stage Design: Chi Wangang, Chen Yong, Chi Jiabei
Construction Economy: Sun Wentong, Zhang Ying, Meng Ruitan, Shuai Chaohui, Xun Xianbo, Wu Jiali, Zhou Yongjie
Flood Lighting: Wang Xiaodong, Song Luoying, Huang Xiaodong
Collaborative Design Partners:
Landscape Design: WES Landscape Architecture Design (Shanghai) Co., Ltd
Flood Lighting Design: RDI Rui International Lighting Design Co., Ltd
Academic Environment Laboratory Process Design: Shenzhen Oracle Smart Laboratory Construction Co., Ltd
Special Gas Pipeline Design: Shanghai Huchen Automation System Engineering Co., Ltd
Reagent Library and Special Gas Room Design: Zhejiang Tianzheng Design Engineering Co., Ltd
Animal Experiment Center Process Design: Shanghai Kaichun Clean Room Technology Engineering Co., Ltd
Micro Nano Laboratory Process Design: Information Industry Eleventh Design and Research Institute Technology Engineering Co., Ltd
BIM Design: Desert Data Technology (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd
Accessibility Consulting: Tsinghua University Institute for Accessibility Development
Bridge Design: Shanghai Municipal Planning and Design Institute
River Water Purification Design: Hangzhou Lvyi Environmental Technology Co., Ltd
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