On the eastern edge of Shenzhen, a new university campus designed by Foster + Partners just opened. The China Resources University, a 55,000 sq. meter project, is part of a larger mixed-used development headed by the London-headquartered firm.
According the press release, the campus sits on a hill with sweeping views of the South China Sea. Five teaching buildings and an “innovation centre” line a central boulevard leading to a main auditorium building that contains a large lecture hall. The campus also includes a library, more auditoria, a bar, gym, and student residences.
“The idea was to create a cascading complex of buildings and spaces - a series of teaching and living spaces, terraces and informal streets that encourage interaction and a sense of wellbeing,” states Chris Bubb, a partner at Foster + Partners.
The buildings share a palette of materials: fair-faced concrete, bronze-colored cladding, and clay brick. The clay bricks are one of the signature design elements of the project. Nearly a half-meter long, the bricks were designed specially for the project and were manufactured in local factoring. Using locally-available earth with a high clay content, each brick was hand-pressed to give them a rough texture. Varying baking temperatures give the bricks slight variations in color. The bricks reference a local Shenzhen vernacular building style.
“The brick is the basic building block from which the building derives its character. We worked very hard to refine its size and proportions, even sourcing the earth from the region to ensure the building is of its place,” Bubb says.
Check out more images in the gallery below. And for more from Foster + Partners, follow these links:
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