University

In August 2023, Natrium, a 32,000 m² lab and research building on Medicinareberget in central Gothenburg, was completed. One of the main ideas behind the building’s design is to simplify interaction and promote collaboration within and between the Faculty of Science’s various departments. Another idea is that the architecture should interact with the Medicinarelängan, which was designed by Klas Anshelm in the 1950s. In the work with Natrium, we have also focused a lot on creating a flexible research building that responds to the changing needs of the academic labs.

The Learning Factory – a private university for Applied Arts and Design – is located in Bologna, Italy, in a complex along the railway that originally housed the early twentieth-century “Ovidio Vignoni” hand-decorated tile company. The spaces, due to their past use linked to the artisan and production sector in the field of hand-decorated tiles, are characterized by large zones with a marked verticality, which the renovation project has maintained and enhanced. Beneath its ripples, the pitched wooden roof creates a covered square with a program open to the various activities of the university.

Marga Klompé Building, designed by Powerhouse Company, is the first college building in Europe to be entirely constructed from solid wood. The new, nearly energy-neutral complex is situated on a plot of land measuring 33 by 33 meters, within the forested campus of Tilburg University. The building accommodates a foyer, 1 auditorium, 13 lecture halls, and self-study spaces for approximately 1,000 students. Its distinctive architecture pays homage to the monumental Cobbenhagen Building on the campus while also serving as a model for the highly sustainable ambitions of university campuses in Europe.

Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a 3,500-student university in San Diego, California located on a lush coastal campus with landmarks predating the 1800s in the theosophist vernacular. PLNU life is grounded in a strong sense of faith guided by the tenets of personal salvation, a life of service, and the Bible’s primacy. PLNU is also known for its acclaimed science programs and successful medical school placements. Its existing Rohr Science building was 52 years old and the needs of the Chemistry, Biology, Physical, Math, and Computer Science Departments had grown beyond the capacities of that facility.

The new Student Center at Western Michigan University (WMU) is a beacon of inclusion. Located on lands historically occupied by Ojibwe, Odawa and Bodewadmi nations, the building is designed to be a student-centered gathering place that champions belonging and honors the roots of Native American heritage embedded throughout the site.  

Some recognize in its facade the organic shape of a tree, while others, on the contrary, see human figures. Observing the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Mendoza, we can attest that we are in the presence of a building that constitutes a paradigmatic case in the context of the 1960s in Argentina.

Some recognize in its facade the organic shape of a tree, while others, on the contrary, see human figures. Observing the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Mendoza, we can attest that we are in the presence of a building that constitutes a paradigmatic case in the context of the 1960s in Argentina.

Climate-Driven Design
Wenzhou, a city that has a name hinting at a mild climate. This prompted us to imagine a more intimate connection between people and nature, emphasizing more outdoor activities and living specifically. The climatic context became the genesis for conceptualizing the Wenzhou Medical University International Exchange Center. The specific site, embraced by continuous tree canopies, makes a pleasing landscape.

Gaia – Asia’s most expansive wooden edifice – Named after the Greek Earth Goddess, Gaia represents a bold marriage between Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects, and RSP, showcasing excellence in the design of education environments and sustainable architectural expertise. The six-story construction serves as a hub for learning, research, and innovation – a place where NTU students, faculty, and staff connect and collaborate.