Humanities & Social Sciences Building Cluster 1 in Zijingang Campus of Zhejiang University

I. Project overview The project is located in the south of the west zone of Zijingang Campus of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. It has a gross floor area of 119,800 m2, among which the above-ground floor area and underground floor area are respectively 100,000 m2 and 19,800 m2. The highest building of the complex is 54 meters. II. Master plan The buildings are arranged neatly based on axes and the layout is balanced. The ancient book library is located at the middle, with the School of Humanities, the College of Media and the School of Marxism on its east side, the School of Economics, the College of Education and the School of Public Affairs on the west side. Besides, the two buildings of Humanity Creativity Center are respectively set on the right and left ends of the plot. III. Design features 1. Academic spaces in line with the spirit of the era Courtyards are taken as the main body of the space, and the walls feature various forms, which are either separated from, reversed or connected to architectural volumes. The inner spaces are released while the outer spaces are set with boundaries, forming an isomorphic and homotopic spatial relationship. The design transcends the logic of topology to create an academic space in line with the spirit of the era. 2. Red walls and grey tiles manifesting humanity Red bricks walls can be almost seen in every campus of Zhejiang University and have become one of its characteristics. As conceiving this building cluster, the designers utilized red bricks to set the overall tone, complemented by gray metal sloping roofs and overhangs as well as glass curtain walls featuring patterns. In this way, the buildings draw on traditional elements while also showcasing a contemporary flavour. 3. Echo the surrounding lake and embrace four seasons The architectural design responded to the natural surroundings, include the lake. The outer buildings are higher than the inner ones, and the distance between buildings are different. Each building has its unique image: the School of Humanities is quaint and plain; the College of Media is modern and open; the School of Economics is logical and practical; the College of Education is rigorous and pure; the School of Public Affairs is simple yet magnificent; the Humanity Creativity Center embraces the spring flower, summer rain, autumn moon and winter snow. 4. Architectures perfectly combined with art The project draw on one of the most distinctive and humanistic feature of Chinese architectures: the integration of space and words. Short wall piers orderly arranged at red brick passages were designed for hanging couplets. The gateways one after another are available for hanging plaques. The buildings are waiting for teachers and students to come, and the courtyards are waiting to be named. Large areas of red brick walls are "blank", leaving space for adding words or poems.