In a momentous occasion marked by a convergence of distinguished figures from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and prominent government officials, as well as representatives from KPF’s local offices, the much-anticipated inauguration of the new Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s campus in Nansha, Guangzhou (GZ) was celebrated. This monumental event saw the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the commencement of a new chapter for the esteemed institution.
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The focal point of this event was the seamless fusion of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s ambitious academic and research pursuits with the innate splendor of the campus’s surroundings in the burgeoning innovation district of Nansha, Guangzhou. Beyond its aesthetics, the campus was committed to environmental sustainability, bearing the mantle of carbon neutrality readiness and zero water waste.
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Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s Design Concept
Speaking with an air of accomplishment, Jill Lerner, Principal at KPF, articulated the culmination of a rigorous two-year collaboration between KPF and HKUST’s senior leadership and faculty. This intensive effort encompassed programmatic planning, innovative design, and an unwavering dedication to crafting a state-of-the-art research campus for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (GZ). Lerner highlighted that within its seven distinct districts, the campus was carefully conceived to offer an unparalleled experience to students and faculty, catering to their needs for teaching, research, dwelling, athletics, leisure, and social interaction.
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The architectural blueprint of the new campus etched a distinctive identity for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (GZ). Its inaugural phase spanned an expansive 6 million square feet (about 550,000 square meters), an expansive expanse accommodating over 4,000 graduate students and 400 faculty members. However, this was only the genesis, as the campus was primed to evolve into a vibrant hub catering to more than 10,000 students and faculty.
The larger vision aimed to foster a dynamic mixed-use community, seamlessly integrating learning spaces with residential quarters, retail spaces, student programs, administrative offices, incubator spaces, and sports facilities. This holistic design saw the campus organized into distinct neighborhoods, with architectural nuances that carved out unique environments.
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A remarkable feat indeed, James von Klemperer, KPF President, underlined the unwavering determination exhibited by his team navigating through the challenges posed by the pandemic. Spanning across KPF offices in New York, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, the collective endeavor was a testament to the institution’s resolve to create an internationally esteemed scientific learning and research center. The architectural pursuit rested on a delicate balance of functionality, efficiency, and aesthetic allure, harmoniously blending the natural landscape with built spaces to kindle an environment conducive to scientific innovation.
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The crowning jewel of the campus emerged as a central space meticulously designed to facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations, nurturing a sense of community. This hub of teaching and learning was the heartbeat of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, around which the diverse facets of the campus converged. Interconnected by shaded arcades, eight research and lab buildings defined the primary urban space, serving as a nexus for growth along cardinal axes, seamlessly linking diverse campus functions and creating gateways to the city and the river.
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The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology embraced a “project-based learning” model in a bold departure from conventional academic frameworks rooted in traditional disciplines. This approach championed multi-disciplinary synergies, cultivating a dynamic atmosphere that thrived on interactions across four pivotal “Hubs” – Function, System, Information & Society. Augmenting these hubs were “Research Thrusts,” flexible foundations that adapt over time. To weave learning into the campus fabric, a spectrum of learning spaces, from seminar rooms to expansive lecture halls, were seamlessly intertwined with research facilities.
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Distinguished not just by its academic prowess, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology stood as a paragon of sustainable development in China, demonstrating a remarkable 54% reduction in carbon emissions from its inception. The institution held an ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality before 2060, an unwavering commitment mirrored in its comprehensive environmental and resilient design measures.
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These measures were meticulously tailored to align with Guangzhou’s tropical climate, addressing the region’s flooding, seismic, and climate change vulnerabilities. Anchored by Zero Impact, Resilience, Futureproofing, Social well-being, Regenerative Systems, and Living Lab principles, the campus master plan embraced five key domains – Energy, Water, Resources, Mobility, and Comfort, each adorned with precise targets.
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Perched at the heart of the developing innovation district in Nansha, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s campus held sway as a pivotal force in a dynamic ecosystem straddling the realms of Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Capitalizing on its strategic proximity to Shenzhen, China’s revered Silicon Valley, the campus stood poised to infuse innovation across the Greater Bay Area. The seamless connectivity facilitated by a high-speed rail line further extended the influence of the university, fostering collaboration between its two campuses and enhancing the cross-pollination of ideas.
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This architectural marvel, a product of the collaborative spirit spanning KPF offices in New York, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore, was made possible by a consortium of over 70 architects and planners. Their synergy, combined with the expertise of consulting firms such as Ayers Saint Gross, Jacobs, ARUP, James Corner Field Operations, and MVA, resulted in the successful realization of this ambitious project. The master plan, a testament to expeditious execution, emerged between July 2019 and January 2020, with a preferred scheme chosen barely two months after the inception of the design team, culminating in the site groundbreaking in September 2019.
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With its unveiling, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s campus now adorned KPF’s rich portfolio of transformative research, innovation, and academic spaces scattered across the global landscape. Noteworthy additions include the CUNY Advanced Science Research Centers in New York City, the University of Michigan’s Detroit Center for Innovation, and NYU’s trailblazing Qiantan campus in Shanghai.
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