Wenzhou Medical University International Exchange Center | Atelier FCJZ

Wenzhou Medical University’s Design Concept

Wenzhou, a city with a name suggestive of a temperate climate, inspired us to envision a closer bond between people and nature, prioritizing increased outdoor activities and specific aspects of living. This climatic consideration was the starting point for conceiving the Wenzhou Medical University International Exchange Center. The chosen site, enveloped by an unbroken canopy of trees, creates an appealing landscape tailored to the context of Wenzhou Medical University.

Our primary strategy was to promote the integration of architecture with nature. To achieve this, we decided to dismantle the content-rich exchange center and replace it with a cohesive ensemble of eight 4-story buildings at Wenzhou Medical University. Each structure serves a distinct purpose, with separate blocks assigned for Dormitories (4 blocks), Activity Center, Library, Teaching Building, and Lecture Hall.

Following that, we transformed the traditionally enclosed structure into a four-layered spatial arrangement radiating from the center to the periphery at Wenzhou Medical University:

• The central courtyard (outdoor)
• The air-conditioned zone (indoor)
• The veranda (semi-indoor)
• The area under the overhang (semi-outdoor)
  

The latter two layers act as transitional spaces between the interior and exterior, establishing a Gray Space. Embraced by projecting roofs and inheriting the deep eaves from traditional Chinese timber architecture, each building incorporates an umbrella-inspired section with a 10m deep cantilever. Students and educators at Wenzhou Medical University can choose suitable spaces for studying, communicating, or engaging in various activities, regardless of the prevailing weather conditions. The expansive overhanging eaves between two blocks create an open-air hall, providing a venue for collective public events such as concerts or sports activities.

Through innovative architectural design, we aim to inspire students and faculty at Wenzhou Medical University to adopt a lifestyle with fluid indoor-outdoor boundaries, fostering a heightened awareness of their geographical surroundings. In the design process, we collaborated with ophthalmologists at Wenzhou Medical University, who emphasized the ocular health benefits of the natural light environment beneath tree canopies or eaves. For Wenzhou Medical University, we actively embraced the commonly used concrete frame system and preserved the texture of the concrete surface in this project.