VJAA

Status: 2019 Design Competition (2nd Place)
Location: Middle East
Size: 170,000 sf

This competition entry for a prominent university in the Middle East mediates between its urban context, adjacent modern university buildings and the nearby historic campus. The building mass is held back from the historic buildings to affiliate with the surrounding city and campus edge, while establishing a lower scale relationship along the campus path. The narrower footprint of the tower allows for a multi-level garden space, enhances the visibility of the façade of the adjacent campus buildings, and brings visible green spaces to the public street. By designing the Faculty of Arts and Sciences building as a series of connected indoor and outdoor elements, a wide range of informal gathering spaces can be developed that also benefit from the spectacular views of the campus and sea. The corollary to the modern ambition for “seeing out” is “seeing in.” Positioned as it is, drawn back from the flanking historic buildings, the new FAS building opens itself to the campus through the glazed north-facing wall while respectfully framing the original campus through this contrast.