Today, the National Technological University (NTU) of Singapore unveiled their new Learning Hub, which is part of a grand plan setting the institution back a cool £360 million.
It's designed by renowned London architect Thomas Heatherwick, whose portfolio is the kind that might get its own exhibit in the ArtScience Museum.
His latest project, a collab with local partners CPG Consultants, looks like woven baskets typically used to steam and serve Chinese dumplings (or dim sum), but is actually an excellent execution of an "unconventional" brief provided by the university.
NTU wanted a place that would continue to inspire students living in a trend and tech-driven world. The approach of Heatherwick Studio then was to "redefine the aspiration of a university building, and to once again make it an essential part of the tertiary education experience", according to their website.
The product is an eight-storey building made up of 56 rough-hewn modular pods, most of which contain classrooms equipped with curved, electronic whiteboards, wireless communication tools and other "smart" gadgets. Garden spaces occupy the upper floors.
Heatherwick does away with typical "sterile" corridors, choosing instead to let each classroom open up to an internal, naturally ventilated atrium looking up to a skylight.
The Learning Hub, which cost $45 million to make, will open in August this year.
Photo: Hufton + Crow
Today, the National Technological University (NTU) of Singapore unveiled their new Learning Hub, which is part of a grand plan setting the institution back a cool £360 million.
It's designed by renowned London architect Thomas Heatherwick, whose portfolio is the kind that might get its own exhibit in the ArtScience Museum.
His latest project, a collab with local partners CPG Consultants, looks like woven baskets typically used to steam and serve Chinese dumplings (or dim sum), but is actually an excellent execution of an "unconventional" brief provided by the university.
NTU wanted a place that would continue to inspire students living in a trend and tech-driven world. The approach of Heatherwick Studio then was to "redefine the aspiration of a university building, and to once again make it an essential part of the tertiary education experience", according to their website.
The product is an eight-storey building made up of 56 rough-hewn modular pods, most of which contain classrooms equipped with curved, electronic whiteboards, wireless communication tools and other "smart" gadgets. Garden spaces occupy the upper floors.
Heatherwick does away with typical "sterile" corridors, choosing instead to let each classroom open up to an internal, naturally ventilated atrium looking up to a skylight.
The Learning Hub, which cost $45 million to make, will open in August this year.
Photo: Hufton + Crow