HKUST(GZ) Campus Project Has Won Numerous Awards!

On July 8th, the 9th CREDAWARD (China Real Estate Design Award) was held in Shanghai. The competition saw participation from 309 institutions across 17 countries and regions, with 853 entries submitted. HKUST(GZ) campus project, which was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), was awarded the Gold Award in the "Social Public Project – Cultural & Education" category of the CREDAWARD.

Dr. Bin LI, the Special Assistant to the President and Director of Office of the President of HKUST(GZ), accepted the award on behalf of the university. He expressed that winning the gold award was a huge affirmation and encouragement for HKUST(GZ). Dr. Bin LI mentioned that the successful implementation of the innovative design concept could not have been achieved without the efforts of all parties involved. KPF created a brand new green research and educational scene for the university, and various levels of government, including Guangzhou and Nansha District, have provided strong support in terms of construction land, funding, and project management. All units and staffs involved in the campus construction project have made great efforts. The first phase of HKUST (GZ) campus welcomed its first batch of teachers and students last year, while the second phase of the campus is currently under construction. The second phase of the campus is expected to be completed and put into use in the fall of 2026.

As a comprehensive design award, the CREDAWARD brings together design talents from various sectors including government agencies, real estate developers, brand owners, platform owners, and top global design institutions. The award aims to promote the development of the industry's ecological chain and drives the improvement of industry design.

In addition, this competition has garnered support from renowned domestic and international academic institutions, such as University College London (UK), Manchester School of Architecture (UK), and Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Spain).

Why was HKUST(GZ) able to stand out in this competition?

The HKUST(GZ) stood out in this competition due to its overall planning and design approach that seamlessly integrates natural landscapes and architecture. The campus design incorporates key advanced technologies in energy conservation and environmental protection, aimed at creating a green, intelligent, and sustainable development new benchmark.

The campus spans across approximately 1,669 acres and is constructed in two phases.  Phase one covers an area of around 716 acres, with a total construction area of approximately 636,000 square meters.  It was officially put into use in September 2022.

The HKUST(GZ) is located in the Qingsheng Hub of Nansha, Guangzhou.

The overall campus planning aims to balance the functional needs of the campus, the natural landscape of the site, and the future urban landscape of the surrounding community.  Upon completion, the campus will accommodate over 10,000 students and faculty members and satisfy a wide range of needs, from teaching and research to athletics and the arts.

The design of the campus draws on successful experiences from top universities worldwide, with all professional facilities gathered around the central area to promote interdisciplinary collaboration, encourage innovation, and create a strong community model.

The heart of the campus is the teaching and learning center, with life, study, and research centering around it.  Eight research and laboratory buildings are connected by a covered strip arcade, forming a magnificent vertical space.  Development links on the east-west and north-south axes expand, with teaching spaces and research environments fully integrated.

The design combines experiences from both educational and research professional design, as well as the concept of a neighborhood community.

Multiple neighborhood spaces with unique features exist on the campus, connecting various functional businesses and providing major passageways to all parts of the campus.

The design embraces the natural environment of the Pearl River, with waterways and canals serving as a highlight.

The campus aims to achieve "zero water waste" by collecting and filtering rainwater for reuse while improving ecological resistance through flood prevention and wetland protection measures.

The university strives to create a "zero-emission" campus, with an intelligent electric transportation network and high-performance building systems for self-supply of renewable energy.  The goal is to reduce carbon emissions by 54% from day one and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

The project utilizes environmentally friendly and flexible design approaches to suit the climate characteristics of Nansha, Guangzhou. Large areas of green space surround the campus center, providing an eco-friendly environment for students and faculty.

Looking towards the future and ecological updates, the campus has purposefully retained undeveloped areas for future expansion.

The primary outdoor collaborative areas are integrated with the buildings themselves, and active and passive thermal comfort strategies have been employed to ensure student and faculty health and happiness. The KPF sustainability design team analyzed multiple building orientation plans to optimize shading and sunlight paths, ensuring natural ventilation and coolness on the main walkways during hot weather.

The design also places special emphasis on creating a "Living Lab" on campus, with the goal of building a campus that is always evolving and never "completed."

Collaborative spaces are encouraged to help users understand their impact on the environment and actively maintain community health and well-being. Students and faculty have the opportunity to experience science in their daily lives.

According to reports, on March 16, 2023, the HKUST(GZ) campus project won the Best Cultural, Sports, and Education Project award at the 2023 MIPIM Awards.

MIPIM is an international real estate exhibition founded in 1991. It recognizes outstanding real estate projects worldwide and is committed to connecting and inspiring the international real estate industry to create more sustainable, livable, and prosperous places for all.