Miralles Tagliabue (EMBT) was recently awarded first prize in the International Competition for the New Campus of Fudan University School of Management in Shanghai, China. Fudan is part of a network of universities and their respective buildings located in Shanghai, Fudan is also a very special and unique university with an extensive history and a very unique character. Besides the main campus, there are two new components. These components are not closely located, they are separate pieces, so in order to establish the connection the buildings must convey the identity of Fudan and contemporary life.
The footprint of the campus will be an essential element in generating an urban mixture. Miralles Tagliabue (EMBT) strongly believe that the central green spine between the blocks of the campus will play a major role in creating the mixture. The existing structure of the area does not have the capacity to generate any public life, the new Fudan campus will create a new core in the new community. The blocks on the western façade side are connected by a public green space. The master plan for this new zone defines the density and heights. The new buildings must have a relationship to the surrounding buildings, the volumes must relate to the urban context, and be adjustable to the different functions. EMBT modified the volumes of the master plan within the given specification to create that mixture. The buildings become part of a network of connections, instead of forming borders.
The public life within the new campus buildings is generated under the roof-structure within the block. The program of the business school is expected to engage about 8,000 people in the complex at peak times. In this aspect the buildings require an easy and clear organization of the complex program. All public activities like Big Auditorium, library, museum, student food core, shops are placed on the first level, second level, and level minus one. All these public levels connect with the campus garden. The main classrooms are on the third and fourth floors. The block on the west side is connected with bridges to establish an easy and continuous circulation route for the students. On top of the classroom and lounge route are located the separate units of administration, incubator, research, conference center, etc. The theater and the museum are on the ground floor of the block on the east, and the alumni club is linked to the museum so that they can share facilities.
BLOCK ON WEST SIDE The block on the east side contains the cultural activities. Museum and theatre are located on groundfloor. Alumni club start on the third level. Alumni club, museum and theatre areas can be connect for shared activities.
BLOCK ON EAST SIDE On the entrance floor, three main entrance gateways provide access to the new Fudan campus. They are the orientation points on the campus, they lead you towards the central green space and they are a reference to the gates of the central Fudan University campus. After passing through the main gates, you reach the access points to the upper levels or you can reach the public program.
VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL TRAFFIC ORGANIZING SCHEME Key Attention is given to the public gathering space of the building. Timber and other material are used to give a confortable and welcoming feeling. The central Boulevard is more urban and has big trees and water features. The internal zone introduces vegetation in between the building and mixes the interior.
Architect: Benedetta Tagliabue (Miralles Tagliabue EMBT) Location: Shanghai, China Architect: Benedetta Tagliabue (Miralles Tagliabue EMBT) Project directors: Joan Callís (Miralles Tagliabue EMBT) Karl Unglaub, Salvador Gilabert, Dani Rosselló, Igor Peraza Collaborators: Stefan Geenen, Valentina Nicol Noris, Verena Vogler, Maria Francesca Origa, Gabriele Rotelli, William George Mathers, Giulia Altarelli, Felipe Pecegueiro Do A. Curado, Mar Flores, Suhash Patel, Roberto Palau Tamez, Diana Rizzoli, Heather Mc Vicor, Lorenzo Magno, Ana Catalina Villareal Yarto, Michael Zaccaria, Frederik Hesseldahl, Lynda Zein, Silvia Rio, Martina Pusceddu, Erica Lago, Martin Geyer, Ana Isabel Mireles Gonzalez, Beatriz Cabanillas EMBT China: Qiwei Hu, Chen Hao Structural Engineer: MC2 – Julio Martínez Calzón Consultancy for Building Energy Systems Analysis and Design: Prof. Brian Cody
