This project is for a new university in Suzhou, a city of 4.3 million people located 60 miles northwest of Shanghai. It lies at the heart of China’s historic silk region and is often dubbed ‘The Venice of the East’ for its abundance of lakes and canals. The new university’s purpose is to strengthen East-West cultural and educational exchange.

The proposal endeavours to blend the new campus with the ecological diversity of its location in a natural setting on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by waterways. The buildings will filter air and water and provide habitats throughout the site for flora and fauna with mollusc and insect hotels.