University

Transparency and Flexibility: The New Face of HEC Liège – The University of Liège has recently opened its new office and teaching building aimed at centralizing the activities of the Haute École de Commerce (HEC) at the Louvrex site. This ambitious architectural project, located in a dense yet green neighborhood, meets functional and aesthetic requirements while respecting the existing urban heritage.

Located in the Alto da Boa Vista region, the new headquarters for Pedagogy and Psychology at the Rudolf Steiner College was designed by the Biselli Katchborian office, owned by partners Mario Biselli and Artur Katchborian. Selected through a competition organized by the institution itself, the project was inspired by the holistic values of Waldorf pedagogy and its relationship with nature.

This college for women, by Neogenesis+Studi0261, located at Unn area in Surat, has been designed on the hunch that institutes should stand for itself and become a landmark. Planned as a nursing college to facilitate courses from GNM to MSc (Nursing), the building was meant to be a symbol of the trust’s identity and purpose with a modest working environment.

Implementation of the New Educational System – The first construction section of the China Academy of Art’s (CAA) Liangzhu Campus Phase Ⅰ in Hangzhou was completed in 2022, followed by the second section completed in August 2023, resulting in a fully operational campus with 180,000 sqm of building area. At the onset of the Liangzhu Campus design competition, participating teams were required to conceive an innovative educational system aligned with socioeconomic development. This educational paradigm, proposed by Atelier FCJZ, encompasses several key facets that have been set into motion: 1. embracing hands-on pedagogy; 2. integrating architectural studies into the general education; 3. prioritizing research-led coursework at advanced levels; 4. encouraging students to organize interest clubs; 5. abolishing conventional departmental structure; 6. pioneering the concept of living and learning intertwined, which impacts campus planning directly.

Ágnes Heller considered life and freedom to be the greatest good. Based on the principles of the Hungarian philosopher, vibrant campus life, and generous open spaces are also at the heart of the new university building named after her.