18th Jun 2014
International team wins competition for Vietnamese-German University
British landscape architecture firm Grant Associates working with Boston architects Machado and Silvetti Associates, Inc. have won an international competition to design the Vietnamese-German University Campus in Binh Duong Province, Vietnam.
This is a unique collaboration between the World Bank, the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training and the German Hessen State Ministry of Science and Art that aims to develop an internationally accredited higher education program for research and advancement for Vietnamese students and to build a campus for the new university.
Machado and Silvetti Associates will be responsible for the delivery of Phase 1, US$121 million of the 50.5 hectare University Campus, whilst Grant Associates will mastermind the landscape strategy. Phase One of the project is due for completion in November 2017.
Grant Associates’ landscape design proposal embraces the concept that a sustainable university campus should be a multi-layered and multifunctional landscape that becomes an active living classroom, as well as a tool for restoring and improving the environment. The landscape strategy establishes an extensive network of gateways, courtyards and green spaces that encourages outdoor learning and social interaction, interlinked by comfortable and engaging shaded routes.
Highlights of the landscape design include:
Native Tropical Woodland Perimeter
The planting of a native tropical woodland perimeter belt provides a strong multifunctional edge to the campus. This brings shade and reduced air temperature; shelter for people and wildlife; a reduction of dust and noise; habitat creation for flora and fauna, as well as attractive shady routes for students to feel more connected to nature.
Sustainable Water Management
A sustainable water management is a central feature of the landscape design. A ‘water treatment train’ of storm water attenuation, cleansing and filtration allows water to be recycled within the site for irrigation and maintenance. It is embedded into the landscape providing attractive water gardens and channels.
Tree Lined Avenues in the University Commons
The core of the campus contains the key university buildings where the landscape approach will be more formal in character. Tree-lined avenues framing large open spaces create a grand setting to the architecture. The spaces are inspired by the urban grain of Ho Chi Mihn District One with large tree-lined avenues and squares. These spaces will remain flexible to provide opportunity for large outdoor performance and events.
Courtyard Gardens
The Courtyard Gardens are designed to be more individual in character, each identifying with the functions of their immediate surrounding buildings. They offer a series of articulated outdoor spaces for quiet seating and small study gatherings. The footpath network will offer a circulation that remains unrestricted yet intimate and sheltered. And a palette of hard and soft materials will be selected to keep these simple and distinctive whilst embracing the lush and sensory characteristic of tropical planting.
Andrew Grant, Director, Grant Associates said: “We are excited to be working with Machado and Silvetti Associates and Arup on the integrated design for this important Campus. The ideas are based around the creation of landscape spaces and connections with strong identity and which offer multiple benefits for learning, improved environmental quality and outdoor recreation.”
This is a unique collaboration between the World Bank, the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training and the German Hessen State Ministry of Science and Art that aims to develop an internationally accredited higher education program for research and advancement for Vietnamese students and to build a campus for the new university.
Machado and Silvetti Associates will be responsible for the delivery of Phase 1, US$121 million of the 50.5 hectare University Campus, whilst Grant Associates will mastermind the landscape strategy. Phase One of the project is due for completion in November 2017.
Grant Associates’ landscape design proposal embraces the concept that a sustainable university campus should be a multi-layered and multifunctional landscape that becomes an active living classroom, as well as a tool for restoring and improving the environment. The landscape strategy establishes an extensive network of gateways, courtyards and green spaces that encourages outdoor learning and social interaction, interlinked by comfortable and engaging shaded routes.
Highlights of the landscape design include:
Native Tropical Woodland Perimeter
The planting of a native tropical woodland perimeter belt provides a strong multifunctional edge to the campus. This brings shade and reduced air temperature; shelter for people and wildlife; a reduction of dust and noise; habitat creation for flora and fauna, as well as attractive shady routes for students to feel more connected to nature.
Sustainable Water Management
A sustainable water management is a central feature of the landscape design. A ‘water treatment train’ of storm water attenuation, cleansing and filtration allows water to be recycled within the site for irrigation and maintenance. It is embedded into the landscape providing attractive water gardens and channels.
Tree Lined Avenues in the University Commons
The core of the campus contains the key university buildings where the landscape approach will be more formal in character. Tree-lined avenues framing large open spaces create a grand setting to the architecture. The spaces are inspired by the urban grain of Ho Chi Mihn District One with large tree-lined avenues and squares. These spaces will remain flexible to provide opportunity for large outdoor performance and events.
Courtyard Gardens
The Courtyard Gardens are designed to be more individual in character, each identifying with the functions of their immediate surrounding buildings. They offer a series of articulated outdoor spaces for quiet seating and small study gatherings. The footpath network will offer a circulation that remains unrestricted yet intimate and sheltered. And a palette of hard and soft materials will be selected to keep these simple and distinctive whilst embracing the lush and sensory characteristic of tropical planting.
Andrew Grant, Director, Grant Associates said: “We are excited to be working with Machado and Silvetti Associates and Arup on the integrated design for this important Campus. The ideas are based around the creation of landscape spaces and connections with strong identity and which offer multiple benefits for learning, improved environmental quality and outdoor recreation.”