Suzhou Center and Kokugakuin University Learning Center
Shortlisted at WAF 2019
Suzhou Center and Kokugakuin University Learning Center have been shortlisted at this year’s edition of World Architecture Festival, one of the most prestigious happenings dedicated to the architecture and development industry, and the only global architecture event that combines awards, seminars and networking.
Both projects are competing in the “Completed Buildings” category. Specifically, Suzhou Center is in the “Mixed-use” shortlist, and Kokugakuin University Learning Center in “Higher Education and Research”.
Suzhou Center is a high-density mixed-use development project that forms the core of the CBD financial district in the Suzhou industrial park. The design is unified in formative terms with the surrounding buildings including the imposing “Gate of the Orient” tower. This three-dimensional cityscape incorporates the surrounding urban infrastructure and offers a green walkable area that extends all the way to the nearby lake.
Kokugakuin University Learning Center is a challenging expansion project that presents a new university building set on a narrow plot of land in a residential area and nearby an ancient temple. To have succeeded in creating a building that harmoniously fits all the “limitations” of the area while delivering a luminous, tranquil and expansive space for students to gather, relax and study is already a victory in itself.
During the event, held from the 4th to the 6th of December at RAI in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, all WAF finalists will present their projects live in one of the 17 crit rooms, open to all delegates to attend. It will be an occasion to discover the inside story on hundreds of projects and to find out what the WAF judges think about shortlisted schemes. The winners will be announced on the final day.
Both projects are competing in the “Completed Buildings” category. Specifically, Suzhou Center is in the “Mixed-use” shortlist, and Kokugakuin University Learning Center in “Higher Education and Research”.
Suzhou Center is a high-density mixed-use development project that forms the core of the CBD financial district in the Suzhou industrial park. The design is unified in formative terms with the surrounding buildings including the imposing “Gate of the Orient” tower. This three-dimensional cityscape incorporates the surrounding urban infrastructure and offers a green walkable area that extends all the way to the nearby lake.
Kokugakuin University Learning Center is a challenging expansion project that presents a new university building set on a narrow plot of land in a residential area and nearby an ancient temple. To have succeeded in creating a building that harmoniously fits all the “limitations” of the area while delivering a luminous, tranquil and expansive space for students to gather, relax and study is already a victory in itself.
During the event, held from the 4th to the 6th of December at RAI in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, all WAF finalists will present their projects live in one of the 17 crit rooms, open to all delegates to attend. It will be an occasion to discover the inside story on hundreds of projects and to find out what the WAF judges think about shortlisted schemes. The winners will be announced on the final day.