Green vertical university in Sydney CBD

Globalization and population growth throughout the world continues. More and more countries are gaining access to highly skilled and cross-national learning. Because of this, cities need new and modern sites: universities, training centers, specialized schools.

However, the university is a complex infrastructure, consisting not only of lecture halls and laboratories, but also of providing the staff necessary for a comfortable study of students and work, as well as a place that should inspire people to new achievements.

In connection with the increasing deficit of land resources, more and more universities are beginning to grow upward. This allows compact use of urban spaces and simplifies the life of students. Examples of such vertical educational institutions include Roosevelt University in Chicago, Tokyo Gakuen Tower, which combines 3 colleges at once, WSU campuses in Western Sydney, etc.

All these examples are united by complex zoning, according to which, as a rule, the upper levels are given for residential modules, and the lower ones for educational, administrative and technical ones. Moreover, some of the modern vertical universities actively use green spaces on facades and roofs. This is especially common in Australia.

In this concept, an attempt was made to combine the main features and advantages of analogues in the scenic stretch of the Sydney waterfront. The main task that was set in front us was to take into account both vertical gardening and safety, and a sufficient number of educational and residential areas inside the campus.

Australia was chosen for the development of the concept, since it is not only a country with a 25 million population, but also a center of economic and social activity in the Southern Hemisphere, uniting different cultures and nationalities. The climate of the mainland allows you to use interesting solutions in terms of vertical gardening.

The development site is a renovated embankment that used to be a pier. Part of this embankment has been turned into a terraced park. And in our idea, this park is continued by passing into a vertical plane. The terraced structure of the park is reflected in the terracing of the stylobate and the platforms of organic forms that make up the university. The lowest platform extending from the base of the tower serves as a podium for the square in which students can gather. On the back of the towers there is a shaded area with a fountain, where you can hide from the summer heat and leave your bike.

An educational institution, especially if it is built into a skyscraper, must accommodate large flows of people. Therefore, this increases the risks in the event of fires and disasters. To reduce these risks, the concept provides for 3 towers at once, connected by passages. In case of danger, students and staff will be able to move to another building to go down. The central tower rises 83 floors, the southern tower 78, and the northern tower 74. A floor area - more than 630,000 m2, which is enough for a complete campus. The central tower is also fitted with an additional stiffening core with lift compartments. In general, a cascade line is formed along the coast of the bay, rising from the modern complex of International towers and the Crown tower to the university.

The very structure of the university is divided into alternating levels. The first levels are public spaces open to all citizens. Above them is a large block of educational and administrative premises of the campus. Next are mixed levels, combining public spaces with co-working and living areas. It is important that the university has premises for creative associations and startups. Timely rest is also important for today's students. For this, lawns are laid out around the towers, and recreation areas are located on the ledges of the platforms. In addition, on separate floors there are leisure areas where students can relax, have fun and socialize with views of the bay. Only living quarters remain above the 50th floor.

The university is to mark the completion of the formation of the Barangaroo area, taking into account the new park and coastal line. The proximity of the observatory, the Opera, parks and business districts will saturate the life of students and encourage them to self-development.