Vietnam-based Fulbright University (Fulbright) has started construction on a new campus in Saigon High Tech Park, a park for high technology enterprises located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The new 15-hectare flagship campus has been designed by SHoP Architect, which won an international competition in 2017 to establish the master plan for the project.
Fulbright University Vietnam president Dam Bich Thuy said: “We at Fulbright are excited to see the efforts of planning, fundraising and negotiation merge into this realization. The university has always made a priority of providing competencies-based, experiential learning opportunities for our students.
“This flagship campus affords us opportunities for growth in these areas through innovative, newer technologies and flexible learning spaces.”
The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by 2022. In the initial phase, the academic and student life buildings and central lawn which will be the nucleus of the new campus will be built, from which the University will expand subsequently in the next phases.
The main gateway building located at the head of the lawn will be home to a distinctive amphitheatre located at centre of the space, along with student centre and library.
A network of pedestrian streets or allées will extend out from the law and the main building. At the end of the pathway will be the focal-point buildings, designed to host iconic programmes such as galleries, theatres or a gymnasium.
Two major allées will converge into a wedge-shaped dormitory with student dining at the ground floor.
The University claims that these irregular geometries will ensure a sense of active learning and discovery and will also act as meaningful landmarks, while encouraging a natural, intuitive system of finding way.
SHoP Architects founding principal Gregg Pasquarelli said: “We are thrilled to break ground on this world-class university
“The opportunity to collaborate with the Fulbright team to develop the university’s programs and spaces at the same time is both an honor and an exciting challenge, and we look forward to creating a beautifully crafted and modern campus that serves its students through innovative teaching programs.”