Broadway Malyan was appointed to design a new Innovation Center building for the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). The UNNC Innovation Center is located on the southern side of the campus; a key urban edge bordering the city’s wetland park and sets a new benchmark for this type of infrastructure in China. It is a vibrant and green urban development that has been designed to host a thriving community of environmentally-aware entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors as part of the university’s growing partnership with businesses in the private sector.
The simple, elegant design follows the curve of the campus edge, presenting a new face internally and externally. A significant new body of public realm will integrate the building with the city park and help generate a unique sense of place around existing buildings.
The building presents a contrast to the existing facilities on the campus but also pays them respect in terms of scale, massing, proportion and material continuity. The use of concrete – but digitally sculpted – demonstrates how this building is at the leading edge of technology for its time.
The design promotes flexibility and collaboration, including high-specification spaces dedicated to research and technology, as well as more traditional learning and business school environments. The layered facility also includes live/work spaces and a range of complementary uses including a restaurant, café, bar, gym, roof garden and social areas.
The project was delivered as part of the University of Nottingham Ningbo’s wider strategic 2020 vision for the development of the campus.