competition for an expanded middle east campus
We joined with our associated architects to prepare ideas expanding a small existing American-based campus on the humid shore of the Red Sea. DumontJanks was responsible for validating the academic program given the university’s overseas mission; considering square footage needs for academic, residential, student recreation, and civic space; and a bold organizing idea that integrates the campus with the developing surroundings and local climate characteristics.
The organizing civic idea was an exterior linear academic market street, partially covered with a shade scrim that organized the campus around a tight pedestrian experience. The main civic entry to this new campus is aligned opposite the existing campus building entry for graduate studies. In addition to this academic market street, a series of smaller, intersecting, perpendicular streets running roughly east to west, provide funnels for prevailing sea breezes to enter the interior spaces of the campus.
The campus is arrayed on four civic blocks with the academic market street as the connective center. The intersection of the academic market street and a new internal perpendicular street mark the campus crossroads: the hub of student life, residential life, and recreation. Each connected block has a varying mix of academic, residential, and student life around an internal oasis marked by water and groves of palm. The two blocks with residential uses also have places for prayer and meditation.
We anticipated a phased implementation idea around probable academic program growth which would drive new student populations.
