National Institute of Education (NIE) Campus,
Nanyang Technological University
Republic of Singapore
Kallmann McKinnell & Wood Architects

A well-conceived plan underscores this multi-building campus

© Richard Bryant

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The National Institute of Education at Nanyang Technological University consists of four principal schools that define a central green. Accompanied by a library and administrative building, four academic buildings surround a central plateau, adapting to the sloping site on the periphery. There are three levels to the buildings—a campus level, one above that, and one below it opening to the courtyards, which creates a stair-oriented circulation system. On each campus and courtyard ground level, there are covered and protected exterior walks which are linked to form a campus-wide circulation system. As the buildings follow the sloping terrain, they add lower floors with the covered walks following the contours.

The administration building at the eastern end of the central green functions as a gateway while the circular form of the library on the opposite side of the green—with its panoramic views to the west—acts as its focus. The academic buildings represent the substance of the campus fabric. Their facades are similar and are linked by the strong horizontal continuity of the arcades.The courtyard spaces, defined by the C-shaped buildings, are unique to each school and adapted to the terrain (see site plan).

The academic buildings are long low-rise structures, presenting three stories to the central green and up to six to the courtyards. All rooms open to natural light with many having two exposures. The organization emphasizes pedestrian flow from classroom to classroom, level to level, and building to building. Open stairs culminate in balconies and roof terraces. Faculty offices are organized around central suites of reception, dean, and assistant dean's offices located at the central stair and elevators. Individual offices have exterior views to the central green, or to roof terraces and to long views to the north. Communal spaces occupy corners and intersections, providing meeting and lounge spaces.

Formal name of Project:
National Institute of Education (NIE) Campus, Nanyang Technological University

Location:
Republic of Singapore

Gross square footage:
12,000,000 sq. ft.

Total construction cost:
$150 million

Owner:
National Institute of Education, Government of Singapore