University of Technology Petronas - Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Aga Khan Development Network
 

University of Technology Petronas

University of Technology Petronas
 Location: Tronoh, Malaysia (South-East Asia)
Architect: Foster + Partners
Client: Institute of Technology Petronas
Completed: 2004
Site size: 85'000 m²

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University of Technology Petronas Project Brief

Petronas University of Technology blends academic training with hands-on experience to produce graduates who will contribute to Malaysia’s industrial development. The design of the campus, akin to a town-planning project, brings together several medium-scale buildings: four-storey blocks for teaching and research, cafes and communal facilities, and a drum-like building containing a library and 3'000-seat multipurpose hall. Soaring crescent-shaped canopies - protection against strong solar radiation and heavy monsoon rains - cover the winding pedestrian routes that connect all the buildings. The exteriors are clad in locally sourced ceramic tiles, the interior cladding is formed by woven silk panels.

  • Visualisation of the project. Set within the beautiful and dramatic landscape , the 450-hectare campus site is characterised by tropical jungle, undulating terrain and lake by flooding disused mines.

    © Foster & Partners

  • The government invitation was to set up a private university that would be a centre of creativity and innovation, and a leader in technology education.

    © Nigel YOUNG

  • The chancellor complex marks the main entrance and forms a grand backdrop for the vista along the landscaped road.

    © Patrick BINGHAM-HALL

  • Conceived as the signature building of the campus, the chancellor complex is 21 metres high and around 150 metres in diameter.

    © Patrick BINGHAM-HALL

  • The exterior cladding is made of locally sourced ceramic tiles, on pre-cast panels, which form an iridescent pattern with varying matt and shiny finishes.

    © Patrick BINGHAM-HALL

  • A pedestrianised main deck echoes the geometry of the overhead canopy and links the academic building with the chancellor complex and the student facilities, further integrating the individual buildings into one complex.

    © Patrick BINGHAM-HALL

  • The design responds to both climate and physical landscape. A soaring crescent-form roof covers the pedestrian routes that wind around the edge of the site, providing protection from the sun and heavy downpours.

    © Patrick BINGHAM-HALL

  • Around the edge of the park are buildings for teaching an research, contained in four-storey blocks that tucks beneath the edges of the canopies.

    © Patrick BINGHAM-HALL

  • An approach was taken to minimise the impact of the development on the existing environment by maintaining and incorporating the existing topography. The aim was to remove no more than 30 per cent of existing sit vegetation where cutting was unavoidable.

    © Patrick BINGHAM-HALL

  • While the academic buildings contains the teaching facilities, the pocket buildings contain the lecture theatres, retail facilities and student support.

    © Ng, K.L.

  • As the centre of student activities, these pocket buildings form a brightly coloured contrast to the control of the academic buildings.

    © Patrick BINGHAM-HALL

  • The circular building of the chancellor complex is separated in two "crescent-shaped" halves: the resource centre and the chancellor hall. They are connected by a covered public plaza.

    © Patrick BINGHAM-HALL

  • The chancellor hall has five tribunes, retractable seats, loose chairs and an excellent acoustic performance.

    © Nigel YOUNG

  • The crescent shape of the resource centre is filled with a four-storey-high display of books, visible through a vast steel and glass façade.

    © Patrick BINGHAM-HALL

  • The roof canopy, supported by slender columns, intersect to encircle a central landscape park.

    © Patrick BINGHAM-HALL

  • To preserve the natural topography of the site, the academic buildings are laid out in a radial manner, skirting the foothills to form five "crescents" enclosing a central park.

    © Patrick BINGHAM-HALL

  • The academic buildings are generally four storey high. The first three storey contain laboratories, workshops and associated teaching facilities whilst the lecturers are located on the topmost storey.

    © Ng, K.L.

  • The laboratories are served either off 6-metre-wide central corridor or from 3-metre-wide corridors.

    © Patrick BINGHAM-HALL

  • Master plan

    © AKTC

  • Ground floor

    © AKTC

  • Roof plan

    © AKTC

  • Academic building section

    © AKTC



2007 Award Recipients