SHoP architects breaks ground on major university campus in ho chi minh city

a university campus designed by SHoP architects has broken ground in ho chi minh city, vietnam. with the first phase of the project set to open in 2022, fulbright university vietnam will be the country’s first independent, not-for-profit institution of higher education. located within saigon high tech park in district 9, the university aspires to serve vietnamese society through innovative teaching programs and impactful research aimed at supporting vietnam’s continued development.

the masterplan will be carried out in phases

the academic and student buildings form the nucleus of the campus in phase 1, from which fulbright university vietnam will expand in subsequent stages. located at the head of the centrally positioned lawn, the main gateway building will house a distinctive amphitheater located at center of the space, as well as the student center and library. SHoP who won a competition to masterplan the project in 2017, has designed a network of pedestrian streets that extend out from the lawn and main building.

buildings are arranged around a centrally positioned lawn

at the end of each pathway are focal-point buildings designed to serve as galleries, theaters, or a gymnasium. the convergence of two thoroughfares forms a wedge-shaped dormitory with student dining on the ground floor. these irregular geometries ensure a sense of active learning and discovery, provide meaningful landmarks and encourage a natural, intuitive system of wayfinding.

the first phase of the project will open in 2022

meanwhile, water features play an important role in the landscaping of the campus. rain is a key aspect of life in ho chi min city and water management is critical to the resiliency of the campus and the project’s goals of environmental stewardship. the buildings celebrate this key feature of the local environment, integrating drainage and water reclamation into visible design elements throughout the campus and the landscape.

project info:

architect: SHoP architects
client: fulbright university vietnam
location: saigon high tech park, district 9, ho chi minh city, vietnam
status: under construction, first phase to open in 2022