Kdu Campus Center Bâtiment Éducatif by Atelier Meme

Kdu Campus Center Bâtiment Éducatif by Atelier Meme is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award d'Argent in Design d'Architecture, Bâtiment et Structure Competition Category.

ArgentArchitecture· 2025

Kdu Campus Center Bâtiment Éducatif

by Atelier Meme

Client: Atelier MEME

A' Design Award d'Argent Winner in Architecture Category

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The Design

About Kdu Campus Center Bâtiment Éducatif

Le Centre de Campus de l'Université Dentaire de Kanagawa incarne une philosophie d'Architecture Douce, fusionnant des espaces fonctionnels pour le personnel et les étudiants avec des zones communes sous un toit généreux en forme de nuage. L'utilisation de béton coloré et un aménagement paysager qui adoucit les limites avec le parc environnant favorise un environnement accueillant. Le Centre de Campus, conçu pour être le foyer du campus et de la ville, vise à revitaliser la vie du campus et à ouvrir l'université à la communauté, en faisant un lieu où chacun peut facilement se rassembler et participer à diverses activités.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award d'Argent

Kdu Campus Center Bâtiment Éducatif est lauréat de l'A' Design Award d'Argent, une reconnaissance énormément prestigieuse décernée à des designs haut de gamme, superbes et impressionnants. Les lauréats Argent sont des œuvres tout à fait brillantes et extrêmement créatives qui illustrent l'expertise, le talent et la perspicacité remarquables de leurs concepteurs. Kdu Campus Center Bâtiment Éducatif est censé être une œuvre merveilleuse, une vitrine de savoir-faire, remarquablement professionnelle et profondément innovante. Ce design lauréat de l'A' Design Award d'Argent est une invention très notable et admirée, qui sert l'art, la science, le design et la technologie et en repousse les limites. Kdu Campus Center Bâtiment Éducatif est une création très enviée qui éveille les désirs, apporte des sentiments positifs et suscite émerveillement et étonnement.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The University Campus Center merges functional spaces for staff and students under a distinctive, cloud-like roof. Contrasts between the classic concrete frame and the grand roof create a diverse spatial experience. The integrated landscaping softens boundaries with the adjacent park, fostering a vibrant and welcoming environment. Designed as the "foyer of the campus and the city," this center revitalizes campus life, encouraging community engagement and creating a dynamic hub for activities.
Dimensions & Packaging: Site Area: 44,652.24 m²;
Building Area: 2,330.35 m²;
Total Floor Area: 4,656.43 m²;
Maximum Height: 17.49 m;
Maximum Eave Height: 16.89 m;
Floors: 4 (above ground)
Tags: University, Office, Learning Space, Student Hall, Community Center, Roof, Colored Concrete, Voided Slab, Seaside, Cloud
Production Technology: The vast roof, reminiscent of clouds, uses technologies like voided slabs and skilled craftsmanship. It achieves lightness at about half the weight of regular concrete, supported by slim columns without beams. This design captures a liberating quality rarely found in industrially arranged buildings. The edges are shaped into gentle curves and R-profiles using artisan-crafted formwork. Additionally, the state-of-the-art spray-applied techniques ensure the waterproofing of the roof.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge in creating a plaza-like space under a vast roof was considering its abstract design. The roof needed to resonate as the enduring hub of the campus and avoid trends that might quickly date it. Ultimately, the design mirrored a white object, reflecting the flowing clouds characteristic of a seaside town. Another critical theme was the campus's openness to the community, meticulously balancing safety and accessibility with attention to fence height, gate width, and pavement layout.
Research: As an educational corporation, the client was inherently conservative, worried that the "Campus Foyer" vision might compromise key functions like offices and halls. Understanding the client's nature deeply, we carefully balanced architectural functionality and softness. Ultimately, by merging a classical, conservative structure with a "free" expansive roof, we preserved essential functions while fostering a welcoming atmosphere that naturally attracts people.
Inspiration: Charming cities and towns always have squares and parks that naturally draw people together. How about this campus? Confronted by monotonous buildings and a sterile landscape covered in asphalt, we felt a strong sense of disconnect. At the same moment, a vision flashed before us: a tranquil, expansive roof under which people could gather and interact, fitting for a seaside town. This idea aimed to transform the campus into a vibrant, welcoming space.
Project Duration: The project was conceptualized in April 2020 and concluded its design phase in January 2022. The application process followed from February 2022 to June 2022, with construction commencing in July 2022 and completed in January 2024 at Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
Operation Flow: The campus is covered by a large-scale roof, with the administrative and learning buildings positioned at the core. This setup allows for focused work or study inside the main building, and stepping out offers expansive spaces for breaks. It enables a lifestyle that easily shifts between contrasting environments. The softened boundaries with the park and harmonious continuity with the city foster a campus hub where everyone can freely spend their time.
Team Members: Atsuyuki Yagi
Hiroyuki Kurashima
Jiaxin Li
Keita Yanagisawa
Masaki Okuno
Image Credits: Image #1-5: Photographer Hiroyuki Oki, Blue Hours Co., Ltd. , 2024