The International Cooperation Innovation Zone at Dongguan University of Technology is conceived as a people-centered research campus that integrates architecture, landscape, and innovation within the ecological belt of the Songshan Lake District. Designed by 10 Design in collaboration with BIAD, the project establishes a sustainable, flexible environment for global scientific exchange.
Organized around the concept of a “knowledge park,” the masterplan is anchored by a central landscaped courtyard that serves as the social and intellectual heart of the campus. Research facilities, shared laboratories, and learning spaces are arranged around this green core to ensure equal access, visibility, and connectivity, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and informal interaction. Three sculptural buildings within the courtyard house lecture halls and multi-purpose spaces of varying scales, creating a dynamic setting for academic exchange.
A continuous colonnaded campus street links research, teaching, and residential areas, providing shaded pedestrian circulation, climate protection, and informal gathering spaces with views into the courtyard. At the eastern edge, an iconic window-shaped building forms a gateway to the campus, framing views toward the surrounding district while accommodating flexible research, office, and exhibition spaces. Integrated cascading gardens introduce biophilic elements and reinforce the project’s commitment to sustainability.
Rooted in landscape and driven by adaptability, the campus maximizes the site’s natural character while delivering a future-ready academic environment that supports innovation, attracts international talent, and establishes a new civic landmark for Dongguan.