Four architectural masterpieces on Chinese university campuses

First-year university students are excitedly anticipating their imminent new life on campus, but how well do they know their institutions?

In addition to academic performance and sporting prowess, some universities are renowned for well-designed campuses featuring masterpieces by architectural heavyweights. Hong Kong is no different.

The Jockey Club Innovation Tower

University: Polytechnic University

Architect: Zaha Hadid (Her other works include London Aquatics Centre, Heydar Aliyev Centre in Azerbaijan and Guangzhou Opera House.)

Year of Completion: 2013

Amid the hustle and bustle of a major traffic junction in Hung Hom stands an almost illusory building. The Jockey Club Innovation Tower, next to the main campus, is designed by one of the greatest architects of our time. The building marks Zaha Hadid’s first permanent work in Hong Kong.

Taking up the mission to create “a beacon structure symbolising and driving the development of Hong Kong as a design hub in Asia,” Zaha Hadid Architects won the bid to design the building in 2007. The result is a “building which is inherently organised and understood to visitors from the point of entry”.