USI University Campus

Lugano, a city in Southern Switzerland, is in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino near the border between the two countries

The new campus for USI will be located on the outskirts of Lugano, near its existing campus.

A*PT Architecture’s vision for this project reinforces the urban quality of the setting while providing two new gathering spaces: one main piazza, open toward the original campus, and another more intimate courtyard.

The new z-shaped building complex contains public functions on the ground level and academic spaces above. The café, library, gymnasium, kindergarten, auditorium, and galleries are designed in free form around the new piazza and courtyard, while the classrooms and academic offices are organized on a grid on the floors above.

The synergy between the new open civic spaces and the existing neighborhood will weave the campus into the fabric of the city, allowing students and local residents to enjoy these public amenities.

The facades exposed to the sun cycle will feature a second skin fabricated with recycled wood, and all glass is triple insulated, as are the roof and the walls. The design conforms to the Swiss Minergie Standards (Swiss LEED system.)

Selected Publications/Exhibits

AIANY New York New York group exhibit, New York, NY – October 2011