China Academy of Art, Xiangshan Campus

China Academy of Art, Xiangshan Campus

Rather than joining the trend of government-planned university campuses popular in China today, the China Academy of Art's Xiangshan Campus is situated on the eastern edge of the southern mountain ranges of Hangzhou. While this area may currently lack some infrastructure, traditional Chinese cultural principles place greater importance on the surrounding landscape—including mountains and water—than on the architecture itself. Mr. Wang Shu believes that “the relationship between China’s mountains and its architecture has never been merely a matter of scenic contrast, but rather one of coexistence.” Thus, the Xiangshan Campus serves as a paradigm for integrating China’s traditional values with nature, mountains, and buildings in a contemporary context. The campus features a winding, freeform layout, with buildings and natural scenery each occupying roughly half the space. The structures do not dominate; instead, they yield precedence to atmosphere and mood, harmonizing with the presence of the mountains and water. At the heart of the campus lies the lush, green Xiangshan Mountain, at the foot of which winds a small stream. Over 30 buildings are laid out like brushstrokes in calligraphy, flowing naturally along the stream and encircling the mountain in a single, cohesive gesture. These structures rest quietly amid the gentle topography, like a constellation of guardians—tense and relaxed, loose and tight—collectively outlining the contours of Xiangshan. The overall organic irregularity contrasts with the geometric precision of the inner courtyards, creating a dynamic interplay between movement and stillness. The irregular site plan generates a spatial rhythm. Originally, the area at the foot of Xiangshan was flat farmland. Mr. Wang Shu reshaped the terrain by creating gentle slopes, and then designed the buildings to follow traditional Chinese feng shui principles and local customs, aligning them with the slope. The campus grounds were transformed to resemble the rolling hills of China’s Jiangnan region. Standing at the base of Xiangshan and looking around, one feels as if each view leads to yet another, creating an endless sense of depth—much like a traditional Chinese handscroll painting, which cannot be taken in all at once, but gradually reveals its full beauty as it unfolds. As the saying goes, “The beauty of a scene lies in its depth; without curves, there is no depth.”

The China Academy of Art, Xiangshan Campus, is located in Zhuan Tang Town, Hangzhou, surrounded by green mountains and clear waters. The first phase of the new construction covers a building area of 64,000 square meters and includes three academic units: the School of Visual Arts, the School of Media and Animation, and the Center for Basic Education. The overall planning of the campus places great emphasis on creating a harmonious ambiance and preserving the ecological environment. Drawing on development models from both Chinese and Western university campuses, it has established a rational functional zoning and an integrated layout that combines architecture, space, landscaping, and the natural surroundings—truly forming a garden-like, open educational environment suitable for educational tourism. The overall layout takes advantage of the terrain and environmental characteristics, adhering to the principles of simplicity and efficiency. It features clearly defined zones while allowing flexibility and coherence for future development.

Address: No. 352, Xiangshan Road, Zhuan Tang Town, Xihu District, Hangzhou (near Songcheng)

Public Transportation:

Bus routes: 39, 109, 189