Computer College

The College of Computer Science and Technology of Zhejiang University is celebrating its 40th anniversary. For this occasion the university wanted to create a space to present the college’s history along with latest research results. The original rooms were run down and did no longer represent a modern, internationally focussed college. Within the existing buildings a multi-functional exhibition hall, a conference room and a show room with an introduction hall were created.
The new design follows a minimalist approach and is inspired by the technological orientation of the college. A light and a dark design scheme create two very different atmospheres for the rooms. 
For the exhibition hall and the adjacent conference room we chose the light design with white metal panels for the walls and grey terrazzo for the floor and columns. The focal point of the hall is a bust of the college’s founder He Zhijun with the university’s illuminated logo and motto in the back. The exhibition which introduces the college’s history, scholars and graduates was printed directly on the wall panels. Meanwhile built-in displays show exhibits from the founding days of the college. 
The show room with changing exhibitions of the college’s research projects follows the dark design scheme. The room is entered from an introduction hall and is divided into 7 thematic sections which correspond to the faculties. Anthracite metal panels alternate with framing light strips, while the sections are indicated by illuminated signs on the ceiling. Each section has its own screen installed on the wall and an exchangeable text panel highlighting the faculty’s achievements. Computers, tablets and other changing exhibits can be placed on white desks which are distributed throughout the room and create a contrast to the dark surrounding. Adjustable spot lights focus on the exhibits. 
The light exhibition hall and the dark show room complement each other. They both combine various influences of western and eastern culture to two experiential spaces. Within the light scheme there are also dark elements like the metallic logo wall and within the dark scheme are also light elements like the white exhibition furniture.