SQUARE - Learning Centre at University of St. Gallen, Switzerland

SQUARE, The Learning Centre of University of St. Gallen

Swiss architecture and design studio Evolution Design has completed the fitout for the University of St. Gallen’s learning centre SQUARE. Designed by Sou Fujimoto Architects, the building is based on the concept of unbroken connectivity and multifunctionality and models new ways of learning and interaction between students and lecturers.

Experimental field for future learning
SQUARE is an experimental field for new, future-oriented forms of learning and teaching. Built as an open grid, the centre is designed to enable innovation and dialogue and has become a place of surprising encounters and mutual inspiration. In order to achieve this, SQUARE’s executive team commissioned Evolution Design to develop a furniture concept that enables experimental learning and teaching and to fit out the building and several roof terraces.

Fit out concept for enabling flexibility
SQUARE consists of open plan areas – designed as an inspiring journey through bustling squares and lounges to more quieter niches – and fifteen rooms extended across three floors. All spaces have been fitted out with extreme flexibility in mind, enabling all rooms and open areas to be modulated freely. For this reason, most areas are equipped with movable furniture and equipment that perfectly match the requirements of the event taking place and the number of people in attendance.

A toolbox concept
The ground floor welcomes visitors with a sophisticated cafeteria, a lounge, rooms for learning and pop-up events and the main open plaza centred around the spectacular atrium which extends up all three levels. Flooded by daylight and accentuated by the bold inserts of red and abundant indoor greenery, this is a bustling space where activities change daily: ranging from events with the participation of external guests to workshops, masterclasses and courses, and students working in groups on their projects.

The upper floors provide further spaces for group learning, presentations and events, all having access to several beautifully furnished roof terraces. On the top floor, designed in green and blue tones to create a feeling of tranquillity, islands of diner-style seating are separated from several quieter niches by green divider walls. Without losing the sense of interactivity and exchange, here learning and dialogue take place in a calmer atmosphere.