Turin University Faculty Building (Foster + Partners: 2013)
Amid the sparkling new facades of these curved structures on the River Dora, the concept of a quad has been radically updated. While the steel-and-glass exterior calls to mind the forward-thinking seriousness of a tech company campus, the spacious green quad, rooftop canopies, and a “philosopher’s walk” make sure the renovation leaves space for old-fashioned contemplation.
Image courtesy of Foster + Partners.If there’s one lesson to take from this collection of new buildings at schools and universities around the world, it’s that while students, lessons, and technology constantly change, the power of a well-conceived space doesn't go away. As classes resume this fall, here is a selection of 10 new spaces for learning, from fantastical new libraries to athletic facilities, that would provide architectural bragging rights for any alma mater.