As autumn approaches, it’s hard not to be swept into the nostalgia of the back to school season. After all, many of life’s richest experiences come from exploring new ideas, pouring over books and meeting new people.
Some of the world’s top architects have put their touch on these prestigious centers of education. Whether you’re planning on enrolling or toying with the idea of grad school, the stunning architecture of these universities will beckon you to campus.
Few schools can inspire a designer’s mind like the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. The professional art school is famous for its sloping green roof that ranges from two to five stories in height, with its steepest slope at nearly 45 degrees. At the center of these arcs is a courtyard with fountains and a pond, offering a tranquil place to relax.
Known for its secret societies and historical foundations, the University of Virginia in Charlottesville has an air of history embedded in its architecture. The university was founded in 1819 by none other than Thomas Jefferson — the third president of the United States and one of America’s Founding Fathers. It is often praised for its Jeffersonian architecture, and Jefferson himself designed the university’s landmark building, the Rotunda, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark.
Few campuses are as grand as All Souls College at the world famous University of Oxford. With a history that dates back to 1438, this graduate-only college is as prestigious as they come, complete with a notoriously grueling entrance exam to ensure only the most eligible candidates get in. One of its main points of attraction is the Codrington Library, which was furbished over the course of nearly 40 years in the mid 1700s and offers countless books on law, history, philosophy, sociology and science.
This private and prestigious university in Seoul is renowned in South Korea for its modern architecture. It’s also the largest women’s university in the world. Designed by Dominique Perrault Architecture, Ewha’s Campus Complex boasts lush greenery contrasted by geometric lines and industrial-style accent walls that guard a dramatic concrete walkway and staircase.
Vienna may be known for its Jugendstil architecture, but its modern architecture is just as impressive. There’s nothing as cutting edge in the European city as the Zaha Hadid Architects-designed Library and Learning Center at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. The sleek space consists of two separate buildings and features Hadid’s signature swooping curves and fluid lines.
Whether you’re an Urban Explorer, Field Tripper or Campus Commuter, Herschel Supply’s Multiple Choice collections feature plenty of best-in-class essentials.
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Written by Bianca Bartz
Headline photo by Charlie Foster