The 10 most unusual university buildings in the world

You don’t have to be an architecture student (or indeed know anything about architecture) to appreciate the beauty of a well-designed or unusual university building. Although university architecture may bring to mind ancient cloisters and dimly lit old libraries, campuses around the world are home to some of the most unique, modern buildings on the planet.

At the end of the day, your campus is probably where you’ll be spending most of your time as a student so it doesn’t hurt if it also happens to be nice to look at. 

1. The La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Australia

Opened in 2013, the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science is difficult to miss. Part of La Trobe University’s Melbourne campus, this impressive building was inspired by molecular structures – the very thing that is researched inside it.

Its windows resemble chemically bonded atoms, and the building’s pillars are shaped like X’s and Y’s to represent chromosomes.

2. The Hive, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

The circular structures of this learning hub at Nanyang Technological University were inspired by the shape of bee hives, although many have since pointed out the building’s striking resemblance to dim sum baskets. 

Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the building was created with the university’s flipped classroom teaching method in mind, where students watch their lectures online, and then come to campus to delve deeper into their subjects in discussion-based lessons.

Image credit: Supanut Arunoprayote

3. Weissman Art Museum, University of Minnesota, US

Frank Gehry is famous for designing the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. He also turned his hand to this masterpiece, which houses the Weissman Art Collection at the University of Minnesota.

The building has two faces. One side is a brick façade, blending in with the historic buildings surrounding the museum, along the Northrop Mall. The other side is clad with Gehry’s signature brushed steel sheets and curving, angular design.

Image credit: Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

4. Sharp Centre for Design, Ontario College of Art and Design, Canada

Built in 2004, the Sharp Centre for Design is one of Toronto’s most recognisable buildings. 

The striking tabletop-style, black and white tiled building rests on 12 brightly coloured steel legs, each four storeys high. It also happens to be located next to the oldest building on campus, which really highlights the contrast between the two building styles. 

Image credit: OCAD University 

5. Kuggen Building, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

This cylindrical red building at the University of Gothenburg makes use of the latest green building technology and is home to the university’s master’s programme in game design, as well as the Chalmers Library.

The Swedish word kuggen means “cog” in English, representing the link between the academic world and the ever-expanding fields of digital communications and media studied in the building.

Image credit: Andrzej Otrębski

6. West Campus Union, Duke University, US

When the West Campus Union at Duke University in North Carolina needed renovating, the architects did far more than restore the original 1920s design.

This glass box connects old and new, acting as a modern gateway between the neo-Gothic architecture of the original campus buildings, and serving as a central social space for students.

Image credit: Duke University

7. The Diamond, Bangkok University, Thailand

With a shape inspired by uncrystallised diamonds, the Diamond Buildings at Bangkok University were designed to symbolise the institution’s mission to unlock the inherent creativity in its students.

The bold, sculptural buildings have become landmarks in their own right, and serve as the gateway to the campus. Inside are many light and airy spaces for studying in, as well as classrooms, studios and even a software incubation centre.

8. C13 building, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland

The C13 student centre at Wrocław University of Science and Technology in Poland features seemingly randomly placed circular windows, making it stand out from the classical university buildings that surround it. It’s a great example of Poland’s modernist architecture and a student favourite.

Image credit: Bartek Sadowski

9. Arts West Building, University of Melbourne, Australia 

The outer façade of the Arts West Building at the University of Melbourne features row upon row of metal fins which, when viewed from afar, feature imprinted images of selected objects and statues from the university’s collection.

Within the building are several special teaching rooms with bespoke temperature and solar control, allowing students to get up close and personal with the department’s collection of ancient artefacts without damaging them.

The modern building also incorporates part of an older faculty building but updates it with a twisting Renaissance-style staircase and Vivienne Westwood wallpaper. 

Image credit: University of Melbourne 

10. UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney, Australia

Another Frank Gehry design, the UTS Business School at the University of Technology Sydney opened its doors in 2015.

Critics were quick to compare it to a squashed brown paper bag, prompting Peter Cosgrove, Australia’s then governor general, to declare it “the most beautiful squashed brown paper bag I’ve ever seen”.

Image credit: University of Technology Sydney