Grid-Type University Campuses: A Study on Modular Selection in Building Construction

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Tianjin University conducted a comprehensive study on grid-type university campuses, exploring their planning concepts, module selection criteria, and spatial efficiency. According to the study, the grid-type campus has gained attention due to its modular characteristics, horizontal expandability, and flexible organization. The research team performed a typological analysis on 23 representative global grid-type campuses, collecting data from literature reviews, architectural drawings, and satellite images. The findings suggest that campus module selection is primarily influenced by three factors: walking distance, functional requirements, and structural systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • The grid-type campus has emerged as a distinct phenotypic type, gaining academic attention for its modular characteristics, horizontal expandability, and flexible organization.
  • The study analyzed 23 representative global grid-type campuses, collecting data from literature reviews, architectural drawings, and satellite images.
  • The research identified three primary factors influencing campus module selection: walking distance, functional requirements, and structural systems.
  • The 'five-minute walking radius' standard is commonly used at the master planning level, with campus scale controlled within 500 x 350 m.
  • Module sizes typically range from 50-90 m or 7.2-10 m at the architectural level, depending on functional needs.
  • At the structural level, module ranges are usually 7-18 m, depending on usage requirements and structural systems.
  • The study's findings provide theoretical support and practical references for the planning, design, and module selection of future grid-type university campuses.
  • Authors Yaxin Wang, Gang Feng, and Fei Chen contributed to the research, which was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Tianjin University Graduate Science And Liberal Arts Top Innovation Award Program.

Statistics:

  • 23 representative global grid-type campuses were analyzed in the study.
  • 500 x 350 m is the optimal campus scale at the master planning level.
  • 50-90 m is the typical module size range at the architectural level.
  • 7-18 m is the module range at the structural level, depending on usage requirements and structural systems.
  • The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Tianjin University Graduate Science And Liberal Arts Top Innovation Award Program.

Sources:

  • Research: Criteria and Ranges: A Study on Modular Selection in Grid-Type University Campuses. Buildings, 2025,15(18):3357. (Buildings - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/buildings).
  • Publisher: MDPI AG.
  • Authors: Yaxin Wang, Gang Feng, and Fei Chen.
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China.
  • Tianjin University Graduate Science And Liberal Arts Top Innovation Award Program.