Yihang x University of Chinese Academy of Sciences: Learning-Centered Spaces Close to Nature

The Yanqi Lake Campus of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences is a high-level research university campus that lives in harmony with nature and puts academic atmosphere first. Built around its mountains-and-water landscape, the campus emphasizes harmony between architecture and environment, placing higher demands on both the functionality and the humanity of its teaching spaces. Drawing on its “learning-centered, nature-inspired” planning philosophy, Yihang created a modern campus space that combines flexible teaching with a natural experience.

1. Flexible Teaching Spaces Supporting Diverse Learning Modes

With “learning” at the center of its space design, Yihang abandoned traditional fixed layouts in favor of flexibly combinable desks, chairs, and partition systems—adapting to the university's students across inquiry-based, personalized, and collaborative learning scenarios.

Through reconfigurable modular teaching furniture, classrooms switch layouts on demand, improving teaching efficiency for instructors and the learning experience for students.

2. Nature-Inspired Design for a Comfortable Growth Environment

Echoing the campus's “one axis, two belts” courtyard layout and natural landscape, Yihang chose office sofas in natural colors and soft materials for the library's lounge areas, creating a biophilic space.

In the library corridors, natural light and ergonomic study desks and chairs create a rational, clear, functionally blended public space, making good use of daylight to give teachers and students a better learning and exchange experience.

3. Healthy, Human-Centered Details That Care for Body and Mind

Phone booths, single-seat sofa spots, and study desks and chairs designed for long research sessions together create a warm, energetic school space.

Guided by its “people-first, back-to-nature” design philosophy, Yihang helped the Yanqi Lake Campus of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences transform from traditional teaching spaces into a modern campus that is functionally rich, environmentally friendly, and learning-centered—an ideal place for teachers and students to find inspiration and focus on research.