Stacks of rough stone and concrete form the campus of Yan'an University in China, designed by the Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tsinghua University to recall the city's famous cave dwellings.
This first stage of the campus includes two museums and a library, housed in ziggurat-style buildings sitting atop arcaded bases.

"The team visualised an ideal 'picture' of the new campus," said the Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tsinghua University (THAD), which is based in Beijing.
"It would be massive and rustic as the loess land in northern Shaanxi yet as solemn and magnificent as a historic city," they added. "We made no attempt to repeat the traditional elements and symbols. Rather, we sought for a novel way that is modern and connected it with a traditional regional culture."

Rather than make extensive use of internal circulation corridors, these arcades form part of a strategy that connects each block with a series of open areas.
These sheltered areas, which connect to courtyards, double as social and communal spaces.

On each level, circulation around the atrium forms balcony areas to visually connect the whole interior.
THAD has also designed a masterplan that outlines a an academic hall and staff and student centre.
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