The Hangzhou International Innovation Institute (HIII) of Beihang University is a pioneering hub for aeronautical education, research, and technological innovation in China’s Yangtze River Delta. Designed by HENN Architekten, it combines an academic campus with a science and technology park, creating a dynamic ecosystem for students, researchers, and industry partners.
The campus is organized along two primary axes. The north–south academic axis is centered around the Flying Roof, one of the world’s largest suspended structures, stretching 395 meters long and 168 meters wide. Its concave form, reminiscent of a plane’s wing, floats above classrooms, research laboratories, administrative offices, a library, and a concert hall. Its lightweight tensile structure, inspired by aviation engineering, provides maximum coverage with minimal material, unifying the separate buildings into a cohesive whole.
The east–west landscape axis links lush green spaces, waterways, and pedestrian pathways, integrating the campus seamlessly into its surroundings. At the intersection of the axes, a vibrant central plaza encourages collaboration, discussion, and social exchange. Classrooms are highly flexible, adaptable for laboratories, offices, or lecture halls.
Architecturally, HIII draws inspiration from the Liangzhu Neolithic site, a UNESCO World Heritage site, while embracing the sleek precision of the modern aviation industry. Materials such as steel, glass, concrete, and mineral surfaces blend contemporary design with regional building traditions. Glass façades allow natural light to permeate interior spaces, enhancing transparency and openness, while curved roofs and courtyard arrangements harmonize with the surrounding water landscape. 
The campus sits on three horizontal layers: natural topography, low-rise buildings that follow the terrain, and the elevated roof grid. Its car-free environment features islands, canals, gardens, and meandering footpaths, creating a garden-like atmosphere. These elements also generate temperate microclimates suitable for Hangzhou’s humid subtropical climate.
The Hangzhou International Innovation Institute exemplifies a thoughtful synthesis of heritage, innovation, and human-centered design. By uniting advanced research facilities with an inspiring, sustainable environment, HIII prepares the next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators, a campus where cultural legacy and technological advancement converge.
Source: henn.com with additional information added by Glass Balkan
