Square Hsg Learning Center

This architectural interior photograph presents a multi-story atrium space within an educational learning center, captured in a square format with the camera positioned at ground level looking upward and across the space. Beginning with orientation, the overall impression is one of soaring verticality, warm natural light, and inviting social gathering areas. The dominant structural element is a broad concrete staircase that sweeps diagonally from the lower right, ascending toward the upper left across multiple levels, its surface a soft warm grey reminiscent of natural limestone or weathered driftwood. The concrete has a smooth, cool appearance that might feel like polished stone beneath one's palm. At the upper levels, large rectangular panels in vivid poppy red—warm as a summer tomato—punctuate the neutral concrete walls, providing bold visual anchors. Additional color notes include deep blue panels suggesting twilight sky and warm butterscotch-golden tones of wood paneling that evoke honey or amber. The foreground features stepped timber seating platforms in pale natural oak, their surfaces appearing smooth and warm like sun-heated wooden decking, where several people sit in small groups engaged in conversation. One figure stands while others sit casually, creating an atmosphere of relaxed social exchange. Rising from a rectangular planter at right, a remarkable vertical column is entirely wrapped in cascading ivy, its hundreds of small heart-shaped leaves creating a texture like green velvet flowing downward. This living element reaches perhaps three stories in height, bringing the freshness of a forest grove indoors. Tropical potted plants with feathery palm fronds and broad paddle-shaped leaves cluster near the seating areas, their bright spring green suggesting the coolness of shaded garden paths. White-painted metal handrails trace the staircase edges with the crispness of drawn lines. Natural daylight floods from above and through upper-level windows, creating an even, shadowless illumination like a bright overcast day. A figure in motion ascends the stairs, their form slightly blurred, suggesting the gentle bustle of an active space. The overall atmosphere conveys intellectual vitality, social warmth, and architectural generosity.

Square or the learning center of the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland is an inspiring and vibrant environment for learning and teaching and gives students, lecturers and the wider society a future-oriented platform for exchange, dialogue and surprising encounters. The building was designed by Sou Fujimoto and architecture studio Evolution Design was tasked with creating a learning concept that responds to the innovative learning and teaching formats and enables maximum flexibility in the future. The interior concept is, therefore, dynamic and adaptable.