Sited on a hillside before a picturesque backdrop of mountains, the new campus dramatically presents the National Police University while sensitively responding to its mountainside context. The plan recognizes the beauty and power of the existing landscape, capturing and complementing its features while also providing a stately identity for the institution. These two aspects are approached as oppositions in the design, manifested in the two cross axes which organize the plan.

The North-South axis is formal and ceremonial. As encountered in the main approach, this central axis presents the main building as a focal point that stands apart from the rest of the campus. Together with its two flanking wings, grand stairs, and ceremonial lawn, the composition presents a formal image of the institution. Meanwhile, the East-West axis engages the main pedestrian environment, a central plaza where all pathways converge with common uses. Along this less formal axis, buildings frame a view corridor to the preservation area and the mountains beyond. As such, the East-West attitude acknowledges the existing landscape while the North-South stands in contrast to it.

Meanwhile, the landscape and building forms are integrated with the hillside. By stepping the buildings, re-grading is minimized, avoiding extensive excavation while balancing cut and fill. The linear buildings and corridors landscaped with planted roofs, rain gardens and reflecting pools coincide with the topography, reminiscent of the mountainside rice terraces historically found in the region. The linear sides of these buildings have north and south exposures, maximizing day-lighting and control of solar heat gain. Simultaneously, this configuration capitalizes on prevailing winds, providing natural ventilation during shoulder seasons while also blocking cold northern winds during the winter months.

Design by Davin Hong at RTKL