By 1987, Universitas Islam Bandung (UNISBA) had grown to the point where it required a proper campus to accommodate its 5000 students. A ten year programme for the development of the campus had been prepared and stage I, which contains the classroom facilities, had to be constructed in the very short time span of four months. The project comprises four blocks, three of which have been completed and are built around a central square or plaza. The colourful buildings are 3-4 storeys in height and have pitched roofs. The site is relatively small and slopes sharply in certain parts.
The campus facilities had to be completed to allow the development of the first phase - 1987 to 1992 - and in order to provide the education, research and service to the public aimed at in the second phase. The campus building programme was scheduled as follows:
First stage, Classroom buildings;
Second stage, Library, laboratories and lecturers' lounge;
Third stage, Mosque and auditorium; and
Fourth stage, Rector's offices.
The overall design concept is one of an inner court or plaza for use as a communal area with the buildings oriented around the plaza. This area is intended as a meeting place for the students and for car parking. It constitutes the focus of the campus design. The layout is composed of four building blocks identifying the four stages of development. Architectural principles typical of tropical regions have been adopted in the design of the campus such as the use of steeply pitched roofs, wide eaves, and covered walkways.
Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture
