The Jinshan Main Campus

Environmental Sustainability for the nature

The campus area has preserved as much as possible its original landscape vegetation since the initial stage of planning and construction. We maintain a forest coverage rate of 50% and have kept 30% of the ecological conservation areas. The trees or plants in the remaining 70% of the area that needed to be moved to prepare for construction have all been transplanted properly to a nearby area. We use natural slope or reinforced retaining walls to stabilize the campus areas. The grass-covered, terraced landscaping and the consistency between nature and the campus construction form a specific Dharma Drum University feature. By covering the roofs of all buildings with soil, we have developed green roofs or we have utilized them to produce renewable energy from solar or wind power. The campus area has restored its biodiversity as much as possible by multi-level planting of original vegetation or indigenous species.

Constructions blending in with the hilly shape

The Campus architectural design follows the principle of simplicity, and all structures therefore blend in with the hilly shape of the campus area to become integrated into the natural environment. For example, half-casing, low-storey and ladder type constructions will give the building the impression of a reduced and scattered construction volume. This does not only provide sufficient indoor space, but it also supplies lots of outdoor space for exercise and other activities. Moreover, the roof of the lower floor is a green terrace for the upper floor.

Low-carbon core buildings and campus

The core buildings in the central area of the campus include the Administrative Center, the common classrooms, the Student's Activity Center, the four college buildings, the Main Library and the Master's Lecture Hall. This group of buildings is surrounded by the buildings of the four Residential Colleges (書苑). All buildings on campus introduce the latest green building practice and have become a standard, campus-wide approach; to quote a few samples: natural ventilation, the introduction of outdoor light, indoor micro-climate control and the use of low-carbon equipment. In order to create a culture of leisurely strolling on campus, we will implement a new low-carbon trip plan for the campus transportation during the period of 10 years after the road and public facilities will have finished. For example, we will use electric vehicles comprehensively for all campus transportation.