DkU Campus
DKU's vibrant residential campus, located northwest of the old city center of Kunshan, provides over 400 acres of high-tech classroom and lab space, a research institute, conference facilities, library, student and employee housing, a community center, and sports complex. Completed in multiple phases, the campus is scheduled to be fully utilized by January 2023.
The campus encourages the exchange of ideas and continuous learning and growth in the classroom and beyond. The environment blends traditional Chinese elements with advanced educational technology in a spacious, modern, yet intimate setting. The DKU campus is reflective of the natural and cultural context of the Jiangnan region, featuring:
- Native Wetlands: The campus includes 40 acres of preserved wetlands, reflective of the local geography—much in the way that Duke’s Durham campus sits within a preserved forest.
- Energy Efficiency: The campus design’s use of daylight, solar shading, passive cooling, and natural flood control is informed by centuries of experience dealing with the opportunities and challenges of Kunshan’s climate and terrain. DKU is the first university campus in China to receive LEED certification, with buildings rated LEED Gold and LEED Silver.
- A Walkable Campus: Roadways on the perimeter create a pedestrian-friendly central campus with walking paths and bridges connecting the buildings.
- Regional Connections: Kunshan’s location between Shanghai and Suzhou allows easy access to these major metropolitan centers by highways and high-speed railway.