# Vegetable-Inspired Buildings Nanyang Technological University Has a New Building by Heatherwick By Rebecca Byers | Published 2015-03-10 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nanyang-technological-university References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2015/03/10/thomas-heatherwick-textured-tower-balconies-cpg-consultants-learning-hub-nanyang-technological-university-singapore/) The Learning Hub at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore is Heatherwick Studio's first major new building in Asia. The innovative eight-storey learning facility is an intelligent reimagining of the university building and is a textured structure taking its inspiration from a root vegetable. The Learning Hub is made from a cluster of smaller cylindrical towers and features an expansive atrium that encourages social interaction between faculty and students. The atrium boasts a bevvy of balconies that unify the sprawling space and give it a communal feel. The twelve circular towers make for 56 oval classrooms and aim to inspire more collaborative work between students. Heatherwick Studio is currently collaborating with Bjarke Ingels on the new Google Headquarters in Mountainview, California. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.5/10 - Popularity: 80% | Activity: 47% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Vegetable-inspired Buildings:** Designing buildings using nature and organic shapes as inspiration can create unique and innovative structures that better integrate with their surroundings. - **Collaborative Learning Facilities:** Creating classrooms with circular designs can foster collaboration and inspire more interactive learning experiences. - **Textured Structures:** Using textured surfaces to create more visually striking and tactile buildings can make them stand out and enhance their overall design. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture and Design:** Architects and designers can use organic shapes and textures to create unique and innovative structures that better integrate with their surroundings. - **Education:** Incorporating interactive and collaborative designs into classroom spaces can enhance the learning experience and promote more engaged and effective student learning. - **Technology and Construction:** Innovative building techniques and materials can help create the unique and visually striking structures that are becoming increasingly popular in modern architecture and design. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Asia-Based Wooden Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gaia-building-1.md) - [Japanese Outdoor Teaching Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-british-school.md) - [Spiralled Roof Horticultural Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-leaf-1.md) - [Sleek Culture Business Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xian-centre-culture-business-district.md) - [Nature-Inspired Design Objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-2.md) - [Stacked Cylindrical City Towers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oopen.md) - [Lotus Plant-Inspired Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/one-future.md) - [Tree-Inspired Panelled Workspaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hood-design-studio.md) - [Plant-Filled Latticed Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/touching-eden-house.md)