The Entrepreneurship Center – HKUST

The Base: An Energetic Hub for Innovation and Collaboration

LOT Architects was commissioned to design the common lobby area for The Base, located at the heart of HKUST’s Entrepreneurship Center. The project’s mission was to align spatial design with the school’s innovative spirit and entrepreneurial philosophy, while also cultivating an inspiring and high-energy atmosphere for students, faculty, and visitors.

Redefining University Commons for HKUST’s Startup Hub

The design centers around promoting interaction, visibility, and brand identity. At the arrival zone, a large LED screen plays promotional content to introduce The Base’s mission and programs, offering a digital welcome to visitors. This multifunctional area also serves as a comfortable waiting and social space, where students, professors, and guests can casually connect, network, or relax.

A custom-designed phone booth provides a private zone for spontaneous meetings, phone calls, or focused discussion, supporting the dynamic and fast-paced startup environment. Nearby, a feature wall incorporating The Base’s logo and icon doubles as a photogenic spot and wayfinding element, encouraging social sharing and reinforcing identity.

Entrepreneurial Recognition & Global Vision

In the main lift lobby, a striking logo wall showcases the names of the startup companies nurtured by HKUST. Designed in the form of a world map, the wall highlights the global reach and impact of the university’s entrepreneurial support system. The layout is enhanced with linear light strips, evoking a sleek, technological aesthetic that echoes the startup spirit.

From Welcoming to Inspiring: How Design Fuels Entrepreneurship

To emphasize energy and speed, the entrance and history wall were designed with vivid colors, angular lines, and dynamic forms, creating a sense of momentum and innovation. The overall space merges functionality, branding, and movement, acting as both a celebration of HKUST’s achievements and a launchpad for its future innovators.

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