Wei Sun is intimately familiar with Westlake’s Yungu Campus.

As early as June 1, 2017, this young architect visited the Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, the predecessor of Westlake University. That day, he took on a project to design a new campus for Westlake University, a campus that would reflect interdisciplinary collaboration through its buildings.

Over the next 10 months or so, Sun and his team meticulously refined every aspect of their design, from the form of the Academic Ring to the research labs within, and from the domed conference room in the administrative building to the entrance plaza at the campus gate. Every corner of the campus was thoughtfully considered.

When the Yungu campus was inaugurated on Oct. 23, 2021, Sun’s eyes welled up with tears. As one of the main architects, he witnessed the perfect realization of the Academic Ring they had envisioned. “It’s so unique, so grand, so awe-inspiring!” said Sun.

In 2021, Sun embarked on an independent practice, co-founding the Weico Architects with an experienced team. Apart from architectural design, they also engage in architectural planning, interior design, urban design, and large-scale project management. They specifically focus on the integration of spatial design with disciplines such as technology, industry, economics, and the humanities.

Sun received on Sept. 8, 2022, an appointment letter that added another title to his name: Visual Consultant for the Westlake Education Foundation. He now provides strategic guidance to the foundation.

A donation ceremony took place Sept. 19, 2023, on Yungu Campus to honor Sun’s contribution to the Westlake Education Foundation. The donation deepened the connection between Sun and the university.

Sun, as the founding partner and lead architect at Weico, attended the ceremony along with his partners Yun Duan and Mingze Sun, and legal advisor Jing Qiu. On behalf of Weico, they donated a portion of their equity to the Westlake Education Foundation. Westlake attendees included Yigong Shi, university president, and Minhao Liu, associate vice president of Westlake, secretary of the board of trustees, and secretary-general of the Westlake Education Foundation.

During the donation ceremony, Liu expressed gratitude on behalf of the Westlake Education Foundation for Sun’s generous contribution and signed a donation letter of intent with him.

“Over the past six years of acquaintance and collaboration, trust has been the foundation of our relationship. This campus is a result of the shared ideals and dedication of partners like Mr. Wei Sun. We are grateful for the journey we have taken together,” said Shi at the ceremony.

From an architect involved in campus construction to a member of the Westlake community, Sun now has a deeper understanding of the role of donors to Westlake University. He said, “On the path of its development and growth, Westlake University may encounter difficulties, and the realization of each ideal cannot be achieved without the help of donors. As a company that has grown alongside the university, we are willing to donate a part of our achievements to the pursuit of knowledge. This will inspire us to do better, and we wish to contribute to the long-term and greater development of the university.”

As the main fundraising entity for Westlake University, the Westlake Education Foundation continues to expand the scope of accepted donations to include new forms, such as equity donations. With the growth of the company that owns the donated shares, the resulting appreciation and dividends will provide sustained support for the university.

Since its establishment, Weico Architects has been committed to contributing to China’s science and education development. Research and innovation buildings, as well as educational buildings, are among their core design and research areas. Sun and his team have participated in the overall planning, architectural design, and specialized investigation for institutions such as Westlake University, the Greater Bay Area University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), the Wuhan Institute of Industrial Innovation and Development, and the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation. They also seek to transform their practical experience into more systematic and scientific applications.