Feb 22, 2017 10:27 AM EST By Chris Brandt, UniversityHerald Reporter

Universities from across the globe pride themselves for being rated as one of the bests when it comes to quality of education. However, it becomes a double whammy if a university is also admired for its architectural design. Here are 6 of the best university buildings in the world designed by world-class architects.

Rice University, Moody Center for the Arts

Given the reputation of Rice University as one of the best architecture schools in the United States, it comes as no surprise that they will also have one of the best university buildings. The Moody Center for the Arts was designed by the world famous AD100 architect Michael Maltzan and is worth $30 million. The double brick layer and glass building concept represents collaboration and openness.

University of Bergen, Energy and Technology Building

The University of Bergen is a center for research and innovation with a location that is as prestigious as the university's reputation. Bergen is Norway's second largest city and also the home of Dr. Gerhard Armauer Hansen, whose studies shed more light to the nature of leprosy. The University of Bergen's Energy and Technology Building is no less than impressive as the history of this academic institution whose design was proposed by the Danish architectural firm, Arkitema Architects.

Tsinghua University, Stephen A. Schwarzman College

Tsinghua University's Stephen A. Schwarzman College was designed by the world-renowned Robert A.M Stern. The exterior and interior parts of the building were inspired by the leading British universities as well as popular courtyard houses in China. That's because it symbolizes the synergy of Eastern and Western culture and principles in the world of education.

Columbia University, The Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center

The 14-story Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center of Columbia University is almost made of glass. The architects, New York architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, made use of the limited space. The glass facade allows people outside have a peek at the amazing balance of light and color of the interior. On the other hand, people inside gets a breathtaking view of the Hudson River.

University of Utah, Lassonde Studios

If Columbia's Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center has an all-glass facade, the University of Utah's Lassonde Stuidios has an all-copper one that changes color as time goes by. This $45-million project opened in August 2016 houses the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute which educates some of countries most promising entrepreneurs.Yazdani Studio of Cannon Design also designed it on a grid system allowing easy reconfigurations of the rooms when needed.

Duke University, West Campus Union

London-based Grimshaw Architect did not build West Campus Union from scratch. Rather it restored the 1920s design of the stone facade and added a glass box to give it a modern and spacious look. The result was very impressive and extraordinary with the lighting complementing the design structure of the building.

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