Amidst the bustling energy of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, stands West Five Teaching Building, or Xi Wu Jiao Xue Lou as it’s known locally. This isn’t just another building. It’s a silent observer, a steadfast presence that has witnessed decades of student life. Xi Wu Jiao Xue Lou has stood for over thirty years, quietly observing the changing seasons and the growth of countless students. Its white exterior walls and terrazzo floors exude a classic charm, a testament to its enduring legacy.
Xi Wu Jiao Xue Lou isn’t as visually striking as some of the newer buildings on campus. Yet, it possesses a unique charm. Built in 1982 by the China Construction Third Bureau Second Company, this five-story structure spans over 9,000 square meters. Its construction cost 1.72 million yuan. The design, by the Huazhong Institute of Technology Architectural Design Institute, speaks to a different era, a time before modern architectural flourishes.
Today, Xi Wu Jiao Xue Lou houses 48 classrooms, primarily serving the engineering departments. Electricity, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, telecommunications, and energy studies all find a home within its walls. Imagine the countless lectures, the exams taken, the friendships forged within these very rooms.
Let’s step inside Xi Wu Jiao Xue Lou. Walking through the first floor, we pass physics labs and demonstration rooms. We continue down the hallway, drawn towards a bright red sign with the number “117”. Inside, we find room 117, a large lecture hall with 260 slightly creaky, wooden seats. This unassuming room has hosted nearly 1800 lectures as part of Huazhong University of Science and Technology’s “Becoming a pillar of the nation” lecture series. Distinguished academics like Yang Zhenning, Du Weiming, Yang Shuzi, and Zhang Kaili have all lectured here. This hall, with a capacity of 200, often overflows with students eager to learn. Some students would even arrive two to three hours early just to secure a seat. This dedication to learning has woven itself into the fabric of campus life. Xi Wu Jiao Xue Lou, a place of learning, a witness to history, and an integral part of the university experience.