From July 22 to August 1, faculty and students from Yuan Ze University’s Department of Art and Design traveled to Japan to take part in an 11-day international architectural design workshop with the Department of Architecture at Tokyo University of Science.
Led by faculty member Chia-Hui Lo, the delegation included both graduate and undergraduate students who collaborated closely with architects and students from Japan, the United States, Europe, and other regions, engaging in deep cross-cultural dialogue and design collaboration.
Chia-Hui Lo explained that the workshop focused on themes such as "spatial installations, materials, and architectural narratives." Working in multicultural teams, students jointly developed design proposals through field research, design development, model making, and final presentations. The program not only enhanced their creative thinking and practical skills but also honed their abilities in international communication and teamwork. Several Japanese architects and scholars were also invited as guest lecturers and critics, sharing cutting-edge professional experiences and academic insights, which helped foster transnational design thinking.
The workshop strengthened Yuan Ze University’s partnerships with international academic institutions and provided students with a platform for global learning and creative exchange. Third-year undergraduate student Kuan-Chen Huang shared that the international experience was highly rewarding, offering exposure to diverse cultural approaches to design and team collaboration. The workshop also gave her a clearer understanding and direction for her future development in architectural design.
Department Chair Chu-Ching Lin noted that the international exchange not only allowed students to experience Tokyo’s architectural environment and cultural context firsthand but also inspired fresh design perspectives and ideas through interactions with peers and faculty from diverse backgrounds. The Department of Art and Design had already begun discussions with Tokyo University of Science on future collaborative plans and was actively working toward signing an MOU to establish a long-term academic partnership, aiming to continually broaden students’ global outlook and professional impact.
The Department of Art and Design at Yuan Ze University has long been committed to promoting international learning and interdisciplinary practice. In addition to its ongoing summer design program in Bologna, Italy, the department expanded this year to include the international architectural workshop in Tokyo. Through diverse academic and cultural exchanges, the program sought to broaden students’ global perspectives, enrich their hands-on experiences, and cultivate design talents with international competitiveness.