In a study topic entitled "Program for practicing comprehensive designs that connect people, buildings, cities, and nature", particular important districts, in terms of the 21st century, will be selected for enhanced pilot projects to formulate practical design guidelines. Each building must be carefully designed so as to create a rich culture and beautiful living environments. These are intended to incorporate the climate and culture of the particular district. The department has organized its undergraduate and graduate educational programs by constructing practical ground designs for creating living environments where people, buildings, cities, and nature, which constitute a district, can mutually interact and harmonize over long periods of time. These ground designs can be used as a golden opportunity for young researchers, graduate and undergraduate students to practice their designing skills.
There are three study themes that support this study topic: "Socialization program of scenery and architectural design through social cooperation", "Sustainable construction and scenery environmental program" and "Architectural and scenery culture supported by engineering technology program".
Socialization program of scenery
and architectural design through social cooperation
The program aims to construct a database for the Japanese city scenes, understand their historical changes, and derive methods for protecting and creating new scenery. A system that simulates cooperative activities with residents is included in this process.
and scenery environmental program
Based on acquired knowledge on air-conditioning systems that use solar heat, resource-recycling houses, and regeneration technologies for utilizing natural energy, the program will lead environmental technology studies in terms of achieving safety and comfort. Disaster prevention technologies that contribute to the restoration of historic city scenery will also be studied.
Architectural and scenery culture
supported by engineering technology program
The program aims to establish building production system techniques and ensure building safety, both of which are indispensable in the creation of superior designs. The program will research and develop effective structural systems both during and after earthquakes, as well as recycling and maintenance methods, and highly durable materials.
Attempts to educate architectural design specialists
The existing cooperative relationship with universities in foreign countries will be enhanced and developed into official joint studies. Workshops will be held periodically, to which internationally active architects and world-leading researchers will be invited. Daily communication with leading architects and researchers, along with young researchers from other countries will help young researchers and graduate students to understand the importance of information exchange, discussion, dissemination of results to the world, and practical execution.
Today, the specialist architectural field has enlarged to encompass all areas of the world. In 1999, the International Union of Architects (UIA) established a framework for the mutual recognition of an international architect's license. The education of future architects, who will be internationally active, requires educational bodies that will construct organizations and facilities that will provide practical training on architectural design. The department is making continual efforts to collect funds and secure facilities, and is playing a central role in promoting an international architecture exchange education program for the next generation based on experiences gained in various Asian environments. The department is actively conducting joint studies and student exchanges with educational institutions with common issues, such as Peking University, Tongji University (China), Hanyang University, Kyung Hee University (Korea), University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong), National University of Singapore (Singapore) and Chulalongkorn University (Thailand).