NUK Partners with Kio University for International Timber Architecture Design Program, Strengthening Taiwan–Japan Architectural Education Exchange
2026-03-04
To deepen international academic collaboration and professional architectural education, the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) organized an overseas learning program during the winter break. Led by President Chen Chi-Jen and Associate Professor Chen Yi-Chao from the Department of Architecture, NUK students traveled to Japan to participate in the 2026 International Timber Architecture Design Program. The event was jointly organized with Kio University and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, combining design workshops, academic lectures, and cultural field studies to demonstrate NUK’s commitment to global mobility and practice-oriented architectural education.
Kio University has been an important sister institution of NUK, and both universities have maintained long-term academic cooperation through recurring collaborative programs such as workshops and historical settlement studies in Asuka Village. Through years of mutual visits and joint initiatives, the institutions have built a stable international teaching platform that allows students to engage with architecture and cultural preservation issues in real-world historical settings. This timber architecture program represents a further extension of that long-standing partnership.
Cross-Border Timber Design Workshop Showcases Student Excellence
During the workshop, faculty and students from all three universities gathered in Nara Prefecture for an intensive design studio focused on timber residential design. Centered on Japan’s traditional timber post-and-beam construction techniques, the project theme—“My Home”—challenged mixed teams of students to develop design concepts, build physical models, and deliver final presentations in English.
Following professional jury evaluations, two NUK student teams stood out among numerous proposals and earned second and fourth place awards. Judges praised the students for their strong structural logic, spatial storytelling, and thoughtful cultural interpretation, highlighting the strength of NUK’s architectural training and international competitiveness.
Faculty members from Taiwan and Japan also delivered lectures on the history of timber architecture, construction techniques, and cultural contexts, helping students understand how climate conditions and lifestyles influence housing forms and material choices. The program concluded with all-English presentations and professional discussions, providing students with a rigorous and rewarding international learning experience.
President Chen noted that organizing overseas professional workshops during academic breaks helps broaden students’ international perspectives while strengthening communication skills and interdisciplinary teamwork in cross-cultural environments. The students’ strong performance on an international platform further demonstrated the capabilities and potential of NUK’s architecture program.
From Historic Timber Structures to Contemporary Design
Beyond studio work, the program also included visits to traditional timber architecture sites and World Heritage landmarks in the Nara region. Through firsthand observation, students explored the historical evolution and cultural significance of timber construction.
At traditional villages and religious structures, students examined beam and column proportions, mortise-and-tenon joinery systems, and spatial organization—gaining insight into the cultural values embedded in timber architecture from material, structural, and philosophical perspectives.
Associate Professor Chen Yi-Chao emphasized that timber architecture represents not only engineering techniques but also the accumulation of culture and history over time. By integrating design practice with field studies, students developed a more comprehensive understanding of how traditional construction methods can be translated into contemporary architectural design, while also strengthening awareness of sustainable materials and low-carbon architecture.
Building Long-Term International Networks for Future Architects
Students shared that the exchange significantly enhanced their English communication skills, design integration abilities, and understanding of Japanese timber architecture and history. Thanks to the long-term trust built between sister institutions, students and faculty from all three universities were able to collaborate in a highly professional yet welcoming environment, forming valuable international academic and personal networks.
The 2026 International Timber Architecture Design Program represents not only a successful design workshop but also a meaningful milestone in NUK’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships and advance professional education.
Moving forward, NUK will continue expanding academic collaboration with universities in Japan and across Asia to cultivate future architects equipped with cultural literacy, sustainability awareness, and global perspectives.
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