During the 2025 graduation design period, the Department of Architecture at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology was honored to host Professor Norihito Nakatani from the Department of Architecture at Waseda University, Japan, for a guest lecture titled “A World Journey Across Tectonic Boundaries.”
Professor Nakatani used earthquakes and tectonic plates as the starting point to introduce the core concept of “Buildinghood,” emphasizing that architecture should be rooted in local geological conditions and cultural contexts. Drawing from the regional and historical characteristics of materials such as stone, earth, wood, and steel, he reexamined the deep relationship between architecture and civilization. He further proposed a design philosophy that promotes the symbiotic coexistence of human settlements and the natural environment.
The lecture also featured a dialogue between Professor Shih, Chih-Ming of our department and Professor Nakatani. Both are prominent scholars in the fields of architectural history and criticism in Taiwan and Japan, respectively.
During their discussion, they used past recipients of the Pritzker Architecture Prize as examples to highlight that Japanese architects represent one of the most frequently awarded nationalities, with many having been educated within Japan’s domestic academic system. This observation sparked interest among attendees regarding the effectiveness of architectural education in Japan and led to a deeper exploration of the institutional and cultural frameworks that have consistently nurtured internationally recognized architectural talent.
This lecture was rich in content and global in scope. It expanded perspectives on the connections between architecture, geology, history, and culture, while also stimulating diverse reflections on the essence of architecture and the future of architectural education through cross-national and cross-institutional academic dialogue. The event was met with enthusiastic responses and proved highly rewarding for both faculty and students.
Organizer: Department of Architecture, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
Co-organizer: 2025 Graduation Exhibition Planning Committee, Department of Architecture, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology