The Department of Architecture at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) is pleased to invite Professor Ryuichi Ashizawa from the Department of Environmental Architecture at Shiga University of the Arts, Japan, to give a lecture and participate in the final review of the senior students’ graduation design projects.
The lecture, titled GROUNDING_EARTH, PEOPLE & ARCHITECTURE, explored how architecture can interact with nature, society, and human life from the perspective of environmental architectural design. Professor Ashizawa emphasized that architecture should be rooted in the land, closely integrated with the surrounding environment, culture, and social needs, to create meaningful and sustainable designs.
In his talk, Professor Ashizawa also offered advice on how young students can cope with budget constraints during the design process. He pointed out that students with limited budgets do not necessarily need to rely on expensive materials; instead, they should look for inspiration from the natural environment. Local terrain, climate, plants, and regional culture can all become valuable materials in architectural design. He encouraged students to observe, understand, and make use of the natural resources around them, using these elements to create works that are both aesthetically valuable and harmonious with the environment.
Furthermore, Professor Ashizawa highly praised the enthusiasm and innovative spirit of the NTUST students. He believes that their passion and commitment to architecture are the most valuable resources in design. Whether it’s the perseverance in facing design challenges or the unique creativity expressed in their work, this passion can serve as an important driving force for future growth. He encouraged students to maintain their exploration and enthusiasm for architecture, constantly push boundaries, and transform their love for architecture into practical design power.
This lecture and review not only provided much inspiration to the students but also motivated them to keep an open mind in their design journey, be bold in innovation, and apply what they’ve learned in future architectural practice for continued growth.
Organizers: College of Design, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology / Department of Architecture, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
Co-organizer: Graduation Exhibition Preparation Committee, Department of Architecture, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
