Kengo Kuma Leads International Architects Gathering at Feng Chia University's Virtuosi Hall, Sparking New Design Ideas

On the afternoon of the inauguration ceremony of Virtuosi Hall, Feng Chia University's School of Architecture held the international architectural forum "Great Virtuosi Together: Sustainable Dialogue on Education, Architecture, and Design," inviting top international architectural educators to participate. The forum concluded with the announcement of the establishment of the "Kengo Kuma Education Scholarship," providing Feng Chia students with diverse and internationally-oriented learning resources.

The forum brought together several international architectural experts, including world-renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA) Principal Ingrid Schroder, Japan Women's University President Fujiko Shinohara, and Kinki University Vice President Atsushi Iwamae. Experts from various fields engaged in deep exchanges on architectural education, design thinking, and future sustainable development, attracting many architectural professionals and students.

International architect Kengo Kuma (4th from right), Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA) Principal Ingrid Schroder (2nd from right), Japan Women's University President Fujiko Shinohara (2nd from left), and Kinki University Vice President Atsushi Iwamae (1st from left) gathered at Feng Chia University.

Principal Ingrid Schroder discussed the values and visions that architectural design should embody through the four core concepts of "Dream, Hope, Freedom, Resilience." President Fujiko Shinohara shared practical experiences from international architectural workshops, emphasizing that through cross-cultural exchanges, students can gain a deeper understanding of the architectural features and lifestyles of different countries. Vice President Atsushi Iwamae focused on "Healthy Architecture," using the upcoming Japan Healthcare Pavilion at the Osaka World Expo in April as an example to illustrate the importance of architecture to human health.

Master architect Kengo Kuma encouraged Feng Chia architecture students to combine creativity with daily life needs, creating architectural spaces that integrate aesthetics, resilience, and sustainability. He emphasized that architecture is not just about structure and design but is an art that coexists with people, nature, and the environment.

International architect Kengo Kuma encouraged Feng Chia architecture students to combine creativity with daily life needs, creating architectural spaces that integrate aesthetics, resilience, and sustainability in the Birthday Hall of Virtuosi Hall, which he designed.

At the end of the forum, Feng Chia University Vice President Shwu-Ting Lee summarized with "Understanding," encouraging architectural professionals and students to start from understanding the environment, nature, and user needs to maximize the value of architectural expertise. Vice President Lee also announced the establishment of the "Kengo Kuma Education Scholarship," providing Feng Chia University students with more resources for academic and practical development, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience.

This forum not only provided a platform for exchange in architectural education but also inspired deep thinking about architecture, education, and sustainable development. The completion of Virtuosi Hall, the holding of this forum, and the establishment of the "Kengo Kuma Education Scholarship" will inject new vitality into the development of Feng Chia University's School of Architecture and open a new chapter for architectural education in Taiwan.

The international forum "Great Virtuosi Together: Sustainable Dialogue on Education, Architecture, and Design" held by Feng Chia University's School of Architecture was grandly held at Virtuosi Hall, with live broadcasts in multiple classrooms, attracting nearly a thousand architectural industry experts, Feng Chia faculty, students, and alumni.