The International Program in Architecture and Urban Design (I-AUD), Architecture and Urbanism Program, Graduate School of Science and Technology, held the three-day International Joint Workshop from May 21 to 23 at Surugadai Campus in collaboration with the School of Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC). This workshop is embedded into the I-AUD design seminar course Advanced Design Studio A, is offered as part of the international practical education program, and held for the fifth time.
A total of 53 students participated in the workshop. There were 17 first-year Master’s students and 3 faculty members from I-AUD, and 30 undergraduate and graduate students, and 3 faculty members from UNCC. The students were divided into eight mixed groups and worked on a design proposal focusing on a small alley in Ginza, approximately 60 meters in length, as the project site. In the proposal, each group was assigned one of eight themes—such as openings, facilities, and materials—and conducted field surveys based on their respective themes. Through these activities, they also examined and analyzed the spatial characteristics of Ginza’s historic alleyways.
In the review meeting on the last day of the workshop, after the proposals were presented by each group, there was a lively exchange of opinions together with guest commentators. Although it was a short workshop lasting only three days, all the proposals were made with great drawings and models, showing the results of the solid efforts of each group.
Prior to the start of the workshop, on May 20, Professor TANAKA Tomoaki of the School of Science and Technology delivered a lecture to UNCC students on the ongoing redevelopment of the Shibuya Station Central District. The lecture was held in a meeting room at Shibuya Hikarie, followed by a tour of the public spaces within the five completed redevelopment blocks.
The Shibuya Station Central District redevelopment project, one of Tokyo’s most prominent large-scale urban redevelopment initiatives, attracted considerable interest among the UNCC students and provided them with a valuable learning experience. In addition, Jeffrey Balmer of UNC Charlotte, one of the workshop instructors, delivered a special lecture on May 28. The event was held as part of the I-AUD Evening Lecture Series, a monthly lecture program open to the public. Following the lecture, participants from both universities gathered at a reception, where they had the opportunity to exchange ideas and further strengthen academic ties.
In the future, we hope to expand the scope of cooperation by not only planning short-term workshops and PBL programs, but also planning parallel studios to visit each other at the campuses of both universities.
