Nurturing Future Architects: The Students' Architectural Competition Exchange Event

On April 19, 2026, an inspiring event took place at the "Hon no Mori Chuo" multi-purpose hall in Chuo, Tokyo, organized collaboratively by a.school and Rui Sekkei. This event was part of the "High School Students Architectural Competition Challenge Project," aimed at nurturing the next generation of architects. Around 30 participants, including winning students and applicants of the competition, gathered to engage in this enriching experience.

Students' Voices

Participants expressed their excitement, sharing thoughts about their experience:

- Middle School 1st Year: "Exploring Hon no Mori Chuo sparked numerous unnoticed ideas. Although I’m not great at drawing, I had fun trying it out!"
- Middle School 3rd Year: "I appreciated hearing about the design considerations for Hon no Mori Chuo. Meeting like-minded peers aspiring to be architects was inspiring!"
- Middle School 2nd Year: "I hadn't sketched before, but I learned how to. I want to sketch more at home and come back to this library!"
- High School 3rd Year: "I'm thrilled to connect with friends I've only met online, sharing insights on design and our reflections on Hon no Mori Chuo!"

Across the board, students conveyed their joy in meeting aspiring architects from all over Japan and gaining valuable insights from the event.

Event Highlights

The Hon no Mori Chuo was designed with the intention of becoming an 'urban oasis' library. Students shared their reactions during their tour:

- "The various stairs made it feel like an adventure!"
- "The bookshelf heights were not overwhelming, allowing a clear view."
- "The ingenious arrangements of stairs and shelves facilitate new encounters with books."

Architects involved in the design, Yoshihiko Yamane and Kenji Sato, shared their visions. Yamane reflected, "The clients expressed a desire for a library to serve as an oasis in the city. That led us to rethink the concept of 'forest' in the building design." Sato echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the aspiration to create architecture that brings happiness to everyone involved. The atmosphere at the venue became lively with these discussions!

Sketching Workshop

Following the insights from the architects and the tour, students took part in a sketching workshop based on Hon no Mori Chuo. This hands-on activity allowed them to translate their observations and ideas into art.

About the Architectural Competition Challenge Program

This initiative combines Rui Sekkei's extensive architectural design expertise with a.school's innovative exploratory learning approaches. It aims to nurture the skills necessary to pose questions independently and collaboratively create solutions—essential qualities for future architectural professionals.

Previously, Rui Sekkei had provided numerous opportunities for children to engage with authentic architectural work through its educational program, the Children's Architecture School. As a result of this collaboration, they are now confident in providing a more dedicated and student-centered learning environment that evolves around each child's interests.

Past Achievements of the Children’s Architecture School

Over 3,700 students have participated in the Children's Architecture School in Osaka, maintaining a satisfaction rate of over 90%.
Additionally, more than 300 students joined the Tokyo Children's Architecture School after its official establishment last year, achieving a satisfaction rate of 97%!

The Need for Future Architects

Japan faces an alarming shortage of architects, with over 70% of licensed architects being over the age of 50. As average demographics shift and fewer younger individuals enter the field, Rui Sekkei recognizes its responsibility to cultivate the next generation of architects.
Moreover, Japan anticipates a shortage of IT personnel by 2030. Balancing both digital and real-world skills is essential for effectively engaging with architectural practices today. The Children's Architecture School emphasizes experiential learning, incorporating activities such as scale modeling and hands-on design challenges to cultivate a well-rounded skill set.

Conclusion

Rui Sekkei aims to not only train the architects of tomorrow but also to usher in a new era of innovative learning experiences. By bridging real-world applications with theoretical principles, they envision education that empowers students to thrive in the architectural landscape of the future.

Company Overview

Rui Sekkei, committed to designing a vibrant society, operates with the mission of being a strategic partner in shaping dynamic spaces for the 21st century while actively engaging in reforms in education and agriculture.

- Mission: Designing a vibrant society.
- Company Name: Rui Sekkei
- Established: 1972
- CEO: Yusuke Iwai
- Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
- URL: Rui Sekkei