This year marks the fifth anniversary of the start of Y-GSA, the only graduate school in Japan with a special educational program for training architects. Y-GSA belongs Department of Architecture and Urban Culture of a new graduate school, "Urban YNU. " It is hoped that here, a new domain of architectural studies based on the city will be organized, one that differs from other departments of architecture in Japan which have belonged to faculties of engineering or art.
In the studios at Y-GSA, we take note of the context of the city in which we live. It is becoming difficult to create closed, autonomous works of architecture as in the past. There is demand for an architecture that is thoroughly open to and a part of society. At Y-GSA, diverse, open discussions are held in which all can take part as equals. I believe such a fair and open environment will give rise to a new architecture.
