Thinking about the future of architecture with students —— Participated in a review session at an architecture student workshop

On July 20 and 21, 2025, a review session for proposals and a meeting to discuss the implementation of the “Architecture Student Workshop” were held at Yumeshima, the venue for the 2025 Japan International Exposition (Osaka-Kansai Expo). AGB provided special sponsorship for this workshop, dispatched two advisors, and had Chairman Masayuki Sakurai participate as a reviewer.

This workshop is a valuable learning opportunity for architecture students from across the country to interpret the concept and site characteristics of the Expo and take on the challenge of designing a full-scale space. Over the course of two days, the participants shared an intense experience, from site visits to proposal presentations, critiques, and production meetings.

At the review meeting, following a general evaluation by architects including Sou Fujimoto, Chairman Sakurai encouraged the participants to “Create something that can compete with the other pavilions”, while also offering practical advice based on actual construction sites, saying, “Many children will visit the venue, so please give careful consideration to safety issues such as the treatment of edges”.

For AGB, which has embodied the “Balance between Philosophy and Practice” in façade engineering, such on-site dialogue also provides an opportunity to reexamine its relationship with society. Going forward, we will continue to cultivate the intersection of philosophy and practice together with the younger generation studying architecture.