Architecture in Asia
- Discover amazing modern architecture in the megacities of Singapore, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Osaka, Himeji, and Tokyo
- Visit cutting-edge architecture firms in Singapore, Taiwan and Japan
- Check out the experience from a student's POV
Dates:
Depart Kansas City: December 26, 2025
Arrive in Singapore: December 27, 2025
Singapore: December 27, 2025 –January 3, 2026
Taiwan: January 3-8, 2026
Japan
- In Osaka, Japan: January 8-13, 2026
- In Tokyo, Japan: January 13-18, 2026
Depart Tokyo and arrive in the U.S.: January 18, 2026
**DO NOT BUY AIRFARE UNTIL NOTIFIED BY KU STUDY ABROAD.
Countries:
Students will spend approximately 7 days in Singapore, 5 days in Taiwan and 11 days in Japan. Most of the program will consist of planned group activities along with some free time.
Visits in Singapore (7 days):
Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority and Museum; Marina Bay Sands and Changi Jewel by Moshe Safdie; Helix Bridge by Philip Cox; National Library by Ken Yeang; Shopping Mall and Mass Timber Business School by Toyo Ito; LaSalle College of Art by RSP Architects; School of the Arts, Oasis Hotel, Park Royale Hotel, Admiralty Community Center and Pan Pacific Orchard Hotel by WOHA; Red Dot Design Museum; Bugis Junction Shopping Mall Preservation Project; Subway Station Design Tour; Walk around Clark Quay, Boat Quay, Orchard Road Shopping District, and Chinatown; New Chinese Buddhist Temple; Apple Store by Noman Foster; CapitaSpring by BIG; Gardens by the Bay by Grant Associates and Wilkinson Eyre Architects; The Hive by Thomas Heatherwick; Public Housing Designs Phases 1, 2, and 3; Singapore Flyer; Henderson Waves; and visits to architecture/design firms.
Visits in Taiwan (5 days):
Taipei: Taipei 101 Tower by C.Y. Lee and C.P. Wang; Tao Zhu Yin Yoan Twisting Residential Tower by Vincent Callebaut; Chiang Kai Shek Memorial by Yang Cho-Cheng; National Palace Museum by Huang Baoyu; New Taipei City Art Museum, Darma Drum Mountain Nung Chan Monastery and Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center by Kris Yao; Taipei Music Center by Reiser+Umemoto RUR; Lin A Tai Historical House and Museum; Bopiliao Historic Street Restoration; Weekend Flower, Jade, and Art Markets; Nightlife Districts and markets, and Lungshan Temple.
Taichung, Tainan and Chiayi: Asia University Museum of Modern Art in Taichung by Tado Ando; National Taichung Theater by Toyo Ito; National Palace Museum Southern Branch in Chiayi by Kris Yao; Museum of Prehistory and Han Pao-Teh Memorial Museum in Tainan by Kris Yao; Tainan Spring by MVRDV.
Kaohsiung: National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts-Weiwuying by Francine Houben (Mecanoo); Dadong Arts Center by MAYU and de Architekten Cie; Great Harbor Bridge by Lin Wan-Jen and Studio Hou; the restored Dayi warehouse district; Kaohsiung Music Center by Manuel Monteserin; Lotus Pond and temples; Port Cruise terminal by Reiser + Umemoto.
Visits in Japan (11 days)
Osaka (Namba Parks by Jerde Partnership; Chikatsu-Asuka Museum, Sayamaike Museum, Rokko Housing, Mount Rokko Chapel, Church of the Light, Suntory Museum, and RAIKA Headquarters by Tadao Ando; Kansai Airport by Renzo Piano; Umeda Sky Tower by Hiroshi Hara); Himeji (World Heritage Site of Himeji Castle; Museum of Literature, Water Temple and Awaji Island Urban Design Project by Tadao Ando)
Nara (World Heritage Sites of Todai-ji Temple, Toshodaiji Temple, Heijo Palace, Kasuga Taisha Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, and Deer Park)
Tokyo (1964 Olympic Pavilions and St. Mary’s Chapel by Kenzo Tange; Collezione Omotesando Hills and 21-21 Design Gallery by Tadao Ando; Tama Art Library, Mikimoto Ginza, and TOD’s Omotesando by Toyo Ito; PRADA by Herzog & de Meuron; National Art Center and Nakagin Capsule Tower by Kisho Kurokawa; Nezu Museum, Suntory Museum, Asakusa Heritage Center, new Olympic Stadium, and Baiso-in Temple by Kengo Kuma; Tokyo University Library by Shigeru Ban; Musashino Art University Library by Sou Fujimoto; Hoki Museum by Nikken-Sekkei; Senso-ji Asakusa Kannon Temple and surroundings); Azabudai Hills by Heatherwick Studio; Tokyu Plaza by Hiroshi Nakamura and visits to architecture firms and many other historic and contemporary architecture.
5 Year Master of Architecture Students who entered KU before AY 2022-2023 will enroll in:
Arch 790 Study Abroad (6 Credits)
Arch 699 Documentation (2 Credits)
5 Year Master of Architecture Students who entered KU in or after AY 2022-2023 will enroll in:
Arch 590 Study Abroad (6 Credits)
2 or 3 Year Master of Architecture Students will enroll in:
Arch 790 Study Abroad (6 Credits)
Interior Architecture Students will enroll in:
IA 690 Study Abroad for Interior Architecture (5 credits)
All other majors will enroll in:
Arch 590 Study Abroad (6 Credits)
Students will stay in centrally located hotels in Singapore, Taiwan and Japan.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
This program is open to all KU and non-KU students who have completed their first year of study. Priority is given to KU Architecture students who have completed ARCH 208 or ARCH 502 and Interior Architecture students who have completed IA 208.
Jae D. Chang is a Professor and Associate Dean at the School of Architecture & Design of the University of Kansas. He received his Master and Doctorate in Architecture from the University of Michigan. Dr. Chang has worked with universities and companies in the US and internationally on research in healthy environments and environmentally responsive design.
Kapila D. Silva is a Professor and Associate Dean at the School of Architecture and Design at the University of Kansas. He has taught at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, from where he received a doctorate in architecture, and at the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka, from where he received professional architectural education. Dr. Silva has published several books on heritage conservation and management related to UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in the Asia-Pacific region.
For more information contact:
Jae D. Chang Ph.D., Professor & Associate Dean
Department of Architecture
jdchang@ku.edu
Kapila D. Silva Ph.D., Professor & Associate Dean
Department of Architecture
kapilads@ku.edu