Architecture in Asia


Image of Singapore
Spend 3 weeks traveling throughout Asia visiting architectural sites of historical and modern significance.
Location: Singapore, Malaysia and Japan
Language of Instruction: English
Term: Winter Break
Academic Disciplines: ArchitectureDesignGraduate Courses
Program Type: Faculty-led
Open to non-KU Students: No
Fulfills KU Core 4.2: No
Fulfills KU Core 5: No

  • Discover amazing modern architecture in the megacities of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo
  • Visit cutting-edge architecture firms in Singapore, Malaysia and Japan

     

Dates: 

Depart Kansas City: December 26, 2024

Arrive in Singapore: December 28, 2024

Singapore: December 28, 2024 –January 3, 2025

Malaysia: January 3-7, 2025

Japan

  • In Osaka, Japan: January 8-13, 2025
  • In Tokyo, Japan: January 13-18, 2025

Depart Tokyo and arrive in the U.S.: January 18, 2025

**DO NOT BUY AIRFARE UNTIL NOTIFIED BY KU STUDY ABROAD. 

Countries: 

Students will spend approximately 6 days in Singapore, 5 days in Malaysia and 11 days in Japan. Most of the program will consist of planned group activities along with some free time.

Visits in Singapore (6 days): 

Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority and Museum; Marina Bay Sands by Moshe Safdie;
Helix Bridge; National Library by Ken Yeang; Shopping Mall by Toyo Ito; LaSalle College of Art; School of the Arts; 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 Temple; Garden by the Bay; Public Housing Designs Phases 1, 2, and 3; Singapore Flyer; Henderson Waves; and visits to architecture/design firms

Visits in Malaysia (5 days): 

Kuala Lumpur: Tropical Critical Regionalist Residential projects by Jimmy Lim and Razin Mahmood; Petronas Towers; University of Petronas by Norman Foster; Menara Mesiniyaga Tower by Ken Yeang; Kota Iskandar Urban Development Project; Administrative Capital of Putrajaya; National Mosque; Bamboo House; The POD and Malls in Damansara; Batu Caves Hindu Temple; Arc Rimbayu; Lantern Hotel; Chinatown; Penghulu Traditional Malay House and visits to architectural firms.

Visits in Japan (11 days)

Osaka (Namba Parks by Jerde Partnership; Chikatsu-Asuka 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 and 21-21 Design Gallery by Tadao Ando; Tama Art Library, Mikimoto, 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; and visits to architecture firms and many other historic and contemporary architecture.

Academic Information: Courses & Credits

5 Year Master of Architecture Students who entered KU before AY 2022-2023 will enroll in:
•    Arch 690 Study Abroad (5 Credits)
•    Arch 692  Documentation (3 Credits) 

5 Year Master of Architecture Students who entered KU in or after AY 2022-2023 will enroll in:
•    Arch 690 Study Abroad (6 Credits)

2 or 3 Year Master of Architecture Students will enroll in:
•    Arch 690 Study Abroad (6 Credits)

Interior Architecture Students will enroll in:
•    IA 690 Study Abroad for Interior Architecture (5 credits)

Architectural Engineering Students will enroll in:
•    Arch 690 Study Abroad (5 Credits)

Students will stay in centrally located hotels in Singapore, Malaysia 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.

Program Cost for Architecture in Asia

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
Department of Architecture
jdchang@ku.edu

Kapila D. Silva Ph.D., Professor & Associate Dean 
Department of Architecture
kapilads@ku.edu