Hon no Mori Chuo Hosts Exchange Event for 'Middle & High School Architecture Competition Challenge Project' by a.school and Rui Sekkeishitsu
Rui Sekkeishitsu and a.school held a joint event on April 19, 2026, at the library they designed to foster future architects through workshops and professional mentorship.
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- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 19:00
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Rui Sekkeishitsu Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka; CEO: Yusuke Iwai) and a.school Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo; CEO: Takuma Iwata) held an exchange event for the 'Middle & High School Architecture Competition Challenge Project' on Saturday, April 19, 2026. The event took place in the multi-purpose hall of 'Hon no Mori Chuo' (Chuo City Library), a facility for which Rui Sekkeishitsu provided the architectural design. Approximately 30 participants, including competition winners, registered students, and 'Kodomo Kenchiku Juku' students, gathered both in-person and online.
### Voices from Participating Students
- 'Exploring Hon no Mori Chuo gave me many new ideas I've never had before. I'm not good at drawing, but I found it fun once I tried.' (7th grader)
- 'I'm glad I heard about the thoughts that went into creating this library. Meeting peers who aspire to be architects was very stimulating.' (9th grader)
- 'I had never done sketching before, but I'm glad I learned how. I want to draw more at home and visit this library again.' (8th grader)
- 'It was great to finally meet online friends in person and share our passion for design and insights from the building!' (12th grader)
### Event Highlights: A Library Born from the Wish for an Urban Oasis
Students toured the facility, commenting that the stairs made it feel like an adventure and that the shelf heights allowed them to see deep into the collection, fostering new encounters with books. Michihiko Yamane, a first-class registered architect from Rui Sekkeishitsu, explained, 'The client wanted a library that would be an oasis in the heart of the city. We reinterpreted the concept of a "forest" into the design.' Kenji Sato, another lead architect, shared his aspiration: 'I want to create architecture that makes everyone involved happy.'
### Sketch Workshop
Following the tour and Q&A session, students challenged themselves with a sketch workshop using 'Hon no Mori Chuo' as their subject.
### What is the 'Middle & High School Architecture Competition Challenge Program'?
This project merges Rui Sekkeishitsu's long-standing architectural expertise with a.school's advanced inquiry-based learning methods. It aims to foster the ability to 'ask questions and create answers collaboratively'—skills essential in modern society.
### Background of 'Kodomo Kenchiku Juku'
- **Osaka:** Over 3,700 participants over 3 years, maintaining over 90% satisfaction.
- **Tokyo:** Over 300 participants since its full launch last year, with a 97% satisfaction rate.
### Addressing the Architect Shortage
According to the Japan Federation of Architects & Building Engineers Associations, as of April 2023, approximately 70% of first-class registered architects are in their 50s or older. The industry faces a serious labor shortage due to the declining birthrate.
### Voices from Participating Students
- 'Exploring Hon no Mori Chuo gave me many new ideas I've never had before. I'm not good at drawing, but I found it fun once I tried.' (7th grader)
- 'I'm glad I heard about the thoughts that went into creating this library. Meeting peers who aspire to be architects was very stimulating.' (9th grader)
- 'I had never done sketching before, but I'm glad I learned how. I want to draw more at home and visit this library again.' (8th grader)
- 'It was great to finally meet online friends in person and share our passion for design and insights from the building!' (12th grader)
### Event Highlights: A Library Born from the Wish for an Urban Oasis
Students toured the facility, commenting that the stairs made it feel like an adventure and that the shelf heights allowed them to see deep into the collection, fostering new encounters with books. Michihiko Yamane, a first-class registered architect from Rui Sekkeishitsu, explained, 'The client wanted a library that would be an oasis in the heart of the city. We reinterpreted the concept of a "forest" into the design.' Kenji Sato, another lead architect, shared his aspiration: 'I want to create architecture that makes everyone involved happy.'
### Sketch Workshop
Following the tour and Q&A session, students challenged themselves with a sketch workshop using 'Hon no Mori Chuo' as their subject.
### What is the 'Middle & High School Architecture Competition Challenge Program'?
This project merges Rui Sekkeishitsu's long-standing architectural expertise with a.school's advanced inquiry-based learning methods. It aims to foster the ability to 'ask questions and create answers collaboratively'—skills essential in modern society.
### Background of 'Kodomo Kenchiku Juku'
- **Osaka:** Over 3,700 participants over 3 years, maintaining over 90% satisfaction.
- **Tokyo:** Over 300 participants since its full launch last year, with a 97% satisfaction rate.
### Addressing the Architect Shortage
According to the Japan Federation of Architects & Building Engineers Associations, as of April 2023, approximately 70% of first-class registered architects are in their 50s or older. The industry faces a serious labor shortage due to the declining birthrate.
FAQ
Who designed 'Hon no Mori Chuo'?
Rui Sekkeishitsu Co., Ltd. was responsible for the architectural design of this Chuo City library, designed as an 'urban oasis'.
Who is eligible for the architecture program?
The programs primarily target elementary, middle, and high school students. The 'Competition Challenge' is specifically for middle and high schoolers.
What is the goal of Rui Sekkeishitsu's education division?
The goal is to provide children with access to 'authentic' work experiences and foster problem-solving skills, while addressing industry labor shortages.