Takaharu Tezuka

The Department of Architecture and the Center for East Asian Studies welcome Takaharu Tezuka for his lecture, "Architecture For Sharing." This lecture explores the role of architecture in cultivating inclusivity and collective experience.

Fuji Kindergarten is often recognized for its iconic oval-shaped roof — a form celebrated around the world. Yet, architecture is not defined by shape alone. In this case, the oval form symbolizes a deeper philosophy: the idea of sharing. It represents a space where boundaries dissolve and wisdom emerges through communal experience.

Fuji Kindergarten has become a turning point in the global conversation on education. It exemplifies the shift from simply accumulating knowledge to cultivating wisdom. While knowledge is a personal tool, wisdom arises when that knowledge is shared for the greater good.

The lecture will begin with Fuji Kindergarten and unfold through a series of diverse projects, each grounded in the principle of inclusivity. Participants will discover how architecture can serve as a catalyst for social connection, empathy, and shared growth.

Takaharu Tezuka is a Japanese architect who founded the Tokyo based firm Tezuka Architects with his wife, Yui Tezuka in 1994. Tezuka studied architecture at Musashi Institute of Technology in Tokyo, Japan and the University of Pennsylvania where he received his Master of Architecture degree.

Tezuka Architects set out on a pursuit not just in designing architecture, but in changing the world for the better through the means of architecture. The firm believes that architecture is not merely an object, but holds the power to change people's lives and societies. The very first project for Tezuka Architects was the design of "Soejima Hospital", which received the Good Design Gold Award from METI and the Annual Architectural Design Commendations from AIJ. They design with special focuses on spaces for children. "Fuji Kindergarten" has been selected as the best school in the world by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. It has also received the Architectural Institute of Japan Award and the Japan Institute of Architects' awards.

If you require any accessibility accommodation, such as live captioning, audio description, or a sign language interpreter, please email news@design.upenn.edu. Please note, we require at least five (5) business days’ notice.