Welcome Messages

Architectural Institute of Japan President, Toru Takeuchi

I am delighted that the 14th International Symposium on Architectural Interchanges in Asia (ISAIA), hosted by the Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ), is being held in person. This strong feeling of gratitude that we have passed through the painful period of the COVID-19 pandemic and will be discussing matters face-to-face is due to the fact that our research theme is “spaces.”
 
This symposium originated when it was planned as a project to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the founding of the Architectural Institute of Japan in 1986, and we have now reached the fourteenth symposium. Hosted jointly by the three academic societies of the Architectural Institute of Japan, Architectural Institute of Korea (AIK) and the Architectural Society of China (ASC), the objective of the symposium is the furtherance of architecture and international exchange through researchers, architects and technicians in the Asian region. It is a truly wonderful opportunity for the presidents and executives of the three institutions to meet under the same roof and deepen the good relations between them.
 
This 14^th symposium is being held in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. Around 150 years have passed since Tokyo became the capital of Japan. Prior to that the city of Kyoto served as Japan’s capital city for over 1,000 years. Over those long years many political power conflicts occurred, and through trade with Asia and Europe new cultures were born in cities, towns and architecture. Whatever the day and age, I think that as long as people are living among them, cities, towns and architecture are mirrors that reflect the times as the bedrock of their existence.
 
On the other hand, in the contemporary society of the 21^st century we are surrounded by the globalization of everything, including economics and information, natural disasters such as the frequently occurring large-scale earthquakes, typhoons and floods et cetera, global warming and environmental crises, pandemics and wars. We live in an environment of hitherto unknown dangers and complexity. What sort of architecture should we create in this situation? And what can architecture do in this sort of environment? We are confronted on a daily basis with these fundamental questions.
 
We have taken “Architect-ing What?” as the theme for this symposium, keyword that encapsulates this awareness of problems. Furthermore, widely arousing debate about the “Rethinking of Human Existence” is also a part of our plans for this symposium.
 
In closing, I would like to express our sincerest thanks to everyone at the Architectural Institute of Korea and the Architectural Society of China for their cooperation in the symposium preparations, and all the participants for their tremendous efforts and support. I fervently hope that the symposium will prove to be a meaningful and enjoyable opportunity for one and all.

Architectural Institute of Korea President, Jin Chul Park

It is a great pleasure and an honor for me to welcome you, on behalf of Architectural Institute of Korea(AIK), to the 14th International Symposium on Architectural Interchanges in Asia(ISAIA).
First of all, I would like to congratulate you on the 14th ISAIA in Kyoto in 2024, which will be organized by AIJ and co-hosted by AIK and ASC. I am especially pleased that it will be held in Kyoto, an ancient city with 1200 years of history in Japan, where we can reflect on the meaning of architecture.
Recently, the world has been experiencing a severe climate crisis, and especially in the last four years, our ISAIA meetings have been canceled or replaced by online zoom meetings due to the corona-19 pandemic.
Now that the pandemic is coming to an end, we are pleased to announce that we will be meeting a new conference, “Architect-ing What? Rethinking the Foundations of Human Existence”, I think the Kyoto Symposium will remain a cherished memory for a long time.
In addition, I personally feel that I have a strong connection with ISAIA, starting with my first participation in the 3rd Symposium in 2000 in Jeju Island, Korea, at the beginning of the millennium. I also participated in the 6th in Daegu, the 7th in Beijing, the 8th in Kitakyushu, the 9th in Gwangju and the 10th in Hangzhou.
I also participated in the 11th symposium in Sendai as vice president of AIK. And, just before the pandemic, the 12th in Pyeongchang, and Kyoto this year, I have attended this symposium a total of 9 times now.
I am especially honored to participate in 2024 as my first official international event as the new AIK President, as we have submitted more than 80 academic papers to this symposium, and about 150 participants, including honorary presidents, officers, and their families.
Once again, I would like to congratulate you on organizing the 14th ISAIA Symposium, our first face-to-face meeting after six years since the pandemic. I would also like to thank all the participants from Japan, China, Korea, and other countries for their enthusiastic support. Finally, I would like to commend and applaud AIJ President Toru Takeuchi, Organizing Committee Chairman Norio Maki, and all those involved in making the Symposium a success.
Thank you very much.

Architectural Society of China President, Xiu Long

Distinguished guests, dear delegates,
I am very pleased to gather with you all in Kyoto, Japan to participate in the 14^th International Symposium on Architectural Interchanges in Asia (14^th ISAIA). First of all, on behalf of the Architectural Society of China, I would like to extend sincere greetings and best wishes to all the guests presenting here!
The ISAIA was first held in Japan in 1986. Since then, the Architectural Society of China(ASC),the Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ), and the Architectural Institute of Korea (AIK) have collaborated with each other for 38 years. Previous ISAIAs have focused on the hotspots and difficulties in the development of architecture industry in the Asia region, with academic, forward-looking, innovative, and guiding goals. The symposiums have paid special attention to the most cutting-edge academic thoughts, technological achievements, and social hot topics in the architecture and related industries, invited  top-notch scholars in Asia and even internationally to give speeches, shared the latest academic achievements and innovative ideas, promoted international exchanges and cooperation of science and talents, and lead the new direction of architectural culture development.
2022 witnessed the 13th ISAIA which was held in China. The attendees of architecture industry conducted researches and exchanges on healthy city and healthy living, which made positive explorations for building a harmonious environment and creating a happy life. This year, the 14th ISAIA held in Kyoto, Japan will be of great significance. Focusing on the theme of “Architect-ing What?”, experts and scholars will exchange and discuss various topics including ancient architecture protection, historical heritage, urban renewal, post disaster reconstruction, and overseas practice. We believe, this symposium will contribute new ideas and explorations to the prosperity and development of the architecture industry.
In recent years, with the rise of new generation information technology, we have ushered in a new round of industrial transformation, and the construction industry is faced with unprecedented opportunities and challenges. What we can do is to seize the opportunities of the times and achieve new achievements by strengthening exchanges and collaboration, actively adapting to the trend of the times, grasping the direction of world technological development, and achieving human well-being in the end. ASC will continue to work together with AIJ, AIK, and academic organizations from other countries and regions to enhance communication and cooperation, making new contributions to the prosperity and development of the Asian and even global architectural industry, thus creating a better and happier life.
Finally, we would like to express our special gratitude to AIJ, AIK, and relevant parties for your efforts in successfully organizing 14^th ISAIA. We wish the symposium a complete success and wish everyone good health, smooth work, and all the best.
Thank you!