Nagoya Zokei University: Innovative Arts Campus by Riken Yamamoto

Nagoya Zokei University of Art and Design relocated its campus from Komaki to Nagoya in 2022, strategically positioned next to Meijo Park and Nagoya Castle. The campus is directly connected to Meijo Koen Station, creating seamless urban integration. Designed by Riken Yamamoto, the campus spans the station itself, effectively functioning as a bridge that divides the site into east and west zones. The bridge section houses an expansive top-floor studio measuring 88 by 88 meters, offering an open, collaborative space for artistic exploration.

This relocation enabled a major academic reorganization, consolidating nine traditional courses into five innovative fields: Art Expression, Visual Literature, Community Area Design, Community Sense Design, and Representation Design. Unlike previous divisions based on medium or skill, the new structure emphasizes the purpose of art and design activities and their audience, fostering cross-disciplinary learning.

The centerpiece of the university, the large studio, functions as a dynamic shared workspace. It encourages interaction among students from different disciplines, reflecting the school’s philosophy of collaboration, experimentation, and creative dialogue. With thoughtful architectural design and a strategic urban location, Nagoya Zokei University exemplifies the intersection of contemporary architecture, arts education, and community engagement.

All photographs are works of  Shinkenchiku Sha, Shigeru Ohno