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The following is a report from Miku Akashi.

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I participated in JaDAS (JaDAS 2025), an international educational program for architectural studies in Denmark. This program is an international initiative where architecture students from universities across Japan form cross-grade teams to propose designs for public spaces and urban environments in real-world locations in Denmark. From August 8 to 27, 2025, for approximately three weeks, a study program was conducted based in Denmark. The core of the program was a workshop focused on an area in Denmark facing social challenges, where we proposed short- to long-term plans for public spaces such as parks and squares to local community-building organizations. While learning about the region's history, background, and social systems, we worked in groups to design architectural and design-based solutions to these issues.

During the training period, I lived with three other participants in a rented apartment. The experience of living in Denmark—sharing daily grocery shopping, meals, and domestic life—was closely linked to the program and served as an important element in developing a perspective on society and life through architecture. I feel that the daily routine itself, such as walking through the city, feeling the atmosphere, and observing how people behave and use spaces, was positioned as an integral part of the learning process.

In addition to the workshop, opportunities were provided to visit architectural firms across Denmark and hear directly from principals and practicing architects about their design philosophies, engagement with society, and project details. Furthermore, there were opportunities to visit other cities in Denmark and Sweden, providing time to experience Nordic urban and architectural culture from multiple perspectives.

What was most striking throughout this training was the nature of "discussion" rooted not just in architecture, but in Danish society as a whole. In Denmark, discussion is not seen as a means of conflict or determining superiority, but as a process of dialogue based on a foundation of high social trust. Under the shared understanding that the other person is sincere and that frank exchanges of opinion will not damage the relationship, differing opinions are respected as valid viewpoints. This culture permeates every aspect of society, including politics, education, and the workplace, and I felt that architectural discussion exists as an extension of that. What JaDAS values is placing oneself within such a society and learning through firsthand experience. Modern society faces unpredictable and complex challenges, such as the pandemic, international instability, climate change, and the rapid advancement of AI technology. In such an era, there are many situations that cannot be addressed by existing knowledge, theories, or information on the internet alone, and the importance of standing on-site, thinking for oneself, and making judgments is increasing. In this program, emphasis was placed on nurturing situational judgment, adaptability, and the empathy to understand others' perspectives through repeated trial and error while engaging in dialogue with local people, experts, and fellow participants. Walking through the streets of Copenhagen with my own eyes and accumulating experiences such as sounds, air, and scents not only deepened my understanding of architecture but also became a significant experience in considering my future studies and career path.

The interaction among participants continues even after the conclusion of the training, and we are connecting our learning to further actions, such as entering design competitions primarily with participants from the Kansai region. Additionally, we plan to hold an exhibition featuring all participants at the end of March 2026. The theme of the exhibition is "Overlapping Perspectives: What Architecture Students Who Experienced Studying in Denmark are Thinking." This exhibition will showcase the differences in society, culture, and architecture between Japan and Denmark, as well as the activities and thoughts we had during JaDAS. Through an exhibition where multiple perspectives overlap, we aim to provide an opportunity for each visitor to re-examine their own perspective. Please feel free to stop by!