Understanding Japanese Architecture

Livestream Lecture 

Join us for a lecture that will introduce audiences to architecture from Japan and understanding the spaces and buildings designed by Japanese architects. The talk by Dr. Henry Tsang with visuals will be followed with a Q+A.

The livestream talk has ended and took place on Thursday May 6, 2021 at 8:00 PM [EDT].

About Dr. HENRY TSANG

Assistant Professor, Athabasca University, RAIC Centre for Architecture
Registered Architect, OAQ, MRAIC, LEED GA, WELL AP
B.Sc.Arch (McGill), M.Arch (McGill), Ph.D (UTokyo)

Dr. Henry Tsang is an award-winning architect and assistant professor in the RAIC Centre for Architecture at Athabasca University in Alberta. His design and research projects investigate the social, cultural, and environmental impacts of architecture in the context of Canadian and Asian cities. In particular, he is a subject matter expert of Japanese Architecture.

After earning his B.Sc.Arch. and M.Arch. at McGill University in Montreal, he furthered his studies at the University of Tokyo completing a Ph.D. in architecture, as a MEXT Monbukagakusho Scholar. After graduation, Henry practiced as an architect at one of Japan’s most prominent design firms, Nihon Sekkei Inc. Being fluent in English, French, Chinese and Japanese, he was deployed to the company’s International Architectural and Urban Design Division, where he worked on Official Development Assistance (ODA) construction projects as a design consultant to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). His major projects include the Gunma Prefectural Cancer Centre in Ota, Japan, the Ronghui Onsen Hot Springs Resort in China, and the University of Indonesia’s Health Sciences’ Campus & Hospital in Indonesia, among numerous others. Following the 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Henry also played a significant role in the post-disaster reconstruction efforts in Tohoku; and later served as board director to Emergency Architects of Canada.

Committed to training future generations of socially responsible architects, Henry started his teaching career in 2013 as a lecturer and director at Herzing College’s sustainable architecture program. In 2015, he was appointed as a visiting assistant professor at Keimyung University in South Korea. Since then, he has been speaking regularly at major local and global conferences, such as TEDx and United Nations’ talks; and colleges & universities worldwide.

Henry is recognised for his leadership and contributions to architecture and education, winning the National Association of Career Colleges’ Educator of the Year Award in 2015; Robert Fung International Award of Distinction in 2018; and Canadian Architect Award of Excellence in 2020 with MoDA for the design of the new Calgary Japanese Community Centre.

An avid ambassador of Japan-Canada relations, he holds the roles of current President of the University of Tokyo Alumni Association of Canada, board member of the MEXT Japanese Scholarship Alumni Association of Canada, and board member of the Ship for World Youth Alumni Association of Canada. Henry also practices Yosakoi dance and performs with his troupe YOSOCA across Alberta.