First-year students in Chung Yuan Christian University’s “Oxford Brookes University Dual Bachelor’s Degree Program in Architecture and Urban Design” (OBU Program) recently completed a practical, all-English design review, showcasing the program’s high standards in design and international curriculum. The review, themed “Think Global, Act Local,” involved students collaborating with local businesses in Chung Yuan Night Market, conducting site analyses, interviews, and creating 1:1 scale physical structures for in-depth design and practical application. Since its inception, the OBU Program’s all-English instruction and dual-degree certification have attracted a new generation of parents and students.
The Chung Yuan OBU Program follows Oxford Brookes University’s UK curriculum for architecture and urban design, overseen and accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). Students spend their first two years at Chung Yuan, beginning with architecture studies in the first year and transitioning to urban design in the second, before completing their studies at Oxford Brookes University. Graduates receive dual degrees recognized in both Taiwan and the UK, along with RIBA Part 1 architecture certification or RTPI urban planning certification, depending on their chosen field.
The second cohort of the OBU International Program maintained a 100% enrollment rate this year, welcoming 24 freshmen. Their first architecture design project involved collaborating with local businesses in Chung Yuan Night Market. Working in small teams of 2-3, the students conducted site analyses, interviews, and hands-on construction to create 1:1 scale micro-architectural installations for public use. During their design review presentation, students showcased site analysis diagrams, design illustrations, architectural models, and wood prototypes, all in English.
One team, after assessing the needs of the night market, designed multi-functional furniture serving as both foldable chairs and a bar table for Shisheng Beverage Shop, providing a comfortable and practical outdoor seating area. Made with a wooden frame and foldable structure, the design includes a weather-resistant canopy, allowing for easy storage and optimal space usage. Through case studies and multiple discussions, the students honed their planning skills and material handling. Shisheng Beverage Shop reported increased foot traffic and easier storage, appreciating the students’ creativity and practical solution.
Another team focused on the needs of a clothing store in Chung Yuan Night Market, where students noticed that items were often affected by food odors. In response, they designed a foldable chair with air-purifying functions, using natural materials to mitigate odors. Experiencing the transformation of their design from sketches to a real product deepened their passion for design, and feedback from the store helped them better understand user needs. “This project brought us closer to our second home here at Chung Yuan, and we look forward to creating more meaningful works in the future,” the students shared.
Professor Hsieh Tong-Sheng, Director of the UK OBU Dual Degree Program, expressed high praise for the freshmen’s ability to achieve such quality and quantity in just five weeks, noting the difficulty of the task. He emphasized that hands-on projects require the support of specialized courses, including Introduction to Architectural Design, Architectural Expression, and Woodworking. Through these courses, students not only bridged textbook knowledge with real-world design applications but also learned to engage with local culture and embrace social responsibility.
Chung Yuan Christian University’s OBU International Program has garnered significant attention from students and parents due to its unique 2+2 international teaching model. Data from the “University Question” website shows that, despite being established for only two years, the program ranks 11th in the “Architecture and Design” category and is in the top quarter nationally for popular discussions and search rankings among similar departments. The program’s competitive edge in architectural design is attributed to its structure, with the first two years at Chung Yuan and the final two years at Oxford Brookes University in the UK, along with its fully English-taught curriculum, which appeals to the new generation of students and parents alike.
The College of Design at Chung Yuan Christian University highlighted that the “Oxford Brookes University Dual Bachelor’s Degree Program in Architecture and Urban Design” offers a unique professional teaching model in Taiwan, tailored to meet the growing international demands of the architecture and urban design market. Moving forward, Chung Yuan plans to strengthen collaborations with local businesses and industries to provide OBU program students with more practical experience and to infuse design education with a fresh international perspective.
