The Department of Architecture at Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) has partnered with HCG, one of Taiwan’s leading sanitary ware manufacturers, to integrate real-world industry experience into its first-year architectural design curriculum. Marking HCG’s first collaboration with an architecture program in Taiwan, the partnership introduces students to industry practices through product workshops, factory visits, professional design critiques, and a design competition. By exploring bathroom design from the perspectives of user needs and spatial planning, students develop creative thinking alongside practical design and spatial integration skills.
Recognized for its long-standing commitment to product innovation, quality, and sustainability, HCG has actively supported the development of future design talent through university partnerships and design competitions. Its collaboration with CYCU reflects the company’s confidence in the University’s architectural education and its commitment to fostering the next generation of architects through industry engagement and student awards.
Launched in 2026, the partnership was established by Professor Ching-Hui Tsai and led by Associate Professor Tung-Sheng Hsieh together with the first-year design teaching team. The program integrates classroom instruction with factory visits, field-based learning, professional design reviews, a student competition, and a final exhibition, creating a comprehensive industry-integrated learning experience.
The collaboration centers on bathroom space design and a future vision for the CYCU Cultural and Creative Park in 2034, guiding students from small-scale spatial design to broader architectural and urban thinking. Beginning with ergonomics, user experience, and spatial planning, students progressively integrate materials, lighting, structure, circulation, and site context before developing pavilion proposals that envision the future of public space and urban environments.
Associate Professor Tung-Sheng Hsieh noted that first-year architectural education focuses on building strong design foundations. By incorporating real industry requirements, HCG products, technical resources, factory visits, and joint design reviews into the curriculum, the program bridges theory and practice while strengthening students’ understanding of professional architectural design and industry expectations.
The collaboration culminated in the 2026 HCG × CYAR Design Competition and the Department of Architecture’s 66th First-Year Final Exhibition, “OVERLOAD: Vision 2034—A Living Lab in Chung-Yuan Cultural & Creative Park.” Showcasing projects ranging from public bathroom design to experimental architectural proposals, the exhibition highlighted students’ creativity, spatial thinking, and technical integration. Sponsored by HCG, the competition also recognized outstanding work with awards totaling more than NT$30,000, encouraging continued innovation in architectural design.
Representing HCG, Associate Vice President Kuo-Tung Lee and Section Chief Ting-Kang Chiu attended the event on behalf of Chairman Po-Chun Chiu and General Manager Shih-Chieh Chen, serving as award presenters and engaging with students during the exhibition. They praised CYCU’s innovative approach to integrating bathroom systems into first-year architectural design education, emphasizing that contemporary architecture requires the integration of technology, user experience, and sustainability. They also encouraged students to balance creativity with practical thinking and develop interdisciplinary design capabilities.
The Department of Architecture at CYCU noted that its partnership with HCG demonstrates how industry resources can enrich foundational architectural education. By combining academic learning with real-world practice and industry engagement, the collaboration enhances students’ learning experience while offering a model for industry-integrated design education. Looking ahead, the department will continue to advance innovative teaching approaches that prepare future architects with professional expertise, practical insight, and a strong sense of social responsibility.
