Nordic Architecture & Design Day: Exploring Wellbeing: Event Report

On Thursday, October 2, 2025, the “Nordic Architecture & Design Day – Urban Design for Wellbeing by the Nordics and Japan” was held at the 3rd-floor conference room of the Nordic Pavilion at the Osaka–Kansai Expo venue.

This event was part of the “Joint Nordic Event” series, jointly organized by the five Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. It brought together knowledge and experience from both the Nordics and Japan to explore new possibilities for sustainable, human-centered urban spaces through architecture and design.

Nordic and Japanese Expertise in Urban Design Converge

The event opened with remarks from a representative of the Embassy of Denmark, followed by a keynote speech by Yuki Ikeguchi of Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Subsequent sessions covered a range of themes including wellbeing, inclusion, connection, sense of belonging, and collaboration. Experts discussed current approaches, challenges, and future visions for urban design in both the Nordics and Japan.

The Nordic countries are global leaders in sustainable architecture and community-based design, while Japan has developed its own culture of valuing human connections through concepts such as Ibasho—spaces where people feel they belong. The event offered a vibrant platform for dialogue on how these two perspectives can be combined to rebuild “trust,” “dignity,” and “connection” within urban environments.

Diverse Speakers and International Perspectives

The program featured a diverse range of speakers and organizations shaping the relationship between people and cities, including Kengo Kuma & Associates, Danish Architecture Center (DAC), Rintala Eggertsson Architects, Studio Puisto Architects, Snøhetta, Gehl, and Nikken Sekkei.
Many of these firms are also engaged in projects in Japan, making the event a meaningful opportunity to explore new collaborations through Nordic and Japanese design and cultural perspectives.

Beyond architecture, international initiatives such as Cities for Better Health and the Copenhagen innovation hub BLOXHUB were also introduced. These examples highlighted the role of architecture and design in realizing sustainable and inclusive future cities.

A Bridge Between Architecture, Design, Government, and Industry

The event brought together not only professionals from architecture and design, but also participants from local governments, industry, and research institutions. By exchanging knowledge between the Nordics and Japan, the day offered a valuable opportunity to envision new approaches to urban living across cultures.