In times of economic, environmental, and societal challenges alongside pressures of technological change, we as architects must refocus on what we do best: responding to human emotions, nature, lived experience, and aspirations through innovation in humanistic spatial design. The HKIA 70th Anniversary International Symposium will explore values of humanity in the built environment amid these challenges and opportunities. What meaning can architects create through our creative imagination? How will architectural innovations reshape our approach to community, sustainable resilience, and heritage while preserving cultural identity, and strengthen social cohesion? What innovative measures and generative design solutions can optimize sustainability and safety, not merely for efficiency, but as a moral imperative to design responsibly and strengthen our communities? How can the extraordinary capabilities of artificial intelligence free us from repetitive tasks, enabling us to focus on what is truly meaningful for us as human beings?
Tainan Spring, Tainan
Photo ©Daria Scagliola
Tripolis Park, Amsterdam
Photo ©Ossip van Duivenbode
The Pyramid of Tirana, Tirana
Photo ©Ossip van Duivenbode
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam
Photo ©Ossip van Duivenbode
Rotterdam ROCKS!, Rotterdam
Photo ©MVRDV
PARKROYAL Collection Pickering, Singapore
Photo ©Patrick Bingham-Hall
Punggol Digital District, Singapore
Photo ©Darren Soh
BRAC University, Dhaka
Photo ©Prantography
Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore
Photo ©Darren Soh
Kampung Admiralty, Singapore
Photo ©Darren Soh
In Bamboo, Daoming, Sichuan
Wuzhen “Light of Internet” Convention Center, Zhejiang
Radisson Collection Resort, Jiangsu Horticultural Expo Park, Nanjing
“Heart of Yong’an” Mountain Village Hub, Yunlong, Yunnan
“Rui Xue” Multi-hall, Tianfu Agricultural Expo Park, Chengdu
Hong Kong Design Institute, Hong Kong
Photo ©Sergio Pirrone
Maroquinerie de la Sormonne, Ardennes, France
Photo ©Gautier Deblonde
Bao’An Public Art Center, Shenzhen
Photo ©KRIS PROVOOST
France Pavilion, Osaka World Expo 2025, Osaka
Photo ©JulienLanoo
Public Administration Cluster, Tirana, Albania
Photo ©Olivier Campagne
Yoon Dong-ju Memorial Museum, Seoul
Photo ©Kim Jaekyoung
Sunginjae, Sungin Park, Seoul
Photo ©Chinhyosuk
Baebongsan Forest Library, Seoul
Photo ©Chin Hyosuk
Nowon Garden Support Center, Seoul
Photo ©textureontexture
Suwon Jigwan-Seoga, Suwon
Photo ©Chinhyosuk
Architecture and Nature/Sustainability
Net-zero architecture is no longer merely a technical metric of carbon offsets and energy modeling; it is a vital, living dialogue between our built environment and the natural world. True sustainability must extend beyond high-performance systems to embrace local cultures, traditional ecological knowledge, and deep community relationships. By viewing decarbonization through a holistic, place-based lens, architects can harmonize modern environmental technology with vernacular wisdom—ensuring that our path toward a net-zero future preserves regional identity, enriches biodiversity, and strengthens social cohesion.
Eden Project Scotland, Dundee
Aga Khan Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mzuzu Clinic, Malawi
RSC Building, Hainan
Concept WRRF, Yixing
Maona Village Center, Hainan
Barwon Water – Adaptive Regenerative Reuse, Victoria, Australia
Photo ©Trevor Mein
The Hub, GHD Brisbane – the Future of Work, Queensland, Australia
Wurun Campus – Catalysing Urban Learning, Victoria, Australia
Photo ©Trevor Mein
InnoCell, Hong Kong Science Park
Chung Chi Student Development Complex, CUHK
Jockey Club i-Village, HKUST
Architecture and AI/Humanity
As artificial intelligence, computational design, and digital workflows rapidly transform practice, the scope of architectural agency is expanding faster than ever before. Yet, the true potential of these emerging tools lies not in automating output, but in augmenting human intuition, creativity, and empathy. This dialogue explores how architects can harness advanced digital capabilities to solve complex spatial challenges while firmly keeping human judgment, cultural nuance, and ethical responsibility at the center of the design process.
AI-generated Study Image
Commune Store, Wuyi Mountain
Commune Store, Wuyi Mountain
Commune Store, Wuyi Mountain
Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art, Suzhou
Shenzhen Qianhai International Hub Center – Prisma Towers T7T9, Shenzhen
CopenHill (Amager Bakke), Copenhagen
The Bund 186, Shanghai
Diamond Hill Water Feature Park, Hong Kong
15 Holland Hill, Singapore
Architecture and Society/Community
Architecture is fundamentally a civic and social practice whose truest measure lies in the human lives it touches. In an increasingly dense and fast-paced urban landscape, prioritizing public spaces, community participation, and everyday rituals is essential for collective physical and mental well-being. By positioning placemaking and spatial justice as core architectural priorities, we can design inclusive, resilient, and human-centric environments that foster a deep sense of belonging and elevate the quality of civic life for all generations.
Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong
International Convention Centre (ICC), Sydney
CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Else Kuala Lumpur
Photo ©David Yeow
Jelutong House, Kuala Lumpur
Pasar Besar
Photo ©Heart Patrick
Huangpu River Waterfront Strategy, Shanghai
Kenny Heights Climate-Resilient Masterplan, Kuala Lumpur
Siem Reap Central Framework, Cambodia
Chinese Medicine Hospital (CMH) and Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI), Hong Kong
The Centennial Campus & Tech Landmark Development of the University of Hong Kong
Taikoo Place Development
24/11
A.M.
Location
Hopewell Hotel
19/F, Crystal Court &
Pre-function Area
Guest of Honour
Mr. John Lee Ka-chiu GBM, SBS, PDSM, PMSM
Chief Executive, HKSAR Government
Keynote Speaker
Winy Maas, MVRDV
Panel
Rachel Sayers, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Song Yehao,
School of Architecture, Tsinghua University
Jane Cassidy, GHD Design
Panellist
Ivy Lee, Leigh & Orange Architects
Moderator
Bryant Lu, Ronald Lu & Partners
P.M.
Location
Hopewell Hotel
21/F, Emerald Pavillion
Keynote Speaker
Wong Mun Summ, WOHA
Keynote Speaker
Philip Yuan,
The College of Architecture and
Urban Planning, Tongji University
Panel
Richard Breslin, Populous
Adela Askandar, Studio Bikin
Maria Gal Tkacova, Gehl People
Panellist
Johnnie Lai, Wong & Ouyang (HK)
Moderator
Sarah Mui, One Bite Design Studio
25/11
A.M.
Location
The Hong Kong Palace Museum
LG/F, Auditorium hall
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Keynote Speaker
Thomas Coldefy, Coldefy & Associates
Keynote Speaker
So-Jin Lee, LEEON Architects
Panel
Robert Levit,
John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture,
Landscape, and Design, University of Toronto
Frankie Lui, Atelier Glow
Susan Du, Bjarke Ingels Group
Panellist
Chris Che, P&T Group
Moderator
Donald Choi, Urban Renewal Authority
To bridge the 70A symposium N.O.W (Net-Zero, Opportunities and Wellbeing) with actual urban execution, three comprehensive guided tours are curated to showcase Hong Kong’s architectural landmarks, public spaces and innovations.
Language: Cantonese complemented with English
25/11
Tour A
As part of the HKIA 70th Anniversary Symposium Day 2 afternoon excursion, this exclusive tour offers the opportunity to explore the Art & Cultural zones of West Kowloon Cultural District’s premier architectural landmarks. Experience Rocco Design Architects’ spatial interpretation of classical Chinese aesthetics at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, Herzog & de Meuron’s civic forum at M+, and Zaha Hadid Architects’ fluid, transit-oriented civic space at International Gateway Centre—showcasing how world-class architecture shapes vibrant public realms along Victoria Harbour.
26/11
Tour B
As part of the HKIA 70th Anniversary Symposium day 3 morning excursion, this exclusive tour offers the opportunity to explore the surrounding parklands and open spaces of the landmark Kai Tak Sports Park Complex. Beginning with an introduction at the Kai Tak Gallery, the walkthrough guides participants through the expansive green areas framing Kai Tak Stadium, Central Square, and East Village, concluding with a glimpse of the Kai Tak Promenade: showcasing how world-class sports architecture integrates lush public parks, civic gathering grounds, and waterfront connectivity along Victoria Harbour.
Tour C
As part of the HKIA 70th Anniversary Symposium Day 2 morning excursion, this exclusive tour offers the opportunity to explore the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP), which is located in the Innovation and Technology Zone of Northern Metropolis. The HSITP is the one-of-a-kind I&T park conjointly tied to Shenzhen. It takes advantage of the unique, synergistic development of “One Zone, Two Parks” equipped with supportive government policies, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and pioneering research facilities.
Q1
The Hong Kong Institute of Architects 70th Anniversary International Symposium 2026 is themed “Architecture N.O.W.! Building Net-zero, Opportunities, and Well-being.” Marking seven decades of architectural excellence, the Symposium brings together local and international industry leaders, urban planners, and experts to explore cutting-edge solutions in net-zero design, sustainable opportunities, and human-centric architecture.
Q2
The Symposium takes place over two days at two distinct venues in Hong Kong, as well as online for virtual participants:
Q3
The official spoken language of the Symposium is English. Traditional Chinese content options and supporting materials will also be available on the platform.
Q4
We offer flexible ticket options tailored to your attendance preference:
Q5
Yes, a maximum of 4 tickets can be purchased per transaction across all ticket types.
Q6
Early Bird registration closes on 23 October 2026. Standard physical pass sales run until 24 November 2026 (or until venue capacity is reached). Virtual passes remain available for purchase through 24 November 2026.
Q7
The Symposium program is structured into three key themed sessions across the two days:
Q8
Yes. If you are unable to attend both days, you can purchase a 1-Day Pass for either Day 1 (24 November) at HKD 250 or Day 2 (25 November) at HKD 150.
Q9
We offer three curated architectural tours as optional add-ons (HKD 200 per tour). Both in-person and virtual pass holders are eligible to add tour bookings to their tickets:
Q10
You can select and purchase your desired tour(s) during the online registration process as an add-on item. Due to strict capacity limits, bookings are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q11
Upon successfully purchasing a Virtual Pass (HKD 200), you will receive a confirmation email containing your unique webinar access link. Simply click the link at the scheduled session times to tune in live.
Q12
Yes. The platform features an interactive Q&A tool allowing virtual participants to submit questions to speakers during each session.
Q13
Q14
For inquiries regarding registration, corporate bookings, accessibility needs, or general event support, please contact the HKIA Secretariat via email (hkiasec@hkia.org.hk) or visit the official HKIA 70th Anniversary website (www.hkia70a.hk).