Kuala Lumpur Architecture Week debuts with RM2b boost, public installations in Chinatown

• Held in conjunction with the International Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition (Archidex) 2025, the week-long initiative is themed “Reviving the City’s Heartbeat”, aiming to transform old Kuala Lumpur into a walkable showcase of public installations, design trails, sketching sessions and curated food stops.

KUALA LUMPUR (July 21): The inaugural Kuala Lumpur Architecture Week (KLAW) 2025 will draw 56,000 visitors and generate RM2 billion in trade, with events set across public streets and historic parts of the city.

Held in conjunction with the International Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition (Archidex) 2025, the week-long initiative is themed “Reviving the City’s Heartbeat”, aiming to transform old Kuala Lumpur into a walkable showcase of public installations, design trails, sketching sessions and curated food stops.

Housing and Local Government minister Nga Kor Ming said Kuala Lumpur has its own unique identity, but for a city to truly stand out, it must focus on its culture, history, heritage and historic architecture.

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“We don’t want Kuala Lumpur to be just another capital. We want it to stand out, like Milan with fashion or Paris with art,” he said during the press conference at the KLAW walkabout yesterday.

He added that the Housing and Local Government ministry (KPKT) has allocated RM30,000 to the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) to ensure KLAW becomes a long-term branding opportunity for the city.

“This is a celebration of ‘old meets new.’ We aim to preserve our heritage while embracing innovation,” he said.

Nga also added that the government is working on the Kuala Lumpur Heritage Project, which has been entrusted to Khazanah Nasional and is slated for completion by the end of 2026.

“This project, valued at RM700 million, will rejuvenate seven iconic national landmarks, including the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which will be transformed into a hub for Malaysian local brands featuring Ipoh Oldtown White Coffee, Oriental Kopi, Secret Recipe and many more. A destination where tourists can truly experience local cuisine and culture under one roof.

“We also welcome international buyers and investors, not just to promote ‘Made in Malaysia’ but ‘Made by Malaysia’, representing our own brands and innovation. This will boost local industries and create high-paying jobs,” he stated.

Watch out, litterbugs

Meanwhile, he added that he will table the new anti-littering law in Parliament tomorrow, which will require offenders to wear green uniforms and perform 12 hours of public service, including cleaning streets, washing toilets, and maintaining public areas.

“This initiative follows the success of similar enforcement in countries like Sweden, Japan and Singapore.

“Cleanliness is half of faith, and we must make Malaysia a clean, beautiful and fragrant destination,” he explained.

On the other hand, C.I.S Network Sdn Bhd president Datuk Vincent Lim said co-branding with the city reflects a long-term vision to create experiential value beyond exhibition halls.

“It's about making Kuala Lumpur part of the event, and the event part of Kuala Lumpur.

“With Archidex and DATUM [an annual international architectural design conference] drawing in thousands of professionals, KL Architecture Week adds an experiential layer encouraging them to stay, explore, and return not just for business, but for the city,” he said.

Archidex 2025 spans two venues at Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) (July 21 to 24) and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) (July 23 to 26) while KLAW brings the event into Chinatown’s historic streets.

Four installations by young architects mark the trail from scaffolding-as-sculpture at REXKL to a quiet corner at Pik Wah Café, a revived five-foot way at Four Points and an angular passage framing Merdeka 118.

Other highlights include a 10-metre city panorama and a live Sketchcrawl, with selected works shown at Archidex.

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