Archidex 15th instalment at KL Convention Centre

KUALA LUMPUR: The International Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition Malaysia (Archidex) will be holding its 15th installation from June 25 to 28 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

“This year Archidex marks a milestone for us as we celebrate our 15th instalment of a hugely successful exhibition that has grown in size, strength and influence,” said Datuk Vincent Lim, president of CIS Network Sdn Bhd.

CIS is the joint organiser for Archidex together with the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM).

“Not only has Archidex become the most anticipated annual event in the architecture and building industry, it has evolved as an exciting and strategic ground for industry professionals across the region to gather,” he said.

Two new additions to this year’s event will be the New Product and New Eco Product Award.

Some of the nominees for the New Product award are Bi-Fold King by V One Industries Sdn Bhd, Design Art Panels of 4321 Design by Ansana and Hubble Spotlight by Alfo Lightings Sdn Bhd.

For the New Eco Product award the nominees are Cork Coffee Table by After Before Sdn Bhd, Ekous-Recycled Acoustic Panel by Taz Corporation Sdn Bhd and Finodoor by Finopeous Packaging Industries Sdn Bhd.

The event is part of a pillar of six major events; the 16th Asian Congress of Architects (ACA 16), a major biannual architecture conference hosted by PAM, the 35th Council Meeting of Architects Regional Council of Asia (Arcasia), Datum: KL International Architectural Design Conference, Kuala Lumpur Design Forum (KLDF), Green Building Forum (GBF), and Professional Practice Forum (PPF).

This will be the third time that the ACA will be hosted in Malaysia since 1986 and 2000. The theme for this year will be “Rejuvenation”, a theme chosen to stimulate, inspire and provoke the mind about the future of global architecture and launch lively debates, said Ar Chan Seong Aun, president of PAM and organising chairman of ACA 16.

“Over 5,000 participants are expected for the ACA16 conference which we envisage to be the definitive regional event for architecture, design and arts.”

Arcasia president Ar Tan Pei Ing was also keen to highlight the topic of responsible architecture.

“It’s not just about building buildings. It’s about being mindful of the culture, country and what the people want” said Tan. “Many designs are now about modernisation and foreign infrastructure. And after some time, the feedback I get is that the buildings are falling apart and buyers are not happy.”

She added that architects and developers alike, as well as other parties involved, need to play their part in creating a better environment for the people.

The 17 countries participating this year include Austria, Australia, China, Estonia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia.

The exhibition has seen 1,250 exhibition booths taken up by almost 552 local and international companies which will be spread out across nine exhibition halls.

From left: Lim, Tan and Chan at the launch of Archidex in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.