Good evening, Mrs Carrie Lam, Secretary for Development, keynotes speakers of the conference today, honoured guests and fellow architects.

Our Honorary Secretary Dominic LAM has just given an extensive summary report on the events in the first Quarter and I do not intend to repeat them but would like to just highlight a few items.

My Speech is divided into 2 parts with the 2nd part re-written after the conference today.

To begin with –

The suddenly downturn of the economy has let us to an unexpected termination of many consultancy & construction contracts on site.

We architects have to face the hard facts exposed by the tidal waves of the financial tsunami.

The next 12 months ahead of us will be a dark era for us.

HKIA will seek government views & support on 2 aspects.

Firstly, export of architectural consultancy services to overseas markets.

Secondly, letting out more consultancy & construction projects which will allow not only big but also medium & small consultancy practices to bid.

Your council will do the utmost to look after the best interest of our fellow architects.

The 2nd part of my speech has been revised to echo some of the remarks made by speakers & moderators of the conference ‘Urbanism + Architecture: A Comparative Perspective for the Design of Hong Kong’ today.

Your Council will consider the setting up of:

a) a study group to dialogue with the Building Department to review the Buildings Ordinance in connection with the spatial relationship within the parameters of site coverage, gross floor areas restrictions etc.

b) another study group to dialogue with the Planning Department, taking the changing needs & aspirations of the modern society.

HKIA does envisage the revitalization of the waterfront, sustainability & greening of open space (be it macro or micro in scale)

I was in Fukuoka, Japan this July & much impressed by their horizontal &
vertical greening programme.

I look forward to a city pattern whereby the public & private transports,
(be it vehicular or pedestrian) are weaved-in harmoniously producing land pockets integrated with vibrant human activities, no longer isolated, dead & silent in night time; yet not forgetting our past – our heritage is the foundation of our future.

We, the architects, will do our utmost to promote architectural advancement for
the public.

On a personal note,

- I would like to thank my parents who have gifted me with the best education opportunities that they could afford.

- to my husband & children who have been very supportive of my works for HKIA despite sometime they are jealous of my having “fallen in love” with HKIA

- in fact, my children called me a couple of hours ago including a long distance call from UK by my son, asking if the Conference & Ball were smoothly run.

Lastly, I have a good team of Council members who have already been devoting so much of their time since election 2 months ago in formulating the blue print for the new biennium.

You have elected us to the council & your continuous support will be vital to HKIA. With this, I conclude my speech & wish everyone an enjoyable evening.

Thank you.

Anna Kwong, FHKIA
President, Elect
The Hong Kong Institute of Architects


President Meessage

President Report at the 2nd QGM on 22 June 2009

President Report at the 1st QGM on 26 March 2009

Message from past president Dr Ronald Lu