Time flies. My 2-year term as your HKIA President will end in a few days as 2022 comes to a close. My heartfelt gratitude to members who have participated in HKIA activities and continued their engagement in advocating Architecture for All in our community. My thanks to all of you for your unending support in the last two years which enables me and my Council to advance the objects of the Institute to raise the standard of professional architectural services and advance architecture while providing services to the public under the Institute’s vision and mission. We experience the passing of time because of change as Aristotle claims that there is no time without change. Life is not static and “change is the law of life”. As our Institute looks beyond the present unprecedented disruption by Covid-19 and the acceleration of technological advancement, I hope the Institute’s refocused purpose and the change impetus in the last two years, including a newly renovated HKIA office workplace cum members’ social hub, would help HKIA to face the ongoing challenges in our ever-changing architectural profession.
When this Council came to office some 2 years ago, we announced our pledge to serve not only HKIA members, clients, and business partners, but also the public. As such, we aim to make HKIA more relevant to our members, our profession, and our society. And I am proud to say that my Council members have strived with our best efforts to fulfil our commitment and we have indeed walked the talk amidst challenging times exacerbated by the lingering pandemic. I would like to take this opportunity to especially thank all my Council peers and the Secretariat, without whom we would never be able to offer so many meaningful and impactful programmes to our members, the profession, the construction industry, and the community. Reflecting on the past two years, some events have been particularly meaningful to me which I would like to share with you.
To reflect on the humanity side of architects, HKIA has worked with many community organizations, including the Society for Community Organization, the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council, Caritas Hong Kong, and North District Secondary School Headmasters Conference. During the fifth wave of Covid in early 2022, our members showed our caring of the community when the HKIA volunteer group delivered anti-pandemic supplies, test kits and daily necessities to underprivileged families. Under the theme of “Architecture for People人人建築” to celebrate our Institute’s 65th Anniversary, the “Humanity Bank” initiative was established and some 53 submissions on members’ works of humanity have been documented, exhibited, and published. In collaboration with MOViE MOViE on the Movie Festival: Life is Art, architectural movies were selected to celebrate the influential impact of architecture in everyday life. The movies were shown not only in cinemas and on TV/online, but also with community screenings and post screening sharing sessions led by HKIA members. Furthermore, an Architectural Micro Film Competition 2022 has been launched to invite the creation of 3-5-min. micro films to showcase the essence and spirit of Hong Kong Architecture. The registration will end on 15 January 2023 and the submission deadline is 28 February 2023.
To celebrate the HKSAR’s 25th Anniversary, a series of offshore exhibitions were organised with the theme “Beyond: Made, Make, Making” to showcase Hong Kong’s architectural excellence to the world. Exhibitions were successfully organised in Hangzhou, Beijing, and New York and the exhibition is currently in Hong Kong for public viewing at Asia Society and the Mills. The 2022 Hong Kong Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture (Hong Kong) exhibition, “Seeds of Resilience”, was curated by a group of talented young architects, and was shown at three locations, namely Central Market, North Point Ferry Pier and Star Ferry Piers (both Central & Tsim Sha Tsui), bringing architecture to the community’s daily life. Various design competitions were also successfully concluded, including the Design Competition for Transformation of Sensory Garden at Kwun Tong Promenade and HKIA 65th Anniversary Student Ideas Competition Post-Covid [ ] Space. Overall, the achievements in the past two years have been a collective effort by members, various Boards, and Committees with the relentless support from the Secretariat. Despite such achievements, there were shortcomings which I , and only I, am responsible for.
As I have mentioned on many occasions, HKIA is made up of members, without dedicated members, especially the younger members’ active involvement, the Institute will not have a bright future. Again, my profound gratitude to everyone who has devoted her/his/nonbinary time and energy to advance architecture and the work of the Institute.
I am also in debt to the various Band 1, 2 and 3 practices, for their frank sharing in three early morning breakfast meetings as well as the candour opinions, not all with agreeable words, expressed on various professional practice issues in HKIA’s dealings with different government agencies. Some of the topics included Yau Ma Tei Mong Kok Old District Renewal, Study on Artificial Islands in the Central Waters of the Lantau Tomorrow Vision, streamlining the application procedures for architectural technicians of HKIA Registered Practices to apply for BIM Co., optimising the environmental impact assessment process, streamlining development-related statutory processes, using BIM for building plan submission, enhancing construction productivity with MiC, DfMA, and digitalization, more self-certification responsibility for registered professionals, and preserving the Bishop Hill Underground Cistern and other heritage sites. The active exchange of views with the Government and practices, including the common problem of “fee diving” in government jobs, shortage of manpower in the architectural profession and the construction industry, and concerns on the Government’s planned implementation of the Security of Payment (“SOP”) legislation, has enhanced understanding among the Council, members, and practices on the discussions needed to improve our professional practice and advance architecture in Hong Kong.
Looking ahead, my greatest wish will be seeing our profession continues to fulfil its social contract to act as a custodian of our built environment and create innovative architecture to improve the quality of life in Hong Kong. Architects should continue to expand our role to go beyond the traditional professional practice. Many of our members are now working in uncharted territories like software coding, AI assisted design, product manufacturing, development management, construction technology, curatorship, collaborative community facilitation, and government policy making. “Change is the law of life” which applies not only to people but also to institutions like HKIA. We must learn, adapt, and innovate. To avoid strife between our profession and the public, we must step out of our comfort zone and create more shared value for all. We must reshape our outmoded practice for the 21st century construction industry and continue our transformation journey to align with the change in our society. We must make architecture relevant to our community!
Last but not least, my congratulations and welcome to our 2023-2024 Council under the leadership of President Benny Chan. I am sure that you, like me, will fully support Benny and his Council. They have a heavy workload ahead and your participation in HKIA activities would go a long way towards an effective HKIA. Together, our Institute can grow stronger and be an influential voice in our community on how Hong Kong can excel as a prosperous, caring, sustainable, and liveable city. Our architecture can be a source of inspiration for all. As responsible architects, we can build a better world not only for ourselves but also for future generations.
Wishing you a happy holiday season and a successful 2023!
Dear Members,
I would have completed my 2-year tenure as President of The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) by the end of today (31 December 2020). I extend our congratulations to Donald Choi, the new incoming President and also his incoming 2021-2022 HKIA Council. I wish Donald and all his Council Members success in advancing further on architectural and professional excellence for our Members.
Elected as the President for the 2019-2020 term, I and my Council Members made great efforts via various approaches to promote architectural excellence, while embracing new thinking to tackle the many dynamic professional challenges during the period.
Together with the HKIA Council, I have been striving to promote professional excellence.
Locally the HKIA Council has organised various gatherings with the media and Legislative Councilors on different issues ranging from urban planning, statutory challenges and matters related to our profession. HKIA have also made continuous use of various platforms to promote HKIA’s stance and professional views on local urban and architectural issues such as our responses to the latest Policy Address 2020.
In order to enhance and maintain Hong Kong architecture industry’s professionalism, HKIA Council Members have paid particular attention to the promotion of enhanced CPD programme such as AP workshops, intensive seminars on local latest legislations related to our profession, and new technologies such as BIM and DfMA.
For Registered Practices and Members, HKIA have been in constant dialogue with the HKSAR Government and Mainland counterparts, laying the foundations for enhanced business opportunities in the Greater Bay Area. One latest example is the Qianhai practice registration for our Band 1 and 2 firms, as well as Members’ personal registration.
Taking the pandemic challenge as our opportunity, HKIA have improved communication with our Members through more social media channels such as Facebook Live Chat, Webinar and other online methods. We have also made good use of the online channels to deliver seminars and CPD programmes.
Most significantly, a focused effort was also made to support the new generation of upcoming architects by securing more opportunities for participation in “real build” design competitions in both Hong Kong and the Mainland. Examples included the competitions for Entrance Gateway for Lunar New Year Fair, Tide Gauge Station, DesignInspire in Hong Kong, and Qianhai design competition. More competitions for young talents and new practices are in the pipeline.
In overseas, HKIA have organised architectural exhibitions in London and Los Angles (first ever in the United States) as well as in the Mainland and other Asian cities such as for the CSDAS (Cross-Strait Architectural Design Symposium and Awards), UABB (Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture) and Venice Biennale Exhibitions.
Final but not least, I will continue to devote myself to support the incoming HKIA Council. I wish Council 2021–2022 a great success. And I wish all HKIA Members, who have offered the Institute staunch support, a prosperous and healthy New Year!
Felix LI
FHKIA, Registered Architect, APEC Architect
各位會員:
新春伊始,於此謹代表理事會同仁,恭祝大家庚子吉祥!金鼠迎春!
學會一年一度的週年晚宴剛在一月十三日舉行,逾四百會員及嘉賓聚首,賓至如歸。席上,我與大家回顧了學會在2019年的工作及活動,一年來,活力充沛的理事會同儕積極推展業界事務,並推動一眾會員參與,凝聚業界力量。
展望未來一年,社會面對民生、經濟的挑戰,學會及一眾會員無可避免亦會受影響。然而,正如聰慧機靈、生命力強的「金鼠」,業界如能抓緊機遇,信會實現「鼠兆豐年」。我和理事會同儕定必繼續努力推動會務,在香港經濟不景下,更會積極為會員爭取更多工作機會,特別是在大灣區及一帶一路地區發掘更多機遇。今年四月,學會將主辦一帶一路論壇,邀請內地及亞洲建築業界代表參與,藉此機會推薦會員的國際建築設計經驗,以期進一步拓展會員在亞洲的業務。此外,學會將繼續為會員爭取更多參與本地設計比賽的機會。我們期望各會員積極參與各項活動。
理事會剛就過去一年的工作進行分析,尤其是秘書處的工作量及學會的財政壓力,以期作出優化或改善。統計發現,2019年秘書處總共參與近一千項學會會議和活動,工作量之大可想而知。此外,可能不少會員善忘,學會已經五年沒有增加會員年費,面對五年來的通貨膨脹,兼要推動各式活動以應會員需求,必須有良策應對。除了恪守多年來各屆理事會採取的謹慎理財原則外,我上任後其中一項目標,便是利用科技優化秘書處的工作、減輕工作壓力,並且達致在會員人數不斷增加下,仍可控制秘書處人數,長遠而言更希望能精簡人手。因此,我們已於2019年購買一些科技產品協助秘書處的工作,並且準備向政府的創新科技局申請資助,引入新科技提升工作效率。
同時,各理事及事務部主席亦就一年來的活動成效及會員接受程度作出分析,以期今年的活動精益求精,並簡化會議流程,一方面希望能減輕秘書處工作量及學會財政壓力,另方面為會員提供更切合他們需求的服務和活動。我在此呼籲各會員多參與學會活動和工作、多提供協助和意見,好讓學會不斷進步!
最後,本人謹代表理事會同儕再度祝賀各會員蝠年身體健康!工作順利!事事遂意!闔家歡樂迎蝠年!
香港建築師學會會長
李國興建築師
(只有中文版本,Chinese version only)
Dear Members,
It is Christmas and New Year time again and half term for our Council too. It is also a good time to communicate with you all on top of our Facebook Live Chat!
From the outset of our Council term, all our planned events such as HKIA first-ever London Arts Exhibition under the London Festival of Architecture, Architecture Exhibition in Los Angeles, Great Bay Area visit with our members, public engagement project of Co-Vitalise Our Heritage, Exploring HK’s Living Style and Cultures Through Architecture Exhibition and Design Talk especially for our young members, Cross-Strait Architectural Design Symposium and Awards 2019 and Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture Hong Kong 2019 went successfully with great exposures for HKIA overseas and locally.
Also, we have voiced out HKIA stance on local architectural and practices issues through media interviews and press releases. Furthermore, we have constant dialogues with relevant government departments to share our members’ inspirations on government policies. To support our members on Continuous Professional Development (CPD), we have organized the HKIA first BIM Accreditation for our Members with architectural focus and re-structured our CPD seminars with more focus on practicing knowledge such as AP workshops, PRC regulatory update and latest technology related to our industry.
For overseas events, Council and I have attended a number of conferences such as RIBA International Presidents Round Table to strengthen architects’ influences on sustainability and government policies making, ARCASIA Council to introduce HKIA works for the society, and last but not least the Canberra Accord Council Meeting where HKIA has been accepted as one of the Signatory Members for Accreditation Body.
In the last few months, we have experienced unprecedented events too. Many of the Institute’s planned events have to be adjusted, re-scheduled or even cancelled. The Council has been working closely with our secretariat on handling challenges arising during this period. Fortunately, one of our most important events HKIA-ARB Professional Assessment (PA) examination in November had been completed smoothly. Majority of the PA candidates attended their examinations and the PA workshops could go well as scheduled in 2020. Here I would like to thank Professional Assessment Committee and secretariat for their efforts.
Sadly to say that during 2019 HKIA has lost two of its most influential Past Presidents Dr. Tao Ho and Professor Barry Will. The Institute had organized a Memorial Seminar for Dr. Tao Ho on 17 August 2019 and supported a memorial event named “Celebration of Life” for Professor Barry Will on 9 October 2019. Both of them will be missed forever for their contributions to our HKIA and Hong Kong.
For 2020 we are planning to have more design and build competitions for our members to showcase their talents, develop their implementation skills and enrich their experiences. We are committed to organizing local and overseas exhibitions and keeping pace with latest IT development for our secretariat. Your continuous supports to the Council will be very much appreciated!
On behalf of Council and myself I would like to wish you all and your families a Merry Christmas and Prosperous and Peaceful 2020!
President of HKIA
Felix Li Kwok Hing
Dear Members,
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all Happy New Year of 2019!
On behalf of all our Council, I would like to congratulate and thank Immediate Past President Marvin and his Ex-Council for their hard work and positive contribution to our Institute over the past two years.
I am honoured and delighted to be the President for 2019-2020. Together with my fellow Office Bearers and Council, I will work closely with our members and industry stakeholders to continue promoting HKIA’s core values – the architectural and professional excellence.
Our Council will strive for opportunity, professionalism and embracing new ways of thinking to tackle the many dynamic challenges facing members and the Institute arising from an extremely competitive local business environment.
To deliver this thinking, our Council aims to implement new initiatives, including new improved communication channels for our members, enhance CPD Programme, to incorporate greater emphasis on the complete building cycle including design and project management, and also to embrace the use of new technology. This, as architects we face the reality of our role in the construction process is diminishing and spaces filled by others if we do not continuously enhance our knowledge.
Through designing the buildings in which we live, work and play, architects make an enormous contribution to our society; and as competitive as the market for professional services may be, an understanding of the fundamental principles of financial management tells us that we don’t want to engage into a race to arrive at the lowest possible fee without the required quality services to our clients. Surely from a sophisticated client’s point of view they would be willing to pay for reliability and quality when they perceive it is of genuine value to them, such an environment would allow our Members to deliver the needed quality services to our clients and society.
It is also important to explore opportunities in Great Bay Area for our members and I would like to encourage our members to embrace this opportunity not just for their business but also to implement our urban and architectural design experience and skills.
For our young talent and new practices we endeavour to seek more opportunities such as collaboration with relevant stakeholders for more ‘real build’ design competitions.
For Hong Kong society, our Institute will continue to express our professional views on the local urban and architectural issues.
To implement all our initiatives, I appeal for all of your support in joining together in working for the good of the HKIA and our industry in the two coming years.
President of HKIA
Felix Li Kwok Hing