Dear Members,

With the heartfelt support and encouragement of fellow members, the HKIA Council for 2023-2024 humbly assumes its duties today. I am honoured to be the President for HKIA for the coming two years, as it is one of the long-standing professional institutions in Hong Kong. As you all know, we have just celebrated our 65th Anniversary last year.

The year 2023 is a critical year. We see both opportunities and challenges ahead. On the one hand, architectural practices in Hong Kong have been struggling for years in a harsh professional environment with serious fee-diving problems and excessively complicated Government procedures, which has drained enormous amount of architects' time and energy in Hong Kong. On the other hand, we are delighted to see that the Government has firm determination to resolve these problems, as they have seriously hindered the territory's land supply and urban development, leading to a lot of social problems. The Council has committed to work together with the Government on fine-tuning the consultancy procurement system and streamlining of Government procedures. The ultimate goal is to create a favourable professional environment for architects and architectural practices to excel, be they large or small practices, young or senior members, and working in the private or public sectors.

The Government's ambitious plan to resume the development pace of Hong Kong in the last century offers both opportunities and responsibilities to us architects. We should gear up to shoulder our roles in Northern Metropolis, Kau Yi Chau Artificial Island, the Invigorating Island South initiative, Yau Mong Urban Renewal and other projects in the pipeline. Other than provision of quality professional services, it is also our social responsibility to offer our professional views to the Government and the public on architectural and urban development issues, such as livability, sustainability, carbon neutrality, bio-diversity, inclusive city, and healthy city, which are crucial to the well-beings of HK people in the coming decades. We should maintain our role as the opinion leader in such issues, and inspire the whole society on the way forward for a better built environment in the future.

Opportunities are not confined within Hong Kong. Since the promulgation of the Outline Development Plan for the Greater Bay Area (GBA) in 2019, the rapid development in the GBA has brought tremendous opportunities for Hong Kong architects and architectural practices. Promulgation of the Interim Guidelines for the Management of Hong Kong Engineering Construction Consultant Enterprises and Professionals in Greater Bay Area Cities by Mainland authorities in 2021 should have allowed Hong Kong architectural practices and professionals to explore opportunities in the GBA, if not being hindered by the pandemic. With the recent relaxation of quarantine and border control measures both in the Mainland and Hong Kong, we could now fully realize the benefits of the Interim Guidelines. HKIA would set up a Task Force to provide the necessary assistance to members and liaise with the Mainland authorities.

Now is also the time for HKIA to resume and strengthen our connections with overseas professional bodies. As such, 2023 will be a busy year. ARCASIA Congress 2023, UIA Congress 2023 and APEC Architect Central Council Meeting will be held in the Philippines, Copenhagen and Thailand respectively, while HKIA and ARB will jointly host the Canberra Accord AGM in Hong Kong. In the era of globalization of professional services, enhancing the international competitiveness of members is crucial, and maintaining good international connections is important.

To further elevate competitiveness of architects, we also need to embrace new technologies, like BIM, DfMA, AI, IoT, Big Data, etc., which requires the setting up of an important taskforce under the new Council.

HKIA belongs to all members. Our ultimate goal is to promote the development of a suitable and accommodative environment for the healthy growth of architects of all ages and architectural practices of all sizes. We shall strive for unity to face the challenges ahead, and to achieve our shared visions and missions.

Thanks to the hard work of the 2021-2022 Council under the strong leadership of Donald. They have done a great job in the past 2 years, laying a very solid foundation for us to work on in the coming two years. They have started many good initiatives which this Council would continue, such as the work on the humanity side of architects, including community works like delivery of anti-pandemic supplies to underprivileged families, and enrichment of the Humanity Bank established to showcase members' contribution in humanity.

Once again, thank you very much for electing me as your President. I am humble and proud to take up this important role to lead the Institute to face the challenges ahead in the coming two years. Let's work together to realize our aspirations and dreams. I look forward to meeting you in the future HKIA activities.

Best wishes for a happy and fruitful year of 2023 to you and your family!

President of HKIA
Benny Chan Chak Bun
FHKIA, Registered Architect

Dear Members,

Thanks for the unfailing support of all HKIA members, especially members of the Council, committees, task forces as well as sports and music teams, I have had the honour to serve as the President of HKIA, one of the long-standing professional institutions in Hong Kong, in the past 2 years.

Government Achievement in Land Supply

2024 is a year full of achievements, challenges, hopes as well as excitement. Due to the hard work of the Government, we can now see a promising roadmap for solving the root cause of the acute shortage of land supply in HK, as well as the long queueing time for public housing units that has haunted HK for several decades. Some people have even cautioned that there might be an over-supply of land! I think it is too early to say that, as a lot of people are still living in subdivided units and nano flats. We do need to continue working hard to improve their living conditions.

Fortunately, we have convinced the Government of the need for streamlining of the statutory procedures and tackling the fee diving problems. Streamlining is one of the important commitments of CE in the Policy Address 2024. The Government has put in place administrative measures for encouraging a more reasonable consultant fee level. While HKIA would continue to provide professional advice to Government on further enhancement of these measures, I trust that it would speed up urban development if these problems could be resolved.

We have also set up task forces and offered professional advice on architectural and urban design on major infrastructural projects like Northern Metropolis, KYC Artificial Islands and URA YTM Redevelopment, as well as Government policies on SOPL and subdivided units, to ensure sustainable development of HK meeting expectation of the community.

Imminent Challenges

Nevertheless, the current challenges faced by HKIA Registered Practices (RPs) due to the drastic decrease in new projects is imminent. It is mainly due to the slowdown in global economy in recent years, and many failed Government land sales last year, which I think is a result of the uncertainty in the real estate market. However, I am optimistic in the long run because the demand for residential units in HK is still very strong. Also, the Northern Metropolis, URA YTM Urban Renewal and other major infrastructural projects in the pipelines will offer a lot of opportunities for architects in the years ahead.

Many RPs are finding their own ways to survive the slowdown period until the economy recovers, like no-pay leave, salary cut and shrinkage of office size. HKIA has suggested the Government to adopt necessary measures to speed up public expenditure on architectural works while the private market is slow, so as to ease the financial pressures on RPs. There is positive response from the Government, with the Development Bureau, Housing Bureau and Buildings Department having approached us with various proposals which are being discussed.

To me, the international economic and political challenges faced by China are more worrying, as we are part of China. At the end of the day, we architects need to enhance our competitiveness.

Embrace New Technology

Firstly, we need to embrace new technology. In Jun 2024, we organized our first Annual Conference with the theme of “Design in the Digital and AI Era”. The GOH for that event, the Secretary for Development Bernadette Lim said in her opening remarks that we were very brave. We were indeed very brave, because AI is quite new to architects in HK. Yet we can see the potential power of digital technology and AI in the future, and we must act fast. It was quite a successful event with over a thousand online and in-person participants.

International Connections and Integration of Greater Bay Area

Secondly, we need to maintain and strengthen our international connections, and deepen the integration and interaction with our counterparts in the Greater Bay Area and other Mainland cities, in order to further elevate our overall international competitiveness through synergy of professionals in China. The goal is to join force to capture the opportunities in the Belt and Road Region. Our strength in internationalized professionalism and practices, coupled with the strong industrial base and advanced digital and AI technologies in the Mainland, will make all of us stronger.

After Covid-19 was under control, we have made the best use of the opportunities with the removal of boundary control in early 2023, and resumed collaboration and interaction with Mainland and international counterparts. We have organized numerous visits to the Greater Bay Area, Beijing, Nanking, Shanghai and other places in China, as well as to Venice, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, participating in the Venice Biennale, APEC Architects, UIA and ARCASIA activities. We have signed many MOUs with Mainland organizations on further collaboration, including the latest one with China International Contractors Association (中國對外承包工程商會) on 12 September 2024, which should help open up more job opportunities for our practices, big and small.

Our Mainland counterparts shared the same views. We have received numerous Mainland delegates in HKIA in the last 2 years. They have also simplified the process for application for the qualification of 職稱 for HKIA members based in China. The mechanism for application for 職稱 for architects based in HK is being discussed with the help of the Development Bureau.

At the same time, we have also signed an MOU with UKARB on 28 August 2024. Now graduates of recognized architectural programmes in HK and the UK can sit for professional examinations and become Registered Architects in both regions, facilitating academic and professional qualification mobility. It is the first time that UKARB signs such an MOU with an Asian city, which is a recognition of the high standard of architectural programmes in HK, thanks to the hard work of HKU, CUHK, Chu Hai College and CityU.

In fact, we have similar mutual recognitions with major countries in the world like the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Korea through Canberra Accord and MOUs with individual countries. We welcome talent educated in other jurisdictions to join our profession. How about one step further on mutual recognition of professional qualifications? Actually, the HKIA Council has agreed to explore such a possibility, and we will consult members.

Achievements of Architects

In spite of all the difficulties, Architects in HK continue to work hard and excel in our professional area, creating functional and yet creative buildings, both inside and outside HK, as demonstrated by the winners of the HKIA Annual Awards 2023 to 2024. We have also resumed the Cross Strait Architectural Design Award in 2024, which is an important platform for professional exchanges in the Cross-Strait Regions. The result will be announced in Q1 of 2025.

The life-time achievements of the Gold Medalist 2023 and 2024, Ar Donald Liao and Ar Rocco Yim have demonstrated the great impacts and contributions of architects on the community, in terms of architectural design, urban development, as well as societal aspect of taking care of the well-being of the underprivileged.

Architects work hard and play hard. It is exciting that our Male Volleyball Team won the Champion of RSCP Tournament while the Female Volleyball Team was the First Runner-Up, for both 2023 and 24. Also, the HKIA Soccer Team is the Champion of RSCP Tournament and First Runner-Up of BD 30th Anniversary Soccer Tournament in 2024, while the Dragon Boat Team is the First Runner-Up of Aberdeen Commercial Cup and Deep Water Bay Silver Mixed Cup. Other sports teams like Golf Team, Table Tennis Team, Badminton Team, Tennis Team also have remarkable achievements in the RSCP Tournaments.

2024 UIA Extraordinary General Assembly

In response to the war in the middle east (Gaza and Lebanon), a motion was put forward by Arab Countries at the 2024 UIA Extraordinary General Assembly held on 19 November 2024 at Kuala Lumpur, to condemn the systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure, destruction of urban and natural environments, deliberate destruction of historical and cultural heritage that erases collective memory and human ingenuity, and causes severe harm to civilian populations. The motion also calls for immediate cessation of wars and conflicts, and upholding the fundamental right of every individual to life and dignified living spaces that ensure well-being, health, and safety.

The resolution was passed unanimously, which reminds us the importance of Architecture to human civilization, and the heavy responsibilities shouldered by architects.

Farewell and Good Luck!

The 2-year term of the current Council will end on 31 December, and the new Council under the leadership of President-elect Ar Julia Lau will take over the baton on 1 January 2025. I trust that they will further elevate HKIA to a new level in coming years!

Once again, thank you very much for the generous support of HKIA members in the past 2 years, and Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year of 2025 to your families!

Benny Chan Chak Bun
President of HKIA 2023-24

24 December 2024

Dear Fellow Architects and Members,

I would like to extend a warm welcome to each of you who are part of this vibrant family of professionals. This year marks the 69th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Society of Architects in 1956, which was later renamed the HK Institute of Architects in 1972. It is my honor to serve as your President and lead our dedicated team of Council Members as we embark on a new chapter for HKIA that meets our evolving needs. With the solid foundation laid by our predecessors, I am confident that, with your steadfast support, we can achieve great things together.

We shall celebrate not only our architectural achievements but also the rich and diverse community we have built together. Our profession transcends the mere design of buildings; it is about shaping the very fabric of our society, creating spaces that inspire, connect, and enhance the lives of those who inhabit them.

This year has presented its own set of challenges and opportunities. The evolving landscape of our city demands that we remain innovative, resilient, and forward-thinking. As architects, we bear the unique responsibility to lead in sustainable design and promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), ensuring that our creations are not only aesthetically inspiring but also environmentally conscious and socially inclusive.

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our members. Your commitment to excellence and your passion for architecture drive our institute forward. Together, we have the power to influence policy, advocate for our profession, and make positive contributions to our communities.

As we move forward, let us embrace collaboration and dialogue. We have an incredible opportunity to learn from one another, share our experiences, and push the boundaries of what is possible in our field. I encourage each of you to engage fully in the discussions and activities we have planned for the coming months.

In closing, I would like to thank our sponsors, industry partners, and everyone who has tirelessly worked to organize and contribute to the many events that make our initiatives possible. Your support is invaluable to us.

Let us embark on this journey together with enthusiasm and a shared vision for the future of architecture in Hong Kong.

Thank you, and God bless.

Yours sincerely,
Julia Lau, FHKIA, JP
President of HKIA