From 7 to 13 September 2026, the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) organised a cross-disciplinary delegation of 32 professionals to the ARCASIA Forum 2026 in India. Led by HKIA President Ar. Julia Lau, the group—comprising members from HKIA, the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS), and the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA)—travelled through Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur to engage closely with regional peers on climate-responsive design and heritage conservation.

The trip was made possible by funding support from the Professionals Participation Subsidy Programme (PSP) under the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme (PASS).

Active Participation in ARCASIA Committee and Council Meetings

A core focus of the itinerary was the delegation's active participation in the ARCASIA Committee Meetings and the 46th ARCASIA Council Meeting, held at Jaypee Hotels in Agra. President Ar. Julia Lau and Board of External Affairs (BEXA) Advisor Ar. Joseph Kwan and Ar. Thomas Cheung officially represented Hong Kong at the Council level, joining crucial policy discussions and sharing regional updates alongside Observers Ar. Simon Chan and Ar. Franky Choi.

HKIA was officially represented across the specialised ARCASIA Committees by a dedicated team of officials and observers:

• Architectural Education (ACAE): Ar. Simon Chan (Official Representative) and Ar. Jessica Kong (Observer)
• Professional Practice (ACPP): Ar. Kentis Beh (Official Representative)
• Social Responsibility (ACSR): Ar. Franky Choi (Official Representative), Ar. Alan Cheung, Ar. Sunnie Lau, and Ar. Ken Lee (Observers)
• Green and Sustainable Architecture (ACGSA): Ar. Tony Ip (Official Representative)
• Young Architects (ACYA): Ar. Owen Lam (Official Representative), Ar. Jasmine Chan, and Ar. Joe Ma (Observers)
• Fellowship: Ar. Joseph Kwan (ARCASIA Fellowship Chair, Official Representative)

Elevating Hong Kong’s Voice in Regional Leadership

During these sessions, a major highlight was the successful election of HKIA BEXA member Ar. Franky Choi Kam Lung as Deputy Chair of the ARCASIA Committee on Social Responsibility (ACSR). Having dedicated years to the HKIA ARCASIA Committee and the ARCASIA Ar. Barry Will Award, his new role brings well-deserved recognition from the Asian architectural community and reinforces Hong Kong’s ongoing commitment to community-driven design.

Alongside these crucial policy discussions and regional update presentations, the delegation took the opportunity to network closely with representatives from the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA). These interactions, highlighted by the IIA President's Welcome Dinner, were instrumental in further strengthening professional ties across the Asian member institutes.

Bridging Traditional Wisdom with Modern Practice

Following the meetings in Agra, the delegation moved to the Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre for the main ARCASIA Forum Conference. Driven by this year's theme, "Bringing Back... Vernacular Wisdom," the sessions offered a collaborative space for architects to discuss how traditional building practices can inform modern, sustainable solutions.

Celebrating Excellence and Camaraderie

At the Awards Night, HKIA proudly celebrated Hong Kong’s emerging talent. Warm congratulations to architecture student Leung Yat Tai (Hong Kong Chu Hai College) for winning the "Highest Social Relevance" award in the ARCASIA Thesis of the Year 2026 with his project, "A Neuro-architectural Study of Therapeutic Spaces for Patients with Depression in Hong Kong". This win highlights the exceptional, human-centric vision of our future architects.

The vibrant spirit of the delegation was also on full display during the Friendship Night. Led by ARCASIA Committee Deputy Chair Ar. Joe Ma, the Hong Kong team took to the stage for a spectacular sing-and-dance set. Choreographed by Ar. Bianca Man and Ar. Alan Cheung, their rendition of the Grasshopper classic “失戀” (Broken Heart) was absolutely show-stopping. The act won widespread regional applause, brilliantly showcasing the dynamic camaraderie of Hong Kong's architects.

HKIA Friendship Night Performance Full Version: Solo Performance Hong Kong.mp4

Experiencing India's Architectural Heritage

To complement the formal meetings, the delegation took time to study India's rich spatial design and architectural history first-hand. The itinerary included visits to iconic sites such as the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, and the Red Fort. The trip concluded with a deep dive into Jaipur’s urban fabric, featuring a heritage walk through the Walled City and technical stops at the Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Albert Hall Museum, and the City Palace.

Experience the Forum Online

For those who could not join ARCASIA Forum in person, you can watch the forum LIVE on YouTube, including the Inaugural Ceremony and keynotes by globally renowned architects like Pritzker laureate Riken Yamamoto.

Please find the link to the main broadcast below: https://www.youtube.com/live/RPm-rdl_ZUY?si=cCXXCoDlv1MEqn8W