The Hong Kong Institute of Architects

The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) successfully hosted a highly fruitful professional delegation to the prestigious International Union of Architects (UIA) World Congress in Barcelona from 28 June to 5 July 2026. Marking the platinum 70th Anniversary of the HKIA, the institute mobilised its largest-ever delegation to the UIA Congress. Led by HKIA President Ar. Julia Lau, with the entire HKIA programme meticulously organised and managed by Ar. Glory Wang, HKIA UIA Committee Chair, a prominent group of over 50 cross-disciplinary professionals—spanning members from the HKIA, the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS), the Hong Kong Institute of Planners (HKIP), and the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA)—landed in Spain to showcase seven decades of Hong Kong’s architectural excellence and forward-looking urban design to a global audience.

The intensive week-long programme was made possible through the generous sponsorship and unwavering partnership of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) and the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), with valuable funding support from the Professionals Participation Subsidy Programme (PSP) under the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme (“PASS”). Key representatives from both organisations actively participated and lent their support throughout the milestone events, including Mr. Kasper Ng, Deputy Representative for HK Economic & Trade Affairs to the European Union, Brussels ETO, and Ar. Donald Choi Wun Hing, BBS, JP, Managing Director and Deputy Chairman, URA.

Programme Highlights

HKIA Exhibition Booth ("Architecture N.O.W.!")

Officially opened on 29 June at Disseny Hub Barcelona (DHub), the HKIA Exhibition presented Hong Kong’s innovative architectural and urban design achievements.
Marking HKIA’s 70th anniversary, the exhibition provided a valuable opportunity to celebrate the significant role Hong Kong architects have played in shaping the city over the past seven decades. It featured a timeline of HKIA’s development alongside major award-winning projects, highlighting the evolution of Hong Kong’s architectural developments and promoting its achievements to an international audience. The timeline also responded to the theme of the UIA Congress 2026, “Becoming. Architectures for a Planet in Transition.” As a rapidly evolving city, Hong Kong demonstrates how architects can respond flexibly and effectively to societal needs through high-quality architectural contributions. In addition to celebrating past achievements, the exhibition looked ahead to future priorities, including well-being, artificial intelligence and technology, and net-zero development. It also showcased HKIA’s events, journals, and exhibitions, reflecting the Institute’s forward-looking vision and clear strategy for addressing future global challenges.
The exhibition also recognised the Urban Renewal Authority’s 25th anniversary by presenting a selection of its completed projects. These works illustrated the successful implementation of Hong Kong’s urban renewal policies and demonstrated how urban renewal initiatives have contributed meaningfully to local communities.
Curated by Ar. Owen Lam and Ar. Cyrus Chan, the exhibition brought together historical reflection, contemporary practice, and future-oriented thinking to present a comprehensive overview of Hong Kong’s architectural development and aspirations.

The opening was supported by UIA President Regina Gonthier and graced by Guests of Honour Ar. Donald Choi, Mr. Kasper Ng. The event also featured the launch of the Chinese version of the UIA International Competitions Commission (ICC) guide on high-quality architecture by Ar. Stephen Ho and UIA-ICC member Ar. Liu Kan.

HKIA Gala Dinner

Organised by HKIA Honorary Secretary Ar. Stephen Ho and held at the historic Círculo Ecuestre club on 29 June, this elegant banquet offered a highly productive evening of fellowship for approximately 110 international and local esteemed guests. Guests of Honour Mr. Kasper Ng and Ar. Donald Choi delivered opening remarks alongside President Lau, while the global architectural community took the opportunity to network, build camaraderie, and strengthen professional ties.

<(Front row, from left) Council Member Ar. Vivian CHEUNG, URA GoH Ar. Donal CHOI, Brussels ETO Mr. Paul LEUNG, President Ar. Julia LAU, Brussels ETO GoH Mr. Kasper NG and UIA Committee Chair Ar. Glory WANG. (Back row from left, Vice-President Ar. Allen POON, UIA World Congress Task Force Members Ar. Cyrus CHAN, Ar. Owen LAM, Ar. Anthony CHENG and Ar. Stephen HO)>

Institutional & Architectural Site Visits

The delegation engaged in deeply inspiring and fruitful knowledge-sharing sessions with prominent urbanist Mr. Vicente Guallart at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), followed by a studio visit hosted by Ar. Felipe Pich-Aguilera at PichArchitects. The week concluded on 3 July with guided Architectural tours of Barcelona’s timeless masterpieces: Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau, Casa Batlló, and the Sagrada Família.

Shaping the Global Discourse: Parallel Sessions

The HKIA drove the intellectual exchange at the Congress by hosting two packed parallel sessions exploring Hong Kong’s role as an urban laboratory:

Parallel Session 1: Renewing the City (30 June)

Held at the Architectural Society of China (ASC) Booth at DHub, this session focused on modern approaches to dense urban restoration.

Speakers: Following a welcoming presentation by Ar. Donald Choi detailed the URA's 25-year history of structural regeneration in Hong Kong, he gave the stage to award winners of the recent "Idea Competition for the Urban Renewal for Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok," Ar. M.K. Leung (Professional Group) and Ar. Sandy Cheung (Young Group).

Parallel Session 2: Hong Kong in TRANSITION - High-Density Liveable City (1 July)

Led by Ar. Anthony Cheng and moderated by Ar. Cyrus Chan and Ar. Corrin Chan, this session was held at the DHub Auditorium. The session unfolded across three core action tracks and a grand finale panel:

Action 1 - Housing in Transition: Density and Liveability: Featured a video presentation by Secretary for Housing Ar. Winnie Ho, JP (Housing Bureau) outlining macroscopic strategies, followed by an in-depth presentation on well-being design by Ar. Chloe Chen (Senior Architect, Housing Authority).

Action 2 - Urban Renewal: Transitioning into Cohesion: Opened with an address by Ar. Donald Choi, followed by vital project showcases from HKIA members: the Redevelopment of Macpherson Stadium presented by Ar. James Leung, and the East Kowloon Cultural Center presented by Ar. Herbert Hung.

Action 3 - An Equitable Future: Envisioning Transition in the Northern Metropolis: Commenced after a brief coffee break with a video message from Ir. Michael Fong (Director of CEDD). This was paired with planning insights on the Northern Metropolis from Ar. M.K. Leung, and a presentation by Prof. Ar. Bernard Lim focusing on the strategic Visitor Center project in Hung Shui Kiu.

Panel Discussion & Closing: The session culminated in a highly interactive 45-minute international panel discussion. The panel brought together President Ar. Julia Lau, the six session speakers, and renowned Spanish architect Ar. Felipe Pich-Aguilera.

UIA General Assembly and Presidential Election

The congress culminated in a historic milestone for the regional architectural community. Headed by HKIA President Ar. Julia Lau, three representatives from the HKIA participated in the UIA General Assembly, where they personally supported and witnessed the official election of Ar. Zhang Li from the ASC as the President of the UIA for the 2026–2029 term.