In celebration of its 20th Anniversary, the Hong Kong Chapter of The American Institute of Architects is proud to present the Symposium on Architectural Education and Practice: Educating Practice | Practicing Education at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center on June 24, 2017.

The education of an architect and the practice of architecture have always enjoyed a symbiotic, if not polemical, relationship since the introduction of the Beaux-Arts system of teaching, learning, and practicing more than two and a half centuries ago. Most architecture students acquire the skill of out-of-the-box thinking at school but only encounter the realities of building science, construction technologies, market demands, building codes and regulations upon entering the professional arena. More than ever, architects are facing a rapidly changing society and a built environment that demands a redefinition of professional practice as well as pedagogy.

The symposium will address the following concerns:

• How is architectural education shaping future generations of architects?
• How do educators keep up with teaching both the methods and protocols that demonstrate architecture graduates’ abilities, as well as the values that reflect the current state of the society?
• How does the profession maintain or even increase its relevance and influence at the intersection of design and construction, education and practice?
• How have the curriculums been adjusted to address the complexity and multi-faceted nature of the practice today?
• How do these changes in pedagogy influence and inform the practice?
• How do architects contribute to the making of contemporary buildings? And would/could this contribution redefine the current practice of architecture?

With these questions and many more, the symposium brings together an ensemble of international architects, who are both award-winning practitioners and educators at leading institutions, to share their professional works and their views on teaching and research. It guarantees to be a thought-provoking afternoon with presentations and panel discussions.

Symposium speakers include:

Laura Briggs
Head and Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Rhode Island School of Design
Partner, BriggsKnowles Studio

Nelson Chen
Director and Professor of Practice, School of Architecture, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Principal Architect, Nelson Chen Architects Ltd

Preston Scott Cohen
Former Chair and Professor of Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Founder, Preston Scott Cohen, Inc.

Brian McGrath
Former Dean and Professor of Urban Design, Parsons School of Constructed Environments
Founder, Urban-Interface, LLC

Nasrine Seraji
Head of Department and Professor, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong
Founding Partner, Atelier Seraji Architectes & Associes

Richard Sommer
Dean and Professor, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto
Founder, borfax/B.L.U.

Nader Tehrani
Dean and Professor, Cooper Union Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture
Founder, NADAAA

Li Zhang
Associate Dean and Professor, Tsinghua University School of Architecture
Partner, TeamMinus, Beijing

We thank Asia Society and Rhode Island School of Design Alumni Association as partnering organisations of this symposium. AIA members receive 5.0 LUs/HSW for full attendance.

Presented by                                               Partnering Organizations

Supporting Organizations

Platinum Sponsor                                 Gold Sponsors

AIA Hong Kong is honored to be a recipient of the Emerging Professionals Grant from the AIA College of Fellows.  The grant will support the Chapter in organizing ARE study sessions to assist candidates to achieve licensure while practicing abroad.  At present, Hong Kong is one of three sites outside of the U.S. where ARE is offered.  Our study sessions are led by licensed AIA Hong Kong members and integrate content review, study strategies, tips and tricks, and sample questions.  If you would like to be added to the notification list related to ARE, email our Young Architects Group at emergingprofessionals@aiahk.org.  Be sure to include your full name, affiliation, email address, and any particular areas of interest.  In next session, we will focus on structural systems. The meeting will be held on Saturday, May 13, at our chapter office in PMQ. Space is limited, RSVP below or via info@aiahk.org.

Update: Due to popular demand, this event is now full. Please check back for our next study session!

The Honors & Awards of AIA Hong Kong recognize design excellence of our members practicing in the region. As part of our Chapter’s 20++ celebration, the architectural tours this year will feature winning projects of the award program over last two decades.

Academic 3, City University of Hong Kong, by Ronald

Lu & Partners, is the recipient of 2013 AIA Hong Kong Honor Award for Architecture.

Recently renamed Lau Ming Wai Academic Building, the project was incepted as a new teaching and administration building in City University’s Kowloon campus to accommodate its expanding intake of students in light of the new local 3+3+4 teaching structure. Four key principles drove the Architect’s design solution for the building when working with the site parameters of location and height for a tower; forming a strong connection between the remote dormitory sector uphill and the campus centre downhill, erecting a level green deck across the sloping site to recover the greenery, embedding sustainable design to create a green icon against the backdrop of Lion Rock, and elevating the ground plane to enhance permeability and natural environment at street level.

Project Leader – Chia Pan
Director, Ronald Lu & Partners

Chia is a graduate of the Southern California Institute of Architecture. He has more than 20 years of experience in Hong Kong, mainland China, Southeast Asia, South America and the U.S. Chia has been the lead architect on a wide range of projects, including large-scale comprehensive mixed-use developments, hotels, office towers, large-scale residential, university campus and industrial projects. He has built a strong portfolio that demonstrates his design sensitivity across diverse projects and his proven project management skills.

The tour will be guided by Mr. Chia Pan, Director of Ronald Lu & Partners. Besides Academic 3, other Honors & Awards winning projects by Ronald Lu & Partners include King George V School Performing Arts Block (2014), China Resources Building Renovation (2012), Pak Tsz Lane Park (2013), and Giverny Clubhouse (2006).

As provided for in the International Region corporation bylaws, the officers (President, First Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary) have staggered two-year terms. Elections are now open for a new First Vice President and a new Treasurer, who will each serve in those respective capacities from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019.

Electronic Vote/Proxy
The two posts will be filled by a secret ballot election at the IR 2017 Annual Meeting on April 27 in Orlando, Florida, during this year’s AIA National Convention. If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, you may indicate your preference for candidates for the two positions electronically or authorize 2017 AIA Hong Kong President Rex Wong, AIA, to vote on your behalf at the IR Annual Meeting. Should you choose to submit your vote by proxy, sign this form and return to the Chapter office at info@aiahk.org by noon, April 14 (Hong Kong Time). Electronic votes must be submitted to IR General Counsel Jay Stephens, Hon. AIA, at jstephens@aia.org by April 14 at 5:00 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Daylight Time).

IR First Vice President Candidate
We are pleased to announce that Greg Yager, AIA, candidate for IR First Vice President, will be in Hong Kong to discuss his election platform on Monday, April 10. The meeting is open to assigned members (Architects, Associates, International Associates) and will be held at the AIA Hong Kong chapter office from 6:30-7 p.m. on Monday, April 10. Greg is Senior Vice President of CallisonRTKL, founding president of AIA Shanghai, and is currently the Shanghai Chapter’s representative to the AIA International Region Board. If you wish to meet the candidate, please RSVP to info@aiahk.org by noon, April 10.

The AIA International Region, formed in late 2012, is the nineteenth region of the Institute and encompasses all areas outside of the United States. Please get involved in the democratic process and exercise your right to shape the region’s governance.