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Riba Architecture Festival Asia & Connexion Shanghai 2025
In the current context where the construction industry is constantly pursuing innovation, technology, and sustainable development, a highly anticipated event kicked off in Shanghai on March 31, 2025! The grand Press conference of RIBA Architecture Festival Asia & Connexion Shenzhen 2025 was held. Ms. Umi Lyu, Head of Development China of RIBA, Mr.Ken WAI, Global Design Principal of Aedas and Honorary Chairman of the RIBA China Chapter, Mr.?XQ Zhang, Managing Director, IM Sinoexpo, and other industry bigwigs participated in this event as guests. Representatives from enterprises such as BDP, Woods Bagot, Chapman Taylor, ARUP, Foster and Partner, SPARK, Daniel Statham Studio, RIOS, GN Design, Tianhua, LACIME Architects, Moshing studio, Fuksas, RSHP, Tongji University, Glodon Company Limited, Chongqing Hengya Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd., ?Dongpeng Engineering, Dasso Bamboo Industry etc. , gathered here to jointly discuss the future of Asian architecture.
During the ceremony’s speech segment, Dr. Valerie Vaughan-Dick, CEO of RIBA, shared RIBA’s outlook on the future of Asian architecture via a video. In the video, she said:
“The RIBA Architecture Festival Asia (RAFA) is our flagship event in the region this year. It is not only a celebration of architecture but also a response to the dynamic and fast-evolving landscape of Asia.
At RAFA, we will delve into the transformative power of innovation, technology, and sustainability. These three pillars are not just themes—they are the driving forces that will redefine the future of architecture. Through discussions, exhibitions, and collaborations, RAFA will showcase how innovation can break boundaries, how technology can revolutionise design and construction, and how sustainability can shape a resilient and equitable future for our cities.
This is more than an event; it’s a movement to inspire actionable change and set a new standard for architectural excellence in Asia and beyond.
The combination of RIBA’s global influence and IM Sinoexpo’s deep local expertise and resources is a powerful alliance. Together, we bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table, and we are confident that this partnership will be the foundation of RAFA’s success.
I’m confident that this marks the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership. Let us look forward to a future filled with remarkable architectural achievements and positive change across Asia’s architectural landscape.
Mr.?XQ Zhang, Managing Director, IM Sinoexpo, stated in his speech:
Today’s conference marks not only the announcement of the RIBA Architecture Festival Asia (RAFA) and the launch of the 2025 Connexion Shenzhen, but more importantly, the official establishment of strategic cooperation between RIBA and IM Sinoexpo. As a globally authoritative academic institution in architecture, RIBA possesses profound expertise and extensive influence in advancing architectural innovation, technological applications, and sustainable development. Meanwhile, IM Sinoexpo, as China’s leading exhibition organizer, has been consistently dedicated to facilitating cross-industry exchanges and collaborations through its exhibition platforms over the years. We firmly believe this powerful alliance between RIBA and IM Sinoexpo will bring unprecedented opportunities and transformative changes to Asia’s architectural industry.
The 3rd Connexion Shenzhen will grandly open at Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center (Baoan) on December 16, 2025.The 2025 RAFA will be held concurrently at the same venue.With an expected exhibition area of 300,000 square meters, the event is projected to attract over 3,000 exhibitors and 200,000 domestic and international visitors. Notably, the architecture engineering and building materials design section will assemble leading industry players including building material suppliers, engineering design firms and innovative technology enterprises, showcasing cutting-edge achievements ranging from green building materials and intelligent construction to sustainable design, thereby providing advanced technological solutions for the architectural sector.
We are confident that through the joint efforts of RIBA and IM Sinoexpo, RAFA will emerge as a distinguished hallmark of Asia’s architectural industry, contributing significantly to the sustainable development of global architecture.
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In today’s world, we face pressing challenges—rapid urbanisation, climate change, and resource scarcity are reshaping the way we design and build.Here in Asia, these issues are particularly urgent. However, with challenges come opportunities.Technologies such as Al, big data, and smart construction are transforming our industry, offering new ways to innovate and create.
Since the RIBA China Office was established in 2020, we have closely observed the changes in our industry.We have actively collaborated with local partners,promoted the internationalisation of China’s architectural community, and celebrate the remarkable talent of architects across Asia.
This year, RAFA brings an even broader platform for architects, designers, and industry leaders to connect.Together, we can exchange ideas, drive innovation, and explore solutions that align design with technology, sustainability, and climate action. Let’s continue to collaborate and use architecture not only to inspire butto shape a sustainable, inclusive future for generations to come.
The climax of the press conference was the launch ceremony of the strategic cooperation between RAFA and IM Sinoexpo (Sinoexpo Informa Markets). Ms. Umi Lyu, Head of Development China of RIBA, Ken WAI, Global Design Principal of Aedas, Honorary Chair of RIBA China Chapter, and Mr.?XQ Zhang, Managing Director, IM Sinoexpo, took the stage as representatives. Representatives from many attending architectural and design enterprises also came on stage together to witness this important moment. Amidst the applause of the audience, the two parties completed the signing, jointly opening a brand-new chapter in the Asian architectural community. This cooperation will integrate resources from all parties, bringing more opportunities and possibilities to the Asian construction industry. It is believed that the future Asian architectural market will be invigorated with new vitality due to this cooperation!
Subsequently, Ms. Umi Lyu, Head of Development China of RIBA, gave a detailed introduction to the planning and highlights of the RAFA, making the guests present full of anticipation for this grand event to be held in Shenzhen in December 2025. Ms. Umi Lyu stated that the RAFA will focus on “innovation, technology, and sustainability”, bringing together global wisdom to explore new paths for the transformation and upgrading of the construction industry driven by scientific and technological innovation. Through intelligent architectural design and construction, it will inject wisdom and vitality into future cities, help address various challenges in the process of urbanization, and jointly create a better living environment for humanity.
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