Unlocking Global Architecture: UIA World Congress & ARCASIA Forum Sharing & Fontainebleau Sharing 

In celebration of World Architecture Day 2026, themed "Housing is a Human Right. Build It.", The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) hosted a comprehensive Public Sharing Session on Saturday, 17 October 2026, at Graham Hall in Central. The event brought together professionals, students, and the other professional institutes across the built environment community to explore international exchanges, social responsibility, and future-facing urban design. The afternoon was structured across three core sessions, examining how local and international architectures respond to climate transition, social equity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.  

Part 1: UIA World Congress 2026 in Barcelona 

Moderated by UIA Committee Deputy Chair Ar. Owen Lam, the opening segment connected international themes from the UIA World Congress 2026 in Barcelona—"Becoming Architectures for a Planet in Transition"—with Hong Kong’s evolving urban landscape.  

Ar. Corrin Chan (UIA Architecture, Cities and Territories Work Programme) opened the panel by advocating against "tabula rasa" (blank-slate) development. She showcased Hong Kong’s international presence in transit-oriented development and public housing, while proposing ten principles for sustainable architecture that prioritize adaptive reuse, local recycled materials, and carbon-positive design—offering key insights for major developments like the Northern Metropolis.  

Ar. Yvonne Ieong (UIA Community Architecture and Human Rights Work Programme) presented case studies on "From SDGs to Action: Architecture for a Planet in Transition", detailing actionable design frameworks that align United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with tangible community-focused solutions. 

Ar. Simon Chan (UIA Sports and Leisure Work Programme) used the 1992 Barcelona Olympics as a case study to show how mega-events can act as catalysts for long-term waterfront regeneration, urban connectivity, and public infrastructure investment. He shared practical design strategies for community sports facilities focused on passive ventilation, natural lighting, and cost-effective local materials. 

Expanding the interdisciplinary conversation, Ms. Kate Lau (HKILA) emphasized understanding built environments through holistic ecological systems and called for a shared cross-disciplinary language. Ar. Nam Wu discussed topographic integration, low-cost historical restorations, and non-material documentation techniques for preserving industrial heritage. Ms. Helen Lung (HKIP) analyzed Barcelona’s low-rise Eixample grid blocks, illustrating how equitable public space distribution, tree canopies, and thoughtfully placed street furniture foster vibrant community interaction.  

The concluding panel discussion centered on "Housing is a Human Right", comparing Hong Kong’s housing realities with overseas models. Speakers highlighted the necessary shift from "quantity to quality" in public housing through universal design, flexible communal spaces, and robust community support networks.  

Part 2: ARCASIA 23rd Forum 2026 in India & Regional Initiatives 

The second session, moderated by ARCASIA Committee Deputy Chair Ar. Joe Ma, focused on regional solidarity, committee governance, and social responsibility across Asia.  

Ar. Thomas Cheung (Former Zone C Vice President) introduced ARCASIA’s organizational structure, committee workflows, and its enduring "Culture of Friendship," while sharing lessons from Indian multi-city meetings and Hong Kong’s transitional housing projects.  

Ar. Franky Choi (Deputy Chair of the ARCASIA Committee on Social Responsibility - ACSR) elaborated on the four pillars of ACSR: Wellness Design, Cultural Heritage, Co-creation with Vulnerable Groups, and Universal Design. He presented regional Wellness design guidelines with Asian characteristics, student competitions, and emergency design interventions (such as floating structures) developed in response to pandemic and climate challenges.  

Ms. Katherine Wong (HKILA) discussed the balance between intentional design, public usability, and cultural context, drawing references from Milan's Bosco Verticale, Dutch housing models, and traditional Indian public spaces.  

Highlighting youth initiatives, Mr. Tai Leung (Winner, ARCASIA Thesis of the Year 2026 – "Highest Social Relevance") presented his framework for "Non-Pharmacological Healing Architecture". His proposal offers an actionable sensory healing design checklist—covering materials, color theory, soundscapes, and spatial proportions—to support youth mental health.  

Part 3: Fontainebleau Schools Summer Programme in France 

In the final session, student representative Ms. Yanisha Chung shared her cross-disciplinary experience at the Fontainebleau Schools Summer Programme in France. Her presentation showcased the creative synergy between Architecture and Music, detailing acoustic field experiments inside historic chapels, textile route maps of urban wandering, forest fire color research, and soundscape installations built from self-made instruments.  

HKIA extends its heartfelt thanks to all speakers, moderators, and cross-disciplinary partners from HKILA and HKIP who contributed to this inspiring session. Special gratitude is expressed to the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) for their generous venue support at Graham Hall (嘉咸館), which made this physical and online gathering possible.