KUALA LUMPUR, 13 January 2026 — Malaysia’s commitment to shaping smarter, more sustainable and future-ready cities was reaffirmed today with the soft launch of ARCHIDEX 2026, at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).
Returning for its 25th edition under the theme ‘The Bold Future’, ARCHIDEX 2026 will take place from 29 July to 1 August 2026 at MITEC, marking a significant milestone in the event’s evolution as Asia’s Leading Architecture Business Event. The upcoming edition will see ARCHIDEX fully consolidated at MITEC, enabling a larger, more integrated exhibition experience that supports innovation, collaboration and economic activity across the built environment sector.
Jointly organised by Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) and C.I.S, ARCHIDEX continues to serve as a central platform connecting architects, designers, developers, engineers, manufacturers and policymakers from across the region.
C.I.S President Dato’ Vincent Lim’s speech at the soft launch highlighted the role of ARCHIDEX as a strategic industry platform aligned with national priorities: “Under the theme, ‘The Bold Future’, ARCHIDEX continues to bring the business of architecture and its allied professionals together – connecting industry leaders, enabling trade, and inspiring ideas that will shape our built environment.”
A Strategic Move Reflecting Industry Growth
ARCHIDEX was previously held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), growing steadily alongside Malaysia’s built environment sector. In 2025, the exhibition reached a turning point when it expanded across two venues – KLCC and MITEC – for the first time, responding to growing demand from exhibitors and visitors. This year, ARCHIDEX takes its next step forward by moving entirely to MITEC, allowing the exhibition to scale up meaningfully in both size and scope.
The 2025 edition attracted 36,800 visitors from over 120 countries and regions to KLCC alone, reinforcing ARCHIDEX’s position as one of the region’s most influential built environment platforms.
With the move to MITEC, ARCHIDEX 2026 is poised for further growth, with plans to:
- expand to 37,000 square metres of exhibition space, close to 20 per cent increase,
- expecting approximately 900 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions, and
- targeting 40,000 visitors from Malaysia and beyond.
The expanded venue will also enable the introduction of three new thematic exhibition floors, curated to showcase innovation, lifestyle solutions and design excellence across the built environment ecosystem.
Dato’ Vincent added the transition reflects ARCHIDEX’s maturity and market demand: “The move to a larger venue caters to the industry’s growing demand, and bigger ambitions. More importantly, it allows for deeper engagement, clearer zoning, and stronger commercial outcomes for exhibitors and buyers alike.”
Anchored by Professional Discourse and Design Leadership
Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) President Adjunct Professor Ar. Adrianta Aziz reaffirmed the professional and cultural role of ARCHIDEX within the broader architectural ecosystem: “PAM’s role in KLAF ensures that ARCHIDEX is not just an exhibition but a thought leadership hub. Central to this mission, is our flagship DATUM Conferences, organised by PAM, which has become one of the region’s most prestigious architectural gatherings.”
ARCHIDEX is a key anchor of the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF), PAM’s year-long platform for architecture, design and public engagement. Within this context, ARCHIDEX serves as the festival’s principal business and industry touchpoint, complementing professional discourse and wider city-based initiatives.
Extending ARCHIDEX Beyond the Exhibition: KL Architecture Week Returns
Beyond the exhibition halls, ARCHIDEX 2026 will extend its impact into the city with the return of Kuala Lumpur Architecture Week (KLAW) – an initiative by ARCHIDEX that activates KL through architecture, arts and heritage. Now in its second year, KLAW connects industry delegates and the public with the city’s urban and cultural fabric through curated installations, heritage walks, cultural exchanges and social programmes.
KLAW 2026 expands across KL Downtown to Petaling Street – activating heritage landmarks from Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, Medan Pasar, and the River of Life to modern urban spaces with views of Menara 118. Visitors are invited to explore, gather, and engage with Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant culture.
By linking the exhibition to the city, KLAW strengthens public engagement while supporting tourism, the creative economy and the wider visitor economy that reflects key objectives aligned with Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
Deepening Industry Focus Through Co-located Platforms
ARCHIDEX 2026 will continue to deepen industry engagement through a series of specialised zonings, including:
- Digital @ ARCHIDEX – The “Digital Frontier”, showcasing BIM, AI-driven design, smart buildings and Proptech solutions shaping the next era of architectural practice.
- A Hospitality Anthology (AHA) – in collaboration with BluWater Studio will explore the design narratives and operational innovations driving APAC’s luxury and lifestyle hospitality sector.
- World of Works (WoW) – The first in ASEAN first real-life office simulation returns by popular demand, in collaboration with Thinkscape Design Works – spotlighting how evolving work cultures and reshaping productivity, wellbeing and urban life.
- The ASEAN Fenestration & Technology Exhibition (FENESTEX) – returns also in its second edition, reinforcing ARCHIDEX’s commitment to sustainable, energy-efficient building solutions through windows, doors, glass, and façade technologies.
Digital @ ARCHIDEX aligns closely with national initiatives including Ekonomi MADANI, the National 4IR Policy, MyDIGITAL and the National Construction Policy, supporting Malaysia’s transition towards smarter buildings and future-ready cities.
A Comprehensive Programme for Business, Ideas and Talent
Beyond the exhibition floor, ARCHIDEX 2026 will deliver a comprehensive programme designed to drive business outcomes, thought leadership and talent development. This includes:
- DATUM Conferences,
- Biz Talks and Focus Forums,
- Buyer Programmes and curated business matching,
- ARCHIDEX Star Awards, recognising product excellence and innovation,
- ARCHITALENT, supporting emerging design talent
Together, these initiatives reinforce ARCHIDEX’s role as both a commercial marketplace and a platform for ideas, collaboration and professional growth.
Looking Ahead
ARCHIDEX 2026 will take place from 29 July to 1 August 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). As Malaysia navigates evolving urban, environmental and economic challenges, ARCHIDEX remains a pivotal platform connecting industry, innovation and opportunity, while extending its impact into the city through initiatives such as KL Architecture Week.
