On 12 December, 14 AIA Hong Kong presidents along with 150 members and corporate affiliates gathered at M+ to celebrate the Chapter’s accomplishments in the last 25 years. AIA wishes to thank their sponsors and M+ for making the dinner – with Yayoi Kusama artwork in the background – a roaring success.
AIA’s theme this year, which also informed the gala dinner, was to “Connect our Past, Present, and Future”.
AIA Committee Chair on Sustainability, Vikki Lew, AIA, curated the low carbon commitment – from event production, and venue selection, to food choices. AIA 2022 president, Florence Chan, AIA, concluded her presidency having made available the most annual learning units offered in our Chapter’s history. AIA events this year were filled with joy, knowledge, and diversity. AIA 2023 president, Yimei Jennifer Chan, AIA, introduced next year’s theme to “Shape the Future”. Her intent is not only to establish our presence in the Greater Bay Area but to extend to Southeast Asia. Both Florence and Yimei thanked the 23 members of the 25th Anniversary Organization Committee for arranging a meaningful and sustainable dinner event.
AIA guest of honor, Ms. Winnie Wing Yin Ho, JP, Secretary for Housing gave a speech on how architects can help to solve the housing issues in Hong Kong. VIP guests included Mr. Gregory May Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau, Ms. Jennifer Clever, Director, Agricultural Trade Office Hong Kong and Macau, and Mr. Mark Barnekow, Executive Director of the University of Chicago Francis and Rose Yuen Campus. Nelson Chen, FAIA, and Peter Basmajian, AIA, received Distinguished Leadership Awards, and Vicky Chan, AIA, received a Distinguished Service Award from Winnie for fostering young AIA leaders and for helping the Chapter perform community outreach.
Many Chapter presidents, members, and award-winning architects wrote messages encouraging us to strive toward sustainability and design excellence. To learn more about what they said, our 25th Anniversary booklet is available on the website.
– Platinum sponsors: American Hardwood Export Council SEA, B.S.C. Group Limited, Dow
– Gold sponsors: AECOM, Nelson Chen Architects
– Silver sponsors: Anteric Group, Amtrac Furnishings International Limited, Kum Shing Group, Otis Elevator Co.
