(8 November 2024, Hong Kong) The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) hosted its much-anticipated 2024 Annual Dinner cum Annual Awards Presentation 2024 on 6th Nov 2024 at the Convention Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. With 50 tables and an attendance of approximately 600 guests, this year’s event was themed “Stellar Moments of Architecture”, gathering luminaries from Hong Kong’s architectural community to celebrate the achievements, excellence, and innovation in local architecture.
The Guest of Honour, Ms. HO Wing-yin, Winnie, JP, Secretary for Housing of the Hong Kong SAR Government, joined the evening’s distinguished guests, which included senior government officials, representatives from the Central Liaison Office, Legislative Council members, architectural practice executives, HKIA members, and other distinguished guests. The Annual Dinner also marked HKIA’s 68th anniversary, reaffirming its commitment to promoting architectural excellence and professional growth.
HKIA President, Ar. Benny Chan, in his opening remarks, expressed: “The theme ‘Stellar Moments of Architecture’ perfectly captures the vision and resilience of our profession. We remain dedicated to creating spaces that are functional and inspiring, contributing to Hong Kong and beyond. Despite global and local challenges, we are committed to advancing our profession, enhancing international competitiveness, and telling Hong Kong’s story through world-class architecture.”
Annual Awards – Celebrating Excellence in Architecture honouring lifetime achievement and emerging talent
With a 59-year legacy, the HKIA Annual Awards is Hong Kong’s most prestigious architectural accolade, recognizing projects that embody innovation, sustainability, and social impact. This year, after two rigorous rounds of assessment by a panel of four distinguished jurors, a total of 54 awards were presented to 45 outstanding projects, showcasing the diversity and creativity of Hong Kong’s architectural field. The evening also included the presentation of two special awards, paying tribute to individual accomplishments within the architectural field:
- “HKIA Gold Medal 2024” is awarded to Ar. Rocco YIM Sen Kee, BBS, JP, in recognition of his substantial contributions to both Hong Kong’s architecture and the international architectural community. With a visionary approach, Ar. YIM has shaped the skylines of major cities with landmark projects such as the HKSAR Government Headquarters, the IFC, and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, solidifying his enduring influence in the field.
- “Young Architect Award 2023”, dedicated to recognizing architects aged 35 or below for their talent and commitment to the profession, was presented to Ar. LAM Ho Wang Owen.
In addition to recognizing professional excellence and innovative thinking, this highly anticipated event provided a unique opportunity to showcase the talents of HKIA members through a traditional Dragon Dance performance, symbolizing unity and resilience within the architecture profession. Additionally, architect and lead vocalist Van Chan, with his band Nowhere Boys, performed the newly composed original song “INTJ” for the event, with lyrics written by architect Ar. Amy Chan. Inspired by the creativity and versatility that define architects, the song added a memorable highlight to the evening’s celebrations.
Additionally, the dragon dance team, composed entirely of HKIA members, including the incoming president, will present a performance during the dinner. This act is rich in traditional Chinese elements and showcases the vitality of our architects.
Nowhere Boys 
HKIA President Speech
For more information about HKIA and the HKIA Annual Awards, please visit www.hkia.net.