{"id":66203,"date":"2025-08-25T13:59:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T05:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hdeexpo.com\/?p=66203"},"modified":"2025-08-27T10:36:01","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T02:36:01","slug":"rafa%ef%bc%9ain-conversation-with-the-worlds-top-architects%ef%bc%81","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hdeexpo.com\/en\/rafa%ef%bc%9ain-conversation-with-the-worlds-top-architects%ef%bc%81\/","title":{"rendered":"RAFA\uff1aIn Conversation with the World’s Top Architects\uff01"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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RAFA<\/strong>\uff1a<\/strong>In Conversation with the World’s Top Architects<\/strong>\uff01<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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From December 16 to 18, 2025, the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center will host a major cross-industry event\u2014RAFA (RIBA Architecture Festival Asia), held alongside Hotel & Shop Plus Shenzhen. This collaboration between IM Sinoexpo and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) will bring together world-renowned architects, designers, hoteliers, and commercial developers in Shenzhen for a landmark celebration of Asian architecture.<\/p>

The integration of these two premier events underscores Shenzhen\u2019s growing influence as a design capital and commercial innovation hub, offering a unique convergence of ideas and technologies for global industry leaders.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The inaugural\u00a0RIBA Asia Pacific Awards<\/strong>\u00a0winners will be announced at RAFA. The awards celebrate architects\u2019 talent, visionary design, and the transformative power of architecture across our communities. The shortlisted projects will be showcased through Live Design Reviews with opportunities to hear from the architects.<\/p>

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RAFA also offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with architects and built environmental professionals at\u00a0formal and informal networking sessions and a programme of building tours.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Speaker<\/strong><\/p>

The RAFA forum brings together over 10 world-leading architects and over 100 Asian design experts, including Pritzker laureates, sustainable architecture advocates, and digital design pioneers. Discussions span urban regeneration, sustainability and<\/p>

resilience, future commerce, smart spaces \u2014 aiming to inspire the industry through cross-disciplinary exchange.<\/p>

Programme<\/strong><\/p>

A three-day symposium\u00a0will include panel discussions, keynote talks and workshops and will address current challenges, future opportunities and thrilling innovations that will shape our built environment.<\/p>

16 \u2013 18 December, 2025<\/strong><\/p>

Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center<\/strong><\/p>

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

DAY 01<\/strong><\/p>

Global Architecture Futures\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

Opening Ceremony<\/strong><\/p>

Kick off the symposium with high profile keynote talks from global leaders at the Opening Ceremony.<\/p>

Session 1: Future Frameworks: Innovation in Investment, Development and Policy<\/strong><\/p>

Hear from agencies and decision makers who shape the architectural landscape through setting policy frameworks, motivations for funding priorities, and development incentives. The session will consider innovative examples that foster good design and create well-loved places.<\/p>

Session 2: Future Business: Work Types, Technology, Practice management and Skills<\/strong><\/p>

To make the future a better place, Practices need to be ready as businesses. Operating as a successful business is essential to affect change. A development of RIBA\u2019s thought leadership research programme, Horizons report 2034: connecting big picture to skills in practice series, this session will capture insight on the critical issues facing the profession today. We demonstrate the value of great architecture and promote its positive impact on people and our planet. This workshop will act as a live workshop session to inform the research programme.<\/p>

RIBA Asia Pacific Awards – Live Design Reviews<\/strong><\/p>

Make sure to visit any of the ten live design sessions that will celebrate the talent and creativity of the architects on the new RIBA Asia Pacific Awards shortlisted schemes. The awards cover a range of interesting and important themes:<\/p>

  • Social Architecture<\/li>
  • Urban Regeneration<\/li>
  • Sustainability & Resilience<\/li>
  • Adaptive Reuse<\/li>
  • Mixed Use<\/li>
  • Design for Living<\/li>
  • RIBA Member Design Prize<\/li>
  • Future Projects<\/li>
  • Temporary Architecture<\/li>
  • AI Powered Design<\/li><\/ul>

    Architecture Exhibitions<\/strong><\/p>

    Explore digital exhibitions revealing the treasures of the RIBA Collections including some of the one million stunning photographs in the RIBA Robert Elwall photograph collection.<\/p>

    Building Stories – Inspiration Hour<\/strong><\/p>

    Each day of RAFA will close with an inspirational session covering a design or approach that pushes the boundaries of architecture. This session will inspire, challenge and engage the audience with what might be possible for the future of the built environment.<\/p>

    Informal Networking<\/strong><\/p>

    Day one ends with an informal drinks party to meet new friends and contacts and discuss the events of the day at the Big Bay Area Cocktail party.<\/p>

    Day 2<\/strong><\/p>

    Future Architecture and The City<\/strong><\/p>

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

    Day two of the symposium includes three high powered panel discussions covering the critical issues for architecture in the urban context now and tomorrow.<\/p>

    Session 1: Technology, AI and Generative Design<\/strong><\/p>

    Technology, AI and Generative Design provocative talks on emerging technologies like AI and biomaterials, and the infinite possibilities and challenges they offer architects and place makers.<\/p>

    Session 2: Well-being and Resilience: Healthy Human Cities<\/strong><\/p>

    How does the urban environment impact on health? Speakers will focus on housing, health and density and how Asia vast cities can be retro- fitted to provide a human centric built environment that tackles climate change.<\/p>

    Session 3: Sustainability: Asia ESG with Green Design<\/strong><\/p>

    Architecture shapes how we live\u2014but equally, how we live shapes architecture. Hearing from speakers who have tackled We cover examples that have made a difference.<\/p>

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

    Workshops and panel discussions<\/strong><\/p>

    If you\u2019re still looking for more inspiration and ideas, then choose from five interactive workshop sessions on a range of compelling topics including:<\/p>