14 EVENTS
ARCHIDEX 2017 another resounding success ARCHIDEX is the region’s most important trade event in the architecture, interior design, and building industry calendar. Over the years, ARCHIDEX has grown to become the most successful congregation of professionals for this industry not just within Malaysia, but increasingly from the around the region. This year’s event, held over four days from July 18th at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, featured over 550 local and international exhibitors representing leading brands from 14 countries — Malaysia, Australia, Austria, China, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom and Vietnam, as well as Hong Kong (SAR). Among the highlights of this year’s exhibition, were four country pavilions featuring the best designs and latest advancements from Austria, China, Singapore & Korea. More than 36,000 visitors from around the region and beyond — including industry professionals such as architects, interior designers, property developers, engineers and quantity surveyors — visited the exhibition halls to discover the latest innovative solutions in the field. Building on previous successful outings, this year’s instalment met expectations, seeing an increase of transactions to over RM1 billion. One highlight of this year’s event was the inaugural Architalent, an architectural student competition for talented and inspiring personalities from Malaysia’s schools of architecture. Themed ‘Social Architecture’, the competition received over 70 entries from teams who worked together to generate thoughtful and provocative ideas for densely populated cities, such as Kuala Lumpur, which have experienced rapid population growth and increasing urbanisation.
Other activities included the Focus Forum@ARCHIDEX, which looked at Regulating Construction Materials and Products Under CIDB Act 520 (Amendment 2011) and the Certificate of Standard Compliance (PPSi); and Biz@ARCHIDEX, featuring a selection of exhibitors sharing invaluable information and experience on the latest trends, designs, and technicalities of the building industry. Jointly organised by the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) and C.I.S Network Sdn Bhd, a leading Malaysian trade and lifestyle exhibitions organiser, ARCHIDEX is a key component of the annual Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF) — an annual celebration of architecture and design open to all demographics beyond the architectural fraternity, which ran from 4 July to 30 Sept. “Through constant improvement, strategic growth and a strong vision, ARCHIDEX consistently delivers its promise to support and grow this industry beyond borders. And today, what was once a local exhibition has today transformed into one of Malaysia’s largest and most successful trade exhibitions, and a recognised exhibition in the ASEAN region,” said Deputy Minister of Works Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, during the official opening ceremony of the event. ARCHIDEX is endorsed by MATRADE and supported by the Malaysian Ministry of Works, the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Malaysian Conventions and Exhibitions Bureau, and the Malaysia Green Building Confederation. Malaysia Airlines (MAS) was the Official Airline. ROCA, which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year and has partnered with the organisers for the past three years, became a Principal Partner this year. Strategic Partners this year included ARTWRIGHT, INTERSIT, BLUM, NANO-G, EBAC,VSP and ABUS.