AIA International Region and AIA Shanghai jointly held the AIA IR Annual Conference in Shanghai from November 14 through 17. The conference topic was “China: New Realities” – an exposition on the culmination of 20+ years of extraordinary growth which has brought China’s architecture to the forefront of architectural practice. With over 200 attendees and 20 speakers, we had a fantastic conference that shared some of the outstanding work developed in Shanghai.
The opening reception welcomed delegates in style at Shanghai’s classic art-deco landmark, the Fairmont Peace Hotel on the Bund. In the elegant top-floor hall, we celebrated with cocktails and enjoyed a relaxed evening meeting new friends and making connections.
AIA IR Shanghai Opening Reception. Fairmont Peace Hotel on the Bund.
For 3 days, delegates attended lectures and presentations by top architects in China and East Asia – keynote speakers included Kris Yao, Hon. FAIA, Rocco Yim, Hon. FAIA, Li Xiaodong, FAIA, Moira Moser, FAIA, and Yungho Chang, FAIA. Tom Vonier, FAIA and Elizabeth Chu Richter presented opening thoughts that kicked off days 1 and 2. Speakers presented to a full room in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, located along the riverfront in Shanghai’s new Pudong District.
AIA IR Shanghai Day 1 Lecture. Mandarin Oriental Hotel
On Saturday evening the IR Design Awards Presentations and Gala Dinner honored some of the best work happening in our region. We celebrated with a full crowd of over 200 people at the new Luneng JW Marriot Marquis in Pudong designed by SOM. Attendees enjoyed a rich dinner of Chinese high-cuisine which included distinctive dishes such as duck tongues and chilled jellyfish.
AIA IR Shanghai Awards and Gala Dinner. Luneng JW Marriot Marquis in Pudong
Each afternoon, delegates visited different areas representative of Shanghai’s extraordinary development. We toured new art museums in the West Bund Arts District by talented Chinese firms Atelier Deshaus and OPEN Architecture, finishing along the expansive Riverwalk. Closer to the hotel in Pudong, delegates visited projects by KRIS YAO | ARTECH and Kengo Kuma Associates as well as the famous super high rise towers of Lujiazui by SOM, KPF, and Gensler. And on day 3 to wind down, we took a more leisurely route through the historic residential streets of the Jingan District’s Former French Concession.
We want to thank every one of our attendees, as well as the hard-working volunteer team in Shanghai who helped pull this off. Look forward to see everyone next year for the IR Conference in Dubai!
