“Museum and More: The M+ Story” – A Global Network of Expertise Marked Perfect Ending of Our Conference
Written by Cynthing Ting, Treasurer of 2024 AIA Hong Kong Chapter
This article is part of a series looking back in more detail at the 2024 AIA International Conference in Hong Kong
The last program of the AIA 2024 International Conference, "Museum and More: The M+ Story" was held on 27 Oct, 2024, 4-6pm, and it was a perfect end of the 5-day event.
Thank you to AIA International’s President Yew Kee Cheong, who joined M+ tour message to the tour organizer team on site: IC24 program Team, Sophie Chui, Tour Leader Human Wu, Senior Architect at Herzog & de Meuron following the M+ project from competition to completion, IC24 Conference Ambassador Yuying Xian and AIA HK Treasurer Cynthia Ting
We were honored to have Human Wu, Senior Architect at Herzog & de Meuron following the M+ project from competition to completion and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture at HKU, as our tour leader to explain the architectural features of Asia's first global museum of contemporary visual culture located in Hong Kong’s WestK (West Kowloon Cultural District).
Participants of the tour were able to visit the “I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture” exhibition, the first full-scale retrospective of the legendary architect of modernist architecture.
Group Photo for those joining “I.M. Pei Life is Architecture” Exhibition
We were lucky to have AIA International’s President Yew Kee Cheong joining us. His sharing on I.M. Pei's projects at Singapore helped us to get a deeper understanding of I.M. Pei’s influence globally.
AIA International’s President Yew Kee Cheong explained I.M Pei’s Marina Bay master plan through the physical model, which is on loan from Singapore's URA.
This tour truly demonstrated the spirit of fostering regional collaboration and the benefits of having knowledge exchange for architects from cultural backgrounds. Not only it enriches our professional knowledge and enables us gaining a broader perspective, but it can also boost mutual understanding and the advancement of our profession in the region.
AIA International’s President Yew Kee Cheong, also a Singaporean architect, further explained to the tour guests that I.M. Pei’s biggest legacy, beyond his buildings, is the winning masterplan that shaped Marina Bay. The model is on loan from Singapore's URA.
The event was also a good snapshot of the workforce behind the conference: industry leaders, AIAHK Excom, AIAHK Ambassadors and event professionals. Thank you all for making this a wonderful and memorable conference.
My personal reflection:
As the treasurer, planning this conference amidst the current economic challenges has been a significant undertaking. I am incredibly thankful that we successfully organized this event at the beautiful new venue, The Henderson, welcoming 300 guests—60% of whom traveled from abroad.
Securing new sponsors for the event was no small feat, and it reflects the immense value we offer as a community. The presence of AIA community from national, to regional and local, and Hong Kong committed professional event planning, enthusiastic volunteers truly showcased our collective strength. Together, we have become a super-magnet, bringing together diverse pieces of knowledge to create a fine piece of art.
This conference has been a remarkable reminder of how we can piece together our unique insights and experiences, transforming challenges into a cohesive vision. Each participant contributed to this intricate puzzle, enriching our profession and fostering connections that will last well beyond the event.
https://www.mplus.org.hk/en/events/special-guided-tour-i-m-pei-and-museum-architectural-design/
https://www.mplus.org.hk/en/exhibitions/i-m-pei-life-is-architecture/
