REKA Conference 2022 focuses on nurturing design ideas in post-pandemic era

• REKA Conference 2022 chairman Joe Chan said: “So much has evolved within the industry over the past two years and the conference provided a valuable opportunity for our interior design fraternity to gain insights from these top minds into the latest trends and innovations, and apply these ideas into their own works as we collectively aspire to scale new heights in Malaysian interior design.”

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 3): REKA Conference 2022 by the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID), which was held on Saturday (Oct 29), introduced aspiring and young designers who spoke on design ideas in the post-pandemic era.

This year marks the ninth edition of the conference, which was held at the KL Convention Centre Plenary Theatre and in conjunction with the REKA Design Week (RDW).

In a statement on Oct 29, REKA Conference 2022 chairman Joe Chan said: “So much has evolved within the industry over the past two years and the conference provided a valuable opportunity for our interior design fraternity to gain insights from these top minds into the latest trends and innovations, and apply these ideas into their own works as we collectively aspire to scale new heights in Malaysian interior design.”

According to the press release, the conference attracted over 360 local and foreign delegates who attended the knowledge-sharing session that featured interior designers and architects showcasing their latest works and ideas.

Guests of honour at the event were Asia Pacific Space Design Association (APSDA) president Professor Keat Ong, MIID president Lai Siew Hong and Chan. The Society of Interior Designers Singapore (SIDS) was also special guest at the event and arrived with ten delegates for the conference.

This year’s conference revolved around the theme of ‘Resurgence’, with focus placed on creative and innovative design ideas that were spawned as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and which will play an important role in reinvigorating the state of the industry in the post-pandemic era.

There were five speakers: Kenneth Cobonpue from the Philippines, Johnny Chiu from Taiwan, Teo Yang from South Korea, Ponwit Ratanatanatevilai from Thailand and Eleena Jamil from Malaysia.

Eleena shared some of her projects, which include buildings that embrace local cultures and integrate social and environmental imperatives into their designs, such as the Desa Mahkota School and the Bamboo Playhouse project.

Cobonpue, the first recipient of the Asian Designer of the Year title and dubbed “rattan's first great virtuoso” by TIME Magazine, shared insights on his use of natural materials with innovative production processes.

Chiu, who is the first Taiwanese designer to win the WAF/INSIDE World Interior of the Year award and has appeared on the judging panel of design competitions such as the US' International Interior Design Award and INSIDE World Festival of Interiors, shared details of his application of provocative and unconventional designs.

Yang, the only Korean designer named in Architectural Digest’s Top 100 in 2022, showcased his unique thought process in translating traditional Korean heritage into the modern design language.

Representing Thailand’s new design collective PHTAA Living Design, Ratanatanatevilai explained how his team of architects, interior designers and creatives have been breaking boundaries and setting new standards with their sculptural, autonomous and ambiguous cross-cultural architecture and interior architecture projects.

Additionally, the conference also featured Nippon Paint and Roca Malaysia as main sponsors, as well as AHB Technologies, Niro Ceramic Group and Consentino as event sponsors. A mini-exhibition featuring booths from all sponsors was held outside the Plenary Theatre during the event.