PAM launches Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival 2023

• With the theme “NEXT100”, the festival is designed to appeal to different segments of the public. It is also an ode to PAM’s centenary this year.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 11): The Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF) 2023 was officially launched on Monday (Jan 9) to kick off its diverse calendar of more than 100 programmes spread throughout the year.

The launch, which took place at Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia’s (PAM) headquarters in Bangsar, was officiated by Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.

With the theme “NEXT100”, the festival is designed to appeal to different segments of the public. It is also an ode to PAM’s centenary this year.

PAM president Sarly Adre Sarkum noted that the association's vision for the next 100 years is guided by the knowledge and insights it has gathered since its initial establishment in 1923.

"The KLAF 2023 seeks to be a platform for discourse, an exchange of ideas, and a catalyst for collaboration between architects, industry professionals, and the greater society. Architecture is pervasive in daily life — we interact with it where we live, work, and play. Greater public engagement is necessary for architects to better realise future cities that will meet the challenges we face and, at the same time, more accurately project the hopes and dreams of all Malaysians," he said.

Meanwhile, KLAF director Norzaini Mufti said that architecture requires a practitioner to be "multi-potential".

"[Architects] understand that educating the public on all aspects of the profession would be overwhelming for both sides of the coin. In order to make it more palatable to the public, the programming of the KLAF has been divided into five key thrusts, namely Engage, Educate, Evolve, Extend, and Evoke," he explained.

"The thrusts are then broken down into bite-sized topics or activities that represent different aspects of architecture. These include home builds and renovations, design and conceptualisation, new technologies or materials, and education and training."

The KLAF's main feature programme "DATUM: We as 1" is slated to happen from July 26 to 29, and members of the public can pick and choose from a calendar of different activities throughout the year. Some of the highlights of "DATUM: We as 1" include ArCreate, Express Transition (X-Tran), the Future Practice Competition, Discover Sketching Expedition, and Heritage Tour.