KLAF 2019: Designing for ‘Tomorrow’

The Malaysian Institute of Architects’ (PAM) annual Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF) runs from June 21 to July 7, in conjunction with ARCHIDEX 2019.

Themed ‘Tomorrow’, this year’s festival aims to encourage inclusiveness of all facets of architecture towards designing better sustainable living for the future. The displays, talks and activities are grouped according to four sub-themes, exploring the future of shelter, food, architecture and technology.

“Architects are visionaries and dreamers. It is the vision and objective of this festival to address this constant of ‘change’ and ‘the future’, which is why the theme, ‘Tomorrow’ was chosen,” said director of KLAF 2019 Dr Tan Loke Mun in his speech at the official opening on June 21.

PAM President Lillian Tay added, “What does social responsibility in architecture mean today and tomorrow? No matter how we choose to define it, serving the community means designing sustainably to eliminate or minimise negative impact on the built environment and to better connect people with the planet.”

The sub-theme Shelter component will take place from June 22 to 28 at the Art, Architecture & Design District at APW, Bangsar. Visitors will be able to experience hands-on activities, such as tooling workshops and construction of Orang Asli homes by EPIC Group and the use of substitute construction materials, such as bamboo.

Future Food, which will take place from June 28 to 30 at Publika Shopping Gallery, seeks to address global issues such as food scarcity through sustainable and urban farming, food security, environmental and ecological stewardship, anthropocentrism and agricultural technology. There will also be an eco-farmers’ bazaar.

The various Architecture+Art events will be hosted at Galeri Petronas, Ruang@ThinkCity, REXKL, National Art Gallery and other venues. Key exhibitions include “Recent Malaysian Architecture”, “Heritage for Tomorrow” and “Built Environment: an Alternative Guide to Japan” with the Japan Foundation.

Meanwhile, DATUM:KL+ARCHIDEX will take place from July 3 to 6 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, with a special themed pavilion called “Tomorrowland”.

For more information, check out KLAF2019 on their website or Facebook. — Construction+ Online

(Pix sourced from KLAF and related Facebook pages)