Asia’s Premier Architecture Business Event Set to Drive Regional Growth and Innovation in Sustainable Urban Development

18 April 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: In a significant move to reinforce Malaysia’s leadership in sustainable and innovative urban development, Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and Local Government, officially launched the preview of ARCHIDEX and AREC 2025 on 17 April  2025 at the Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

As Asia’s leading architecture business event, ARCHIDEX 2025 is poised to drive regional growth and innovation in the burgeoning architecture and building industry.

ARCHIDEX 2025 will be held across two prominent venues: the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) from 21 to 24 July and the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from 23 to 26 July.

This year’s edition promises to deliver double the impact, featuring close to 1,000 exhibitors across 36,700 square metres of exhibition space—a 40% increase from last year—and attracting an estimated 56,000 visitors from 110 countries and regions.

As a cornerstone of the annual Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF), ARCHIDEX 2025 will serve as a key driver in strengthening Malaysia’s building and construction sectors by fostering innovation, business partnerships, and knowledge exchange.

With Malaysia’s property sector experiencing increasing demand for sustainable, resilient, and technology-driven solutions, ARCHIDEX 2025 plays a crucial role in shaping the industry’s future.

Through its exhibitions, business matching programmes, and thought-leadership conferences, the event will connect architects, developers, policymakers, and industry players to advance green building solutions and future-ready urban planning.

During the preview, the Honourable Nga Kor Ming emphasised the exhibition’s importance in driving regional collaboration and economic growth: “ARCHIDEX 2024 drew 40,336 visitors from over 100 countries and reached more than RM1 billion in transacted value. With over 56,000 attendees this year, ARCHIDEX and AREC anticipates RM2 billion in investment value, acting as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue and the exchange of regional best practices.”

President of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM), Adjunct Prof. Ar. Adrianta Aziz, and President of C.I.S, Dato’ Vincent Lim, highlighted the significance of industry collaboration and the growing relevance of the annual event.

According to Ar. Adrianta Aziz: “As the anchor event of the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF), ARCHIDEX continues to grow in ambition, influence, and impact. A key component, DATUM, our signature architecture conference and one of the region’s largest and most influential architectural conferences, will feature 19 speakers from 12 countries, with more to be announced. DATUM inspires, ARCHIDEX activates. That’s the power of this platform—where thinking meets doing.”

Dato’ Vincent Lim reiterated, “ARCHIDEX has evolved beyond an exhibition into a strategic platform driving business opportunities, innovation, and collaboration in the built environment sector. This year’s event will introduce KL Architecture Week, which will position KL as Southeast Asia’s hub for architecture, arts, and heritage.”

The event will showcase several key features, including The World of Works (WOW), a first in ASEAN, this interactive workplace simulation champions sustainable workplace design with a focus on wellbeing, adaptability, and innovation.

As the global office market is projected to reach USD4.9 trillion by 2032, WOW highlights green building solutions, ergonomic designs, smart office technology, and flexible collaborative spaces, which are aligned with Malaysia’s growing USD12.83 billion commercial real estate boom.

Malaysia-China Customised Furniture Zone, this strategic partnership between Malaysia and China caters to the rising demand for tailored interiors and fit-out solutions.

The PAM Pavilion is a collaboration between the Malaysian Timber Council promoting the use of Malaysian timber internationally.

ASEAN Fenestration & Technology Exhibition (FENESTEX), a new co-located exhibition showcasing technologies for windows, doors, facades, and glass, thereby supporting energy-efficient buildings.

This venture capitalizes on the booming ASEAN UPVC doors and windows market, projected to grow at 6% CAGR by 2027, and the expanding Asia-Pacific flat glass market, set to reach USD 87.43 billion by 2028.

KL Architecture Week 2025, the inaugural KL Architecture Week extends beyond traditional exhibitions. It is where architecture, arts, and heritage awaken in the heart of Old Kuala Lumpur, revealing the city's hidden gems.

Aiming to connect the business events industry with tourism, this initiative will drive a stronger visitor economy and create meaningful experiences for everyone involved.

As part of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government will host the ASEAN Real Estate Summit (AREC) 2025 from 23 to 26 July at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Held concurrently with ARCHIDEX under the theme ‘The Real Estate Renaissance: Innovate, Integrate, Impact’, the summit will explore regional housing challenges through the lens of sustainable construction, urbanisation, resilient infrastructure, and connected livable spaces, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a regional real estate leader.

As the largest gathering of architects, designers, and built-environment professionals in ASEAN, both ARCHIDEX and AREC 2025 will stimulate business growth, sustainability, and innovation across the regional architecture, building, and property sectors. Together, these events will solidify Malaysia’s role as ASEAN’s gateway for built industry development, highlighting its advanced infrastructure, skilled workforce, and investor-friendly policies.

“ARCHIDEX remains a pivotal platform for driving regional collaboration and economic growth. With its rich history and growing influence, ARCHIDEX continues to be a key driver in shaping the future of sustainable urban development across ASEAN,” concluded Nga Kor Ming.