Relive the Conversations Shaping Design’s Future
Dive back into the dynamic discussions of the FIND Global Summit 2024, where visionary architects, designers, innovators, and thought leaders from around the world explored the ideas and trends transforming our industry. From sustainability and emerging technologies to cultural narratives and urban transformation, each session offered fresh insights and actionable takeaways. Explore our recap videos to revisit the highlights, reignite your inspiration, and keep the conversations going.
On Placemaking: The Strategy and Creativity of Making Places
The Norwegian firm Snøhetta has significantly impacted placemaking architecture through its transdisciplinary and sustainable approach. By blending architecture, landscape design, interior design, and art, they create spaces that are both functional and contextually meaningful. Their work engages with communities to ensure that outcomes meet users’ needs and desires. Notable projects include the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet in Oslo, the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion in New York, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Wood, Managing Director for Snøhetta Asia and a regional expert working in the area since 2012, will explore the key elements and challenges of placemaking in Asia – understanding site characteristics, collaborating with stakeholders, and integrating functional and aesthetic elements to create spaces that resonate with local cultures, enhancing the social, economic, and environmental aspects of both urban and rural areas.
On Interior Innovation: Spatial and Material Experiences
Trained in Architecture and Materials Science at MIT and holding a Master’s degree in Interior Design from the Royal College of Art, US-born Chinese designer Wang established her practice in Hong Kong in 2011. Since then, she has distinguished herself in luxury hospitality and high-end residential projects, including the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London, The Magistracy in Hong Kong, and the Equinox Hotel in New York. Drawing inspiration from architecture, cinema, fashion, and science, Wang creates interiors that evoke profound emotional and sensory experiences. Her studio is renowned for its commitment to material innovation, developing bespoke textiles, features, and finishes that reflect a relentless pursuit of creativity and craftsmanship. Wang will share her process of shaping past and future memories through space and material experiments.
On the Future of Urbanism: Designing for Liveability and Resiliency
Leading the way in future urbanism, the Dutch firm UNStudio is celebrated for its innovative design approaches that ensure city experiences are future-proof. Hwang, a leader of the practice’s Asia offices, has been with the firm for 14 years and moved to oversee the Hong Kong office in 2017. Since her first UNStudio project, Raffles City Hangzhou, she has subsequently managed projects across China and Asia, including the Lyric Theatre Complex and the new Site 3 Theatre, both in Hong Kong. Hwang’s expertise encompasses various typologies and scales, with a strong emphasis on integrating computational design to enhance project quality, cost efficiency, and the management of complexity from start to finish. She will discuss the factors shaping the future of urbanism in the region and explore how holistic design drives innovative technological and environmental solutions to boost livability and resilience.
Returning to Roots: The Essential Role of Wood in Our Built Future
Wood has been a cornerstone in the construction of intricate buildings for centuries. In the 21st century, its appeal has been revitalised by a global emphasis on sustainability. Its attributes – low embodied carbon, renewable sourcing, energy efficiency – are now central to some of the most innovative architectural explorations. Architects and designers are also revisiting traditional timber construction techniques and craftsmanship, drawing inspiration from local cultures and knowledge. The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), along with Hemanshu Parwani of Seattle-based Olson Kundig and Australian designermaker Adam Markowitz, will explore all facets of wood, from sourcing and creative processes to innovation and future prospects.
Sustainable Solutions at All Scales: Building, Community, Regional, Global
Sustainable solutions in architecture can be implemented at various scales. Starting with the building scale, this includes design, construction, and energy systems, as well as indoor environment quality. At the community scale, the focus shifts to public spaces, waste management, and water systems. Moving to the urban scale, considerations encompass city planning, infrastructure, transportation networks, and policy and governance. Advancing further, the regional scale addresses ecosystem services and climate resilience, while international cooperation becomes essential at the global scale. Each scale necessitates distinct strategies and interventions. Practitioners must collaborate across various disciplines and functions to address ever-changing challenges, both small and large. Leading firms in sustainable practices share insights through recent projects and explore next steps toward achieving sustainability in the built environment.
Experience is the New Benchmark: Designing Spaces for Engagement and Fulfilment
The concept underscores a profound shift in societal values, where unique, memorable, and enriching experiences are now prized above traditional notions of material luxury and enjoyment. To remain competitive, architects and developers in the retail, hospitality, and leisure industries must continually reinvent and innovate their offerings. Spaces should be designed to meet consumers’ evolving expectations, providing experiences that holistically engage all the senses and seamlessly integrate into various aspects of their personal, social, and environmental pursuits.
Cultural Architecture: Landmarks for Tomorrow
AP-ID-AP marks a significant milestone in the interior design industry, a regional accreditation program aimed at elevating professional standards. Featuring a presentation by the AP-ID Chairman outlining the mechanism of the program. Following this, the preview of APSDA Awards 2025 sets the stage for another year of recognizing outstanding achievements in interior design. Highlights include addresses from the committee, an engaging opening gimmick, and insights from past award winners. This event promises to inspire and set new benchmarks for excellence in the interior design community.
On Sustainability and Heritage: The Role of Landscape and Garden Design Traditions
With 30 years of experience, Long began his career as a planner-designer at Singapore’s Parks and Recreation Department, led projects at the National Parks Board, and joined Henning Larsen in 2016. Landscape design aims to replicate natural ecosystem functions disrupted by human activity. As construction alters the environment and contributes to climate change and biodiversity loss, it’s crucial for professionals to address these issues in their work. Understanding nature’s evolutionary process is essential for grasping our relationship with space, both biologically and culturally. Collaboration with the authorities is key to long-term goals, and integrating nature into commercial practices is crucial. Heritage is as important as vision in landscape design, and insights will be shared for the benefit of fellow stakeholders.
