Reinforcing the importance of architecture in every story from the past to the present and leading into the future, the Siam Architects Association, in collaboration with TTF, held a press conference to announce the readiness for Architect'68, the largest architectural technology and construction product exhibition in ASEAN. This year's theme is 'Reflecting Directions: Past Present Perfect,' featuring numerous exhibitions and special activities, including showcasing innovative products for comprehensive design and construction from over 1,000 leading brands both domestic and international. It is expected to attract over 325,000 visitors from around the world over the six days of the event, from April 29 to May 4, 2025, at Challenger Hall, Impact Muang Thong Thani.

Mr. Ase Sukyang, President of the Siam Architects Association under Royal Patronage, discussed the preparations for Architect'68, which marks another significant year in presenting exhibitions in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Association. This year, the event is scheduled from April 29 to May 4, 2025, at Challenger Hall, Impact Muang Thong Thani. Under the theme 'Reflecting Directions: Past Present Perfect,' it is a great opportunity to reflect on the journey of Thai architecture from the past to the present, exploring how it has evolved through various stories and how architects have collaborated with diverse professions across regions. The event will review the directions that Thai architecture has taken through various eras, including the integration of techniques and cultures from the past, adaptation to environmental conditions and societal needs of each era, and the connection between what once was and what is today, examining how we share paths and stories related to people and the identity of architects as we look towards the future together.

Furthermore, Architect'68 aims not only to connect people globally in the field of architecture through exhibitions, seminars, and knowledge exchange discussions that promote the architectural profession and the development of architectural knowledge, which is crucial for the quality of life in society. It also reflects art and culture and can drive the country's economy. The event will serve as a platform to showcase design works, construction materials, and provide knowledge about construction products, technologies, and innovations related to the international architecture industry, gathering leading brands from Thailand and abroad in a vast area of 75,000 square meters. Given the interest in the exhibitions, knowledge-sharing activities, and comprehensive services, Architect'68 is expected to receive positive feedback with over 325,000 attendees from both Thailand and abroad over the six days of the event.

Mr. Than Srichan, Chairman of Architect'68, mentioned the exciting activities planned for Architect'68, stating that this year will feature numerous interesting exhibitions, such as the 'Reflecting Directions' exhibition, which presents the idea of re-evaluating the value of past architectural works, researching, analyzing, and redesigning them through the interpretations of architects, teachers, and students from new design schools to connect generations. Another exhibition, 'From the First Piece to the Latest,' will showcase two pieces of work: the first design piece that marks the beginning of a journey and the latest design piece that reflects the development and progress of current works. Additionally, there will be a storytelling exhibition featuring three generations, reflecting the relationships among three age groups through collaborative work, 'Conversations with Illustrations of Three Generations from Various Professions.' Following that will be the TIDA exhibition from the Association of Thai Interior Designers and the academic seminar area 'TALA: Thai Thai,' concluding with the TUDA exhibition from the Association of Thai Urban Planners. Each zone will have various interesting activities, such as providing architectural advice, membership registration, fun prize draws, and merchandise sales from the Association.

Additionally, there will be exhibitions from four professional organizations, including the Siam Architects Association under Royal Patronage, the Association of Thai Interior Designers, the Association of Thailand Landscape Architects, and the Association of Thai Urban Planners, along with an academic exhibition featuring the ASA Experimental Design Competition, showcasing international design competition works open to members of the Association, students, and the general public to submit their design concepts under the theme 'Future Nostalgia in Architecture.'

The professional exhibition will include the ASA Conservation exhibition, showcasing award-winning works for outstanding architectural conservation in 2025, ASA Vernadoc 2025, presenting works documenting local architecture using the Vernadoc method, the conservation project for the historical site of Maha Thera Chao Uthumphon, and the conservation network exhibition displaying works from the conservation network that has previously collaborated with the Siam Architects Association. There will also be exhibitions of educational institution works, government and other organizations' design competition works, presenting designs from agencies related to architecture and urban design, and the ASA TOD exhibition presenting alternative development approaches for land around public transport stations following the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) guidelines to promote land use that facilitates transportation connections, along with the exhibition and discussion 'Floods and Grandma Tiam's Hat,' focusing on design for emergency shelters for communities.

In the activity and service area, there will be the ACT+ASA Shop, selling books and souvenirs from the Association, the ACT+ASA Club, a meeting and relaxation area for members, a volunteer architect corner providing house design consultation from volunteer architects, ASA Night in a new format, a social gathering event for members of all generations and institutions, and ASA Day Hey, a concert event that will serve as a gathering point for young and seasoned members to socialize, enjoy entertainment, and get to know each other better. This year, there will also be a music competition for 'Architecture Students' ASA Day Hey Student Band Audition 2025 to find a band to perform at the ASA Day Hey event.

Finally, the academic seminar section will include the ASA Forum & Professional Seminar, which will focus on knowledge exchange across generations, divided into the ASA International Forum 3 Gen, featuring lectures from international architects with backgrounds and works that clearly represent each era. Meanwhile, the ASA Professional Seminar will invite experts from various fields in Thailand who can provide valuable insights for the current architectural profession. This event will also feature the special ASA Classroom for seminars in the form of workshops or teaching how to use computer programs for various architectural design tasks, emphasizing participation and practical application for attendees.

Mr. Supaman Markha, Deputy Managing Director of TTF International Co., Ltd., revealed that Architect'68 this year marks a significant step in elevating the Thai architecture and construction industry to the international stage, focusing on presenting innovative products and modern construction technologies that meet the rapidly changing market demands. Overall, the Thai architecture and construction industry is gradually recovering, driven by investments in large-scale projects from both the public and private sectors, as well as design trends emphasizing sustainability and environmental conservation, leading to the expansion of the construction materials market and design solutions that align with modern lifestyles.

This year's event has garnered significant interest from many exhibitors, with over 85% of the exhibition space already booked. A total of 842 exhibitors are participating (as of March 14, 2025), representing a 5.65% increase compared to the same period last year, including 191 new exhibitors and 302 international exhibitors, accounting for 14.20% of the total exhibition space, reflecting confidence in the Thai construction materials market and the continuously growing business opportunities at the international level.

Currently, many people have registered in advance to attend the event, showing a 50.91% increase compared to the same period last year. The majority of attendees are from the construction industry, including architects, engineers, real estate developers, and contractors, making up 83.51%, which is a 49.33% increase from last year. The proportion of international attendees is 16.66% of the total registrations. It is anticipated that throughout the six days of the event, approximately 325,000 attendees will participate, with the proportion of professionals in architecture and construction (Professional Visitors) increasing from 55% to 60% this year.

Another significant highlight of the event is the special thematic exhibition areas, or Thematic Pavilion, where this year features the most designer and construction material brand pairings ever, with six areas including: 1. Looklen Architects x S-ONE GROUP, 2. pbm X NIPPON PAINT, 3. Flat12x X VANACHAI GROUP, 4. A&A x FAMELINE, 5. ativich x VG, 6. POAR x WOODDEN, focusing on the use of green technology, future materials, sustainable design, and digital technology in architecture, presenting new options for practical construction use, such as the innovative paint from NIPPON PAINT made from 'rubber'—the first in Asia. Additionally, there will be interesting innovations from exhibitors debuting at the event under the Best Innovation Award 2025 activity, including:

  • New Interior Series Aluminum Windows and Doors from TOSTEM – designed with aesthetic harmony, eliminating unnecessary excess, such as hiding screws and unnecessary hardware to remain invisible from the outside.
  • Green GPVC Trim from JORAKAY – the first non-toxic PVC innovation in Thailand, designed to protect tile edges with strong, durable, and highly flexible materials suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, focusing on reducing environmental impact and prioritizing user health.
  • VENENO Collection UNITEC Technology from WDC – porcelain tiles for flooring and wall design, featuring advanced surface innovations that expand the usability of surface materials beyond traditional boundaries.
  • Super Hooth Odor and Smoke Treatment System from HOOTH – a new innovation for kitchen exhaust systems designed to effectively eliminate odors, smoke, and oil mist while maintaining a clean environment around the house without soot and oil stains.
  • Kanguru Multi-Purpose Hanging Fence Cabinet from DOS – designed to address the needs of homes with limited front yard space, combining house number signs, parcel boxes, mailboxes, and trash cans into a 3-in-1 design.

Importantly, leading construction material companies like SCG are preparing to showcase construction material trends and solutions that enhance quality of life in all dimensions under the concept 'SEAMLESS QUALITY LIVING: Connecting Every Perspective for Living.' They will present innovative products that are beautiful, safe, and comfortable to create a better living environment every day, aligning with the environmentally friendly concept 'Waste to Construction,' which repurposes waste materials to add value and reduce carbon footprints, reinforcing their leadership in 'Low Carbon Materials.' They will also debut new products and solutions to enhance living standards using clean energy and improve air quality. Additionally, there will be a special Green Collaboration project launched at this event.

To facilitate attendees, the organizers will provide free shuttle van services from the event to major MRT stations (Chatuchak Park MRT Station, Rama 9 MRT Station) from 09:30 AM to 08:30 PM, along with special privileges from over 29 leading brands covering food, beverages, hotels, and transportation, such as Bangkok Airways, Grab, Bolt, LINE MAN RIDE, TK Palace Hotel, Best Western Plus Wanda Grand Hotel, and many restaurants around Impact to create a memorable experience for participants.

Mr. Supaman concluded that Architect'68 will be an important platform to drive the Thai architecture and construction industry forward and grow sustainably, focusing on serious knowledge exchange and business networking, while also aiming to create a distinctive experience that attracts businesspeople and investors from around the world to deeply engage with the architecture and construction industry in Thailand, which will help increase revenue for design, construction, and real estate businesses, enhancing the competitiveness of Thai operators at the international level.

Architect'68, under the theme 'Reflecting Directions: Past Present Perfect,' is scheduled to take place from April 29 to May 4, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 08:00 PM at Challenger Hall, Impact Muang Thong Thani. Interested individuals can register in advance to attend the event today! Participants will receive the Architect'25 Hand Guide (limited availability) and have a chance to win souvenirs worth over 100,000 baht at the event. For more updates and information, please follow www.ArchitectExpo.com and the Facebook Page: Architect Expo.