It has begun! The grand exhibition of architecture technology and construction products in ASEAN, "Architect '68," organized by the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage in collaboration with TTF, is held under the theme "Reviewing Directions: Past Present Perfect." This emphasizes the importance of architecture in every story from the past to the present and leading into the future through numerous exhibitions and special activities, including an innovation showcase for comprehensive design and construction from over 1,000 leading brands from Thailand and abroad. It is expected that more than 325,000 visitors from around the world will attend the event over six days from April 29 to May 4, 2025, at Challenger Hall, Impact Muang Thong Thani.

Mr. Ase Sukyang, President of the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage, revealed that the Architect event is a major annual event for designers. The association has been promoting the architecture profession since 1986 under the name "Architect '29" and has continued to hold the event up to Architect '68, marking the 37th edition. The main objective remains to connect people worldwide in the field of architecture through exhibitions, seminars, and knowledge exchange discussions that promote the architecture profession and the development of architectural knowledge, which is crucial for the quality of life in society. It also reflects cultural arts and contributes to the country's economy by serving as a medium for showcasing design exhibitions, construction material technology, and knowledge about construction products and innovations related to international architecture, gathering leading brands from Thailand and abroad in a vast area of 75,000 square meters, making it the largest event in ASEAN.

Mr. Than Srichan, Chairman of Architect '68, added that this event is a continuation of the exhibition to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the association. This year, the event is held under the theme "Reviewing Directions: Past Present Perfect," reflecting the connection between the past, present, and future through symbolic elements that merge into one. Architects have collaborated with various professions from all regions, exploring and reviewing the directions that Thai architecture has taken through many eras, whether it is the integration of techniques and cultures from the past, adaptation to environmental conditions and societal needs of each era, as well as the connection between what once was and what is now, to understand the paths and stories related to people and the identity of architects as we look toward the future together.

The highlights of the exhibition and activities at Architect '68 are divided into five important sections: the main exhibition featuring the exhibition 'Reviewing Directions: Past Present Perfect', the results from the Student Workshop of students 'From the First Piece to the Latest', a showcase of works from members of four professional architect organizations 'Three Generations of Stories', experience-sharing activities, academic exhibitions, professional exhibitions, activity and service areas, and academic seminars presenting the ASA Experimental Design Competition, an international design competition open to members of the association, students, and the general public to submit design concepts under the theme "Future Nostalgia In Architecture."

The professional exhibition includes the Outstanding Architectural Conservation Award exhibition for 2025, student works from educational institutions, the ASA TOD exhibition presenting development options around public transport stations following the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) approach to promote land use that facilitates transportation connections, and the exhibition and discussion 'Floods and Grandma Tiem's Hat' focusing on designs for emergency shelters for communities.

Additionally, the academic seminar section includes the ASA Forum & Professional Seminar, emphasizing knowledge exchange from generation to generation, divided into ASA International Forum 3 Gen, featuring renowned architects with international works, showcasing the characteristics of each era, while the ASA Professional Seminar invites experts from various fields in Thailand beneficial to the current practice of architecture. This year, there will be a special event, ASA Classroom, a workshop-style seminar teaching computer programs for various architectural design tasks, focusing on participant engagement and practical application.

Mr. Supaman Markha, Deputy Managing Director of TTF International Co., Ltd., as the event organizer, revealed that this year's event has received positive feedback from both exhibitors and visitors, evident from the number of pre-registered attendees increasing by 16.92% from last year, with a higher proportion of foreign visitors, accounting for 85%. The event continues to focus on driving the Thai construction and architecture industry forward with innovation, design, and modern technology in line with global changes.

This year, the total exhibition area is over 75,000 square meters, with more than 1,000 exhibitors from both domestic and international participants, an increase of 1.65% from last year, with foreign exhibitors making up 18.7% of all exhibitors, including countries such as China, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Malaysia, Germany, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States. It is expected that over 325,000 visitors will attend the event over the six days.

One of the special zones attracting attention this year is the “Renovation Lab,” showcasing innovations related to building renovation and repair, designed to meet the trend of renovating old buildings and repairing damaged structures into new spaces that cater to modern lifestyles, featuring materials with special properties, such as H-Beam steel for earthquake-resistant structures from Siam Yamamoto Steel. Additionally, there will be Selected Products from International Exhibitors, showcasing outstanding innovations from international brands in construction materials, alternative energy, and smart building technology solutions, allowing visitors to experience real innovations throughout the event.

Many product brands are preparing to showcase their technologies, such as SCG, presenting construction materials and solutions that enhance quality of life in every dimension under the concept “SEAMLESS QUALITY LIVING, connecting every perspective for better living,” featuring innovative products that are beautiful, safe, and comfortable, aligned with the environmentally friendly concept “Waste to Construction.” Attendees can also join discussions on low-carbon architecture design and specifications from DECAAR by SCG and experience limitless design transformations from SCG Metaluxe, along with the Q-CON Let's Grow Together workshop, promoting eco-friendly lightweight pots that support community income. Special promotions include discounts up to 200,000 THB, cash back up to 83,600 THB, and SCG Family members receiving an additional 50,000 points. The Taiwan Excellence Pavilion will showcase groundbreaking innovations from 10 leading Taiwanese brands that will elevate the construction and design world, including Smart Home, Building, and Sustainable Design, featuring products recognized with the Taiwan Excellence symbol.

Finally, the exhibition will feature a special format area, Thematic Pavilion, allowing everyone to experience real interactions in six spaces: 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.

Architect '68, under the theme Reviewing Directions: Past Present Perfect, is scheduled to take place from April 29 to May 4, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Impact Muang Thong Thani. The organizers have arranged free shuttle vans from the event to the MRT stations (Chatuchak Park MRT Station and Rama 9 MRT Station) from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM. For those interested, updates and more information can be followed at www.ArchitectExpo.com and on the Facebook Page: Architect Expo: ASA EXPO.