Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Fadillah Officiates ARCHIDEX & AREC 2025

[Text provided by ARCHIDEX] Asia’s Leading Architecture Business Event, ARCHIDEX, an event of Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF2025) jointly organised by PAM (Malaysian Institute of Architects) and C.I.S., and the ASEAN Real Estate Conference (AREC) 2025 by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) were officially launched today by Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).

Also present was H.E. Tuan Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and Local Government, underscoring the government’s commitment to shaping the future of the built environment through innovation, sustainable urbanisation, and cross-border collaboration.

ARCHIDEX held across two venues: MITEC (21 – 24 July), and KLCC (23 – 26 July) together with AREC is expected to welcome over 56,000 visitors from 110 countries and regions, with 850 exhibitors across 36,700 sqm of exhibition space, positioning Malaysia at the centre of architecture, design, real estate and smart urban development in the region. Together, ARCHIDEX and AREC are projected to generate an estimated RM2 billion in business and investment opportunities.

As this year’s ASEAN Chair, Malaysia reinforces its leadership in driving the region’s vision for sustainable cities, innovative infrastructure, and integrated growth.

A Call for Regional Transformation
In his officiating remarks, Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah highlighted ASEAN’s evolution into a resilient and interconnected single market. In this landscape, shared resources, diverse capabilities, and unified aspirations are accelerating infrastructure growth and regional prosperity.

Building on this vision of collaboration and collective action, YB Tuan Nga Kor Ming stressed the importance of translating shared aspirations into tangible outcomes — positioning AREC and ARCHIDEX as platforms that connect policy with practice and dialogue with action.

ARCHIDEX 2025: Innovation, Leadership, and Regional Impact

ARCHIDEX continues to serve as a vital platform for showcasing architectural innovation and challenging conventional boundaries in sustainable design.

At MITEC, the spotlight is on cutting-edge technologies and emerging design talent. Visitors can explore FENESTEX, a dedicated showcase of advanced façade and fenestration systems driving sustainable building design. The exhibition will also feature the latest in artificial intelligence and future-forward interior solutions.

At KLCC (until 26 July), the global stage takes focus, with national pavilions from Austria, Canada, China, Korea, and Singapore. Notable highlights include the World of Works (WOW), ASEAN’s first real-life workplace simulation, the MTC–PAM Pavilion promoting the global potential of Malaysian timber, and the Malaysia–China Customised Furniture Zone dedicated to meeting the rising demand for tailored interiors and fit-out solutions. As part of this wider movement, DATUM continues to lead as the region’s foremost platform for architectural thought leadership.

ASEAN Real Estate Summit (AREC): The Real Estate Renaissance

Running in tandem with ARCHIDEX is AREC, with a sharp focus on affordable housing, climate-resilient infrastructure, and smart city strategies. With the theme “The Real Estate Renaissance: Innovate, Integrate, Impact”, AREC will address critical areas such as affordable housing, climate-resilient infrastructure, and smart city strategies that respond to the needs of rapidly urbanising populations.

Key topics on the agenda include:

Cross-border housing collaboration and financing
Urban mobility and infrastructure resilience
Regional sustainability standards for the built environment

The inaugural KL Architecture Week, held alongside ARCHIDEX, brings architecture, art, and heritage to life in the heart of Old Kuala Lumpur. By connecting the business events industry with tourism, this initiative is designed to drive a stronger visitor economy and create meaningful experiences for both domestic and international visitors.