The Singapore ArchiFest ’09 is an annual architectural festival organized by the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) from 5–31 October 2009. This year, ArchiFest will present a spectrum of more than 50 events that range from an international forum, to architecture tours, exhibitions, workshops, competitions, and surrounding fringe events that are organized to bring architects, students, and the general public together in a celebratory act of exchange and interaction.

The theme for ArchiFest ’09, “Architecture for Humanity,” expresses an ambition to return to one of the fundamental purposes of creating architecture – to celebrate and embrace the concept of humanity. The theme aims to explore how architecture can act in the interests of humanity – making changes for good, relieving in moments of crisis, or triggering socio-cultural regeneration.

Participants in ArchiFest ’09 will be able to explore these ideas through presentations by world-renowned architects from Singapore and abroad, through exhibitions and workshops by a diverse range of individuals and organizations, by expressing themselves in unique competitions, and by joining tours of buildings and spaces in Singapore. Says SIA President Ashvinkumar (49th Council 2009–2010), “The aim is to promote an awareness about sustainability vis a vis humanity, in a holistic manner, from all perspectives and find new and appropriate solutions to address the said issue. The multi-faceted rich diversity within Singapore allows opportunities to make new connections and celebrate the experiential joys of our built environment.”

The festival provides a platform to breed a vibrant design culture by encouraging and guiding design professionals of all fields and the general public to interact in a fun and free atmosphere. (Some events are ticketed.) The festival is a public event with architecture-related activities and happenings for all to participate in.

Highlights of the upcoming ArchiFest ’09 include:

• a two-day forum featuring presentations by Aamer Taher (Aamer Architects, Singapore), Ben van Berkel (UNStudio, the Netherlands), Chelvadurai Anjalendran (C. Anjalendra, Sri Lanka), Jacques Ferrier (Jacques Ferrier Architectures, France), Dr Liu Thai-Ker (RSP Architects Planners and Engineers, Singapore), Li Xiaodong (Li Xiaodong Atelier, China), Massimiliano Fuksas (Massimiliano Fuksas Architetto, Italy), Patama Roonrakwit (Community Architects for Shelter and Environment, Thailand), Tam Nguyen Chi (HighEnd Architecture, Vietnam), and Thomas Kong (The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, USA)

• a networking party for Forum attendants

• a series of ArchiTours – specially organized guided journeys exploring some of the best architectural work in Singapore

• exhibitions including an “Architecture for Humanity” showcase, a presentation of regional architecture from the Architects Regional Council of Asia (ARCASIA), an exhibition of speakers’ works as well as work by architecture students from the National University of Singapore, and a showcase of the SIA–NParks Skyrise Greenery Awards

• an architectural competition for “New Ideas in Recyclable Housing” and a public photography competition

• an array of fringe events such as art exhibitions, talks, workshops, book launches, various trade events, and a Designer’s Forum (which preludes ArchiFest and celebrates Singaporean design of many disciplines)

• an opening ceremony coinciding with World Architecture Day (5 October 2009)

• an exciting closing party to end the festival

The main events of ArchiFest ’09 will be held at the National Library, 100 Victoria Street. Exhibitions will be held at the festival hub at The Plaza and the Promenade on the 7th storey, National Library Building. Archifest ’09 is an initiative supported and co-funded under the Architecture and Urban Design Excellence (A•UDE) Promotion Program by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), with The National Library Singapore as the main exhibition venue partner, and sponsored by Far East Organisation, Geberit, Lee Foundation, Mod Living and Monogram.

For more information (including dates of individual events, booking information, and a lot more), please visit www.archifest.sg.