Why I Am Running for HKIA President

My journey with the HKIA began in 1997 with a belief that our Institute should play a more proactive role in leading the architectural profession. When I was encouraged to step up and get involved, I took it to heart and I have continued serving ever since.

From 2018 to 2024, I had the privilege of serving as a Council Member, Vice-President, and Honorary Secretary. I’ve also represented HKIA in ARCASIA—comprising 24 Asian architectural institutes—since 2011, where I chaired the Social Responsibility Committee and served as Vice President for Zone C.

Over these years, I’ve witnessed our profession face mounting difficulties. We are suffering from unhealthy fee-diving competition, diminishing roles in policy-making, increasing regulatory liabilities, and the erosion of our scope through Design and Build contracts. Add to that the severe economic shrinkage in the private market, leading to salary cuts and unemployment, and it becomes clear: the status quo is not working.

Having led private architectural education in Hong Kong and built my own practice from the ground up into a Band 1 Architectural Consultant over the past two decades, I know this profession inside out. I understand every front—from education to the private market and public works systems.

I believe the HKIA President must possess a visionary mindset, deeply understand our profession, and have the courage to explore solutions beyond old limits. If elected, I will put all my experience to work to promote our profession, foster the value of architecture to the public, and create a wider, more sustainable market for our future.

—Thomas