The KLAF 2026 Raya Open House and Future Culture Forum were conceived as a hybrid cultural platform that combined:
- Hari Raya celebration
- Professional engagement
- Public participation
- Cross-disciplinary dialogue
- Creative and cultural activations
Held over two days at The LINC KL, the programme successfully positioned KLAF as a public-facing initiative that extended beyond conventional architectural discourse while maintaining architecture as the central framework. The event brought together:
- PAM members
- Industry partners
- Creative practitioners
- Students
- Public audiences
- Government and institutional representatives
The programme also generated media visibility through coverage by Bernama and other media outlets, strengthening KLAF’s public positioning and outreach. The objectives of the programme were:
- To celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri with the architecture community and the public
- To strengthen relationships among industry players, partners, and the wider community
- To position KLAF as a public-facing cultural platform
- To introduce and promote KLAF 2026 and DATUM
- To encourage interdisciplinary dialogue through the Future Culture Forum
- To create accessible and inclusive engagement beyond the architectural profession
The KLAF Hari Raya Open House, held on 18th and 19th April at The LINC KL, was a vibrant and meaningful celebration that brought together the architectural community, industry partners, and the public in the spirit of Hari Raya. Supported by Tourism Malaysia, the event successfully fostered cultural appreciation, collaboration, and community engagement within a festive, welcoming environment.
A key highlight of the event was the presence of YB Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications and Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai. Upon arrival, he was warmly received by KLAF mascots, Wira and Manja, creating a lively and engaging welcome. The ceremonial reception commenced with a traditional silat and gompang performance by Arjunasukma, followed by an elegant procession led by the pengiring bunga manggar, ushering him into the main event space for the officiating ceremony.
The programme continued with an opening performance by Gangsapura, featuring the traditional gamelan ensemble, setting a culturally rich tone for the event. This was followed by welcoming remarks by the Curator, Ar. Wan Rosalia binti Wan Rosli, alongside speeches by KLAF Chief Curator, Ar. Rien Tan, KLAF 2026 Director Ar. Lim Gim Huang and PAM President Ar. Adrianta, each highlighting the importance of cultural platforms in uniting communities and advancing architectural discourse.
YB Datuk Fahmi Fadzil further elevated the occasion by officiating the event and delivering a keynote address that underscored the importance of platforms such as DATUM in fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue. As one of the region’s leading international platforms, the DATUM Conference continues to convene global and regional voices to explore architecture’s evolving role in shaping society. The 2026 edition, themed “Future Culture,” emphasises how the built environment responds to rapidly changing social, technological, and environmental contexts.
During his visit, YB Datuk Fahmi Fadzil also took time to walk through the partner booths, engaging with exhibitors, understanding their showcased materials, and learning more about their respective brands. Participating partners, including BlueScope, Nippon Paint, UAC, Rockwool, Roca, Knauf, HP DPI, DML, Innovar, and BMI Monier, presented a diverse range of products and innovations. Their presence significantly contributed to the vibrancy of the event space, and their support is deeply appreciated in elevating the overall experience.
A key programme on Day 1 was the Nippon Paint Design Perspective Forum, which brought together a panel of distinguished speakers, including Noor Amira from Nippon Paint, Ar. Azwan Othman of Asima Architects Sdn Bhd, Ar. Lam Tuck Lone of Ping Ng Architect, and Ar. IDr Shen of Fei Architect. During the session, the architects showcased their award-winning projects, highlighting the creative use of colour and its impact on spatial experience, as well as how it works cohesively with design elements. The forum offered valuable insights into contemporary design approaches, material innovation, and the evolving role of architects in shaping future-ready environments, aligning closely with KLAF’s “Future Culture” theme.
The event also featured a series of interactive workshops curated by various partners, enriching visitor engagement throughout the two-day programme. These included Nippon Paint’s “The Swing of Colours,” COLORBOND® Steel Cultural Hunt with BlueScope, Color King’s “Crafted with Colour, Shared with Warmth,” Pott Glasses Colour Analysis Workshop, and the Batik Boutique Batik Painting Workshop, each offering hands-on experiences that celebrate creativity and cultural expression.
An additional highlight of the event was the competition exhibition, which showcased the shortlisted entries and winning submissions from both the Batik Art Competition and the Titiwangsa Pavilion Competition. Core Team Curator Ar. Pinky Tan also presented the jurors’ citations, offering valuable insights into the evaluation process and design intentions behind the selected works, before proceeding to announce the winners in both categories. The exhibition provided a platform for emerging and established talents to present their creative interpretations, reflecting the intersection of cultural heritage and contemporary design thinking.
Complementing the programme was a creative market held across both days, featuring a diverse mix of local vendors and creative collectives, including Mutiara Figs, Eureka & Kamalpatio, Mulasemula UiTM Workshop, Learnado, Gerai OA, Basheer, Seni Kanji, and Draw for a Cause. The market added a lively and community-driven dimension to the event, offering visitors a curated selection of artisanal products, creative works, and interactive experiences.
Day 2 continued the momentum with a series of performances, forums, and artistic activations. A key highlight was the Future Culture Forum, moderated by Agnes Chen from Jimmy Lim Design, structured into three thematic slots that explored pressing ideas shaping the built environment and creative industries.
Slot 1, titled “Capital, Culture, Create,” brought together Ar. Dr Hazrina Haja B.M., Ar. Beh Ssi Cze, Artist Enzo, and Illustrator Way Chyuan to examine the relationship between cultural production and economic value. The discussion explored how creative practices can be sustained through strategic investment, and how culture, when positioned as both heritage and innovation, can generate new opportunities for designers, artists, and communities. The panel also reflected on balancing authenticity with commercial viability in an increasingly globalised creative landscape.
Slot 2, “Less Silos, More Systems,” expanded the conversation into interdisciplinary collaboration, featuring Ar. Ellina Rahman, Ar. Philip Gan, Ar. Syukran Muhaiyuddin, IDr Keem Mazni, creative entrepreneur CuanCheng, and educator Naziaty Mohd Yaacob, PhD. This session emphasised the importance of breaking down professional boundaries and fostering integrated systems thinking across architecture, design, education, and entrepreneurship. Discussions highlighted the need for collaborative ecosystems that respond more holistically to urban challenges, advocating shared knowledge, cross-sector partnerships, and adaptive frameworks to shape future cities.
Slot 3, “After the Boom,” shifted its focus towards reflection and forward thinking, with Prof. Dr Jimmy Lim, Ar. Azian Syarawi, Ar. Dr. Miguel A. Robles, Ar. Serina Hijjas, material specialist Li Cheng, ceramic artist Yihua, and material specialist Tang Wen Ji. The panel explored which lessons can be carried forward from past cycles of rapid development and how designers can respond more responsibly going forward. Topics ranged from material innovation and sustainability to cultural continuity and craftsmanship, encouraging a rethinking of value beyond growth towards resilience, meaning, and long-term impact.
In addition to the forum, audiences were treated to performances by talented local singer-songwriter Straw, alongside Ruviyamin Ruslan, as well as a live music jam session titled “Persembahan Simfoni Muzik Tradisional” by Akademi Arjunasukma. Adding to the dynamic atmosphere was a live art jam by Kamal Patio, held at The LINC KL’s iconic landmark. His artwork, inspired by KLAF’s “Future Culture” theme, visually expressed the idea that “memory shapes progress,” encapsulating the festival’s narrative through a compelling artistic interpretation.
Overall, the KLAF Hari Raya Open House 2026 successfully achieved its objective of creating an inclusive and engaging platform that celebrates cultural heritage, creativity, and architectural dialogue. The event not only strengthened relationships among stakeholders but also provided visitors with a memorable, meaningful festive experience that aligned with the spirit of Hari Raya.
THE FUTURE CULTURE FORUM
The Future Culture Forum explores how culture evolves alongside rapid urban growth, examining the role of decisions, systems, and design in shaping city identity. Structured as a three-part dialogue, it brings together architects and cross-disciplinary voices to discuss present challenges and future possibilities, highlighting how collaboration, experimentation, and everyday practices influence the culture we build next. The forum intentionally balanced:
- Architects
- Designers
- Artists
- Educators
- Creative practitioners
CONCLUSION
The KLAF 2026 Raya Open House and Future Culture Forum successfully demonstrated the potential of a more open, culturally driven, and publicly accessible approach to architectural programming. By integrating:
- Professional discourse
- Cultural activations
- Workshops
- Performances
- Public engagement
- Cross-disciplinary conversations
This approach aligned with the broader Future Culture direction, positioning architecture not as an isolated profession, but as part of a wider cultural and urban ecosystem. While architectural voices remained central to the discussions, the inclusion of non-architect contributors:
- Expanded audience accessibility
- Encouraged interdisciplinary dialogue
- Strengthened relevance to contemporary cultural and urban issues
- Future iterations may continue refining the balance between profession-specific discourse and cross-sector engagement
The event expanded KLAF’s visibility beyond the profession while maintaining architecture as the core framework. The programme also provided valuable operational and audience insights that will help strengthen future KLAF initiatives, particularly in:
- Programme structuring
- Audience tracking
- Communication strategy
- Event coordination
Overall, the event successfully positioned KLAF as a platform that not only discusses future culture but actively creates spaces for those conversations to happen.
