Join us

for a celebration

of architecture in Asia Pacific

Shenzhen World Exhibition Centre

16 – 18 December

RAFA will address the region’s challenges and opportunities in the practice of architecture and the wider built environment. The festival programme includes a two-day symposium, debates, talks and keynotes together with exhibitions, live design reviews, building tours and the awards dinner.

RAFA is future focused and will convene key stakeholders in the built environment to foster dialogue, collaboration and innovation through the expertise, knowledge, and influence of the RIBA global network.

RAFA festival programme

We are also devoting a segment to Future Talent of the profession where we will deliver the hugely popular ‘Interface’ event for architecture schools, academics, teachers and students of the 12 RIBA validated schools and other in Asia.

On Day 2, we will bring policy makers, agencies and architects together to discuss how decision makers can shape policy and drive innovation to achieve the SDGs, with the aim that future policies will underpin design.

These sessions will cover resilience, human-centric design and AI in placemaking and from a design, policy and delivery perspective.

There will be 10 new categories for the RIBA International Awards, that move away from the traditional building typologies towards a more thematic approach.

The shortlisted projects from these categories, provide the content for a series of live design reviews that will take place in tandem with the symposium. Shortlisted schemes will be reviewed through interactive and engaging panel sessions, open to all delegates and led by a high profile and respected panel.

Learn more

The two-day symposium will culminate in a spectacular gala dinner to celebrate the winners of the newly launched RIBA international Awards for Asia Pacific.

Finally, each day of RAFA will close with an inspirational session covering a design or approach that pushes the boundaries of architecture.  This session will inspire, challenge and engage the audience with what might be possible for the future of the built environment.

To showcase the world leading RIBA architecture collection, we will curate a digital exhibition of stunning photography and images from the RIBA Robert Elwall photograph collection, just a fraction of the 1.5m that the RIBA cares for.

In additional, RIBA China chapter will present ‘She is an Architect’ to champion the role of women in design.

We are working with our trusted partners to host a CPD Expo with specifiers and suppliers to support delivery of high quality systems and products that help architects deliver excellence in their schemes.

RIBA is targeting the best global talent to lead this in-augural event.  As a global leader in architecture excellence, we aim to bring the best minds together for an unforgettable festival of exchange, inspiration and collaboration.

Explore insights and findings of RIBA Horizons 2034, a horizon scanning programme which imparts valuable foresight into significant developments that are emerging internationally.

The sessions will develop the thinking on the RIBA Future trends on issues such as AI, population and economics of the built environment. The discourse from these sessions be captured and brought together in the RIBA Journal published symposium report with key insights and recommendations.

Ticket options

Ticket Discounts and Eligibility

  • RIBA Members & Award Shortlist: 10% off all tickets
  • RIBA Students: Heavily discounted rates (Limited complimentary tickets available
  • RIBA Chartered Practices: 10% off when booking 3 tickets
  • Award Shortlisted Projects: Minimum one ticket required per shortlisted project