No one really knows what tomorrow holds but change is a constant and the future is full of exciting possibilities! Themed "Tomorrow", the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival 2019 (KLAF2019), organised by Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) is the main event of the architectural calendar in Malaysia. This year's festival, which will be held from 21 June 2019 (Friday) - 7 July 2019 (Sunday), will be on the future of shelter, food security, art, architecture and technology in the new reality that will be the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The Festival was launched on 24 April by the President of PAM, Ar. Ezumi Harzani and KLAF2019 Director, Ar. Dr. Tan Loke Mun, witnessed by its Festival partners (Grohe Malaysia Sdn Bhd & Greenbuildingindex Sdn Bhd), Corporate Partners (NS BlueScope Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Sika Kimia Sdn Bhd) and Industry Partners (Kansai Paint Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd, Ajiya Berhad, Niro Ceramic Sales & Services (M) Sdn Bhd, DML Products Sdn Bhd, Hume Cemboard Industries Sdn Bhd, HP DesignJet Malaysia and DPI Technology Sdn Bhd).

In his welcome speech, PAM President Ar. Ezumi stressed the importance for architects to think ahead and strategise on solutions that will prepare Malaysians for the future.

"Technology will not only dictate how we design the built environment of the future but also how we build it and live, work and play in it. We must embrace what is new in order to address the shortcomings of the past. Architects have the ability to transform a one-size-fits-all approach to living and working spaces by adopting innovative technological advancements that promotes diversity," continued Ar. Ezumi.

KLAF2019, under the stewardship of Ar. Dr. Tan Loke Mun also aims to encourage inclusiveness of all facets of architecture towards designing better sustainable living in an era of super connectivity through mobile devices, the internet of things, cloud computing, self-drive vehicles, 3-D printing, and more.

"This Festival seeks to engage with the community, it is not just about people learning more about architecture and design; but about providing a platform to build future-proofed shared and sustainable eco-systems. A new Art, Architecture, Design District is also known as A2D2 will be created in Bangsar centred around the PAM Centre and APW with the NSTP," said Ar. Dr. Tan Loke Mun, Director for KLAF2019.

To address the topic of TOMORROW, KLAF2019 will have four (4) sub-themes which are "SHELTER", "FUTURE FOOD", "ARCHITECTURE + ART" and "DATUM:KL + ARCHIDEX".

These will be showcased at venues such as the new Art Architecture Design District (A2D2) which will host the "SHELTER" component from 21 June. This will be followed by the Publika Shopping Gallery which will host "FUTURE FOOD" from 28-30 June. Various "ARCHITECTURE + ART" events will be hosted at Galeri Petronas, RUANG by ThinkCity, the REX KL Cinema, and the National Art Gallery culminating with "DATUM:KL + ARCHIDEX" at KL Convention Centre.

In addition, KLAF's annual main events — "DATUM:KL and ARCHIDEX" — will take place from 3-6 July at the KLCC Convention Centre, introducing a special themed pavilion called "Tomorrowland".

For more information on KLAF2019, visit their website or Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep updated with the latest news with the official KLAF app, available on the App Store and Google Play.