On 31 March 2025, the Board Members of the Asia-Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA) were invited to meet with The Architectural Society of China, Institute of Interior Design, Shanghai (IID-ASC), and participate in the “Global Design Communication Conference” held at the Shanghai Modern Construction Decoration Environment Design & Research Institute Limited Company. Organised by Arcplus Group PLC, the session aimed to foster greater collaboration among design institutions across the Asia-Pacific and explore the evolving direction of interior and spatial design in a globalised context.
The conference commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Shen Lidong, Vice President of The Architectural Society of China, Deputy Secretary and President of Arcplus Group PLC. He provided an overview of the current state of China’s design industry and extended warm greetings to the attending international guests. Representatives from IID-ASC (Shanghai), APSDA, and the Asia Pacific Design Center (APDC) then introduced the attending delegates and engaged in discussion.
Representing APSDA at the conference were:
- Prof. Keat Ong, President of APSDA
- IDr. Maria Victoria S. Almario, Vice President of APSDA
- Koji Sakai, Board Member
- Prof. Seuk Hoon Kim, Board Member
- Shyam Bahadur Shrestha, Board Member
- Luu Viet Thang (Vietnam), Board Member
- Montip Lynn Assoratgoon, Secretary General of APSDA
- IDr Leong Ta Wah, Honorary Treasurer of APSDA
As part of the conference programme, Prof. Keat Ong, President of APSDA, shared insights on the design landscape across Asia, followed by an in-depth “Global Design Dialogue” with local representatives. Discussions centred around cultural integration, youth design development, educational collaboration, and the harmonisation of regional standards—fostering valuable cross-cultural understanding and thought leadership.
Following the session, the APSDA Board Members visited the Shanghai Modern Construction Decoration Environment Design & Research Institute under Arcplus Group PLC, where they were introduced to its latest research, practices, and innovations in architectural decoration and spatial design.
Arcplus Group PLC (officially known as East China Architectural Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd.) is one of China’s leading architectural design consultancies. Originally established in 1952, Arcplus is headquartered in Shanghai and offers services in urban planning, architectural design, engineering consultancy, sustainable architecture, interior design, and more. The group comprises numerous Grade A design institutes and specialist agencies and has been involved in landmark projects such as the Shanghai Tower and Beijing Daxing International Airport. Arcplus was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2017 and continues to grow as a globally competitive design and consulting platform.
The success of the Global Design Communication Conference not only deepened professional ties between APSDA and IID-ASC (Shanghai) but also reaffirmed the shared responsibility and vision of both Chinese and international design institutions in the era of globalisation. Through ongoing dialogue and collaboration, APSDA and its partners remain committed to advancing the integrated growth of the design industry throughout the Asia-Pacific—towards a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future.
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