The Shanghai Roving Architecture Exhibition opened on June 14 at Design Republic in Shanghai, showcasing approximately 30 sets of architectural drawings and models of Hong Kong's public buildings and urban spaces.
Organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the exhibition runs through June 27. It aims to present the collective output of Hong Kong's architecture sector through a curated selection of public architecture projects.
Titled "Projecting Future Heritage: A Hong Kong Archive," the exhibition is the latest leg of a roving series that began with the Hong Kong Pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition — La Biennale di Venezia in Venice, Italy, held from May to November 2025. The exhibition subsequently travelled to Bangkok, Thailand, from January to February 2026, before arriving in Shanghai. A response exhibition is planned for Hong Kong later this year.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, said the CCIDA would align with national development priorities outlined in the country's 15th Five-Year Plan, which calls for notable cultural progress and further improvements in quality of life. Lai said the agency would work with stakeholders in the cultural and creative sectors, including architecture, to contribute to the Beautiful China initiative.
The exhibition focuses on Hong Kong's public architecture — buildings and spaces designed for community use — and is intended to demonstrate how the city's architects approach design challenges in a dense urban environment. The selection of works includes both completed projects and design proposals, offering visitors a view of Hong Kong's built environment from multiple perspectives.
Hong Kong's architecture sector has maintained an active international presence in recent years, with local firms participating in exhibitions and competitions across Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The roving exhibition model allows Hong Kong architects to engage with audiences in different cities over an extended period, rather than through a single overseas showcase.
The Shanghai venue, Design Republic, is located in the city's Jing'an district and regularly hosts design and architecture exhibitions. The choice of Shanghai reflects the broader cultural and economic links between Hong Kong and mainland China's largest commercial centre, where Hong Kong-based architectural firms have been involved in several major projects.
For visitors in Shanghai, the exhibition provides a window into how Hong Kong's public spaces are conceived and built, from transport hubs to cultural venues. The models and drawings on display illustrate the technical and design considerations that shape the city's distinctive urban landscape.
Sources: HKSAR Government
