Amplifying excellence in architecture

First of two parts

IN the ever-evolving industry of architecture, innovation is the driving force that propels the profession forward, shaping the way we conceive, design and inhabit our built environments. From April 17 to 21, 2024, a record number of more than 8,000 Filipino architects gathered at SMX, Manila, for the highly anticipated 49th United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) National Convention, where the spotlight shone brightly on groundbreaking ideas, transformative technologies and the future of architectural practice.

At the core of the convention's theme lay the concept of amplification: the act of magnifying, enhancing and elevating. Throughout the event, architects embraced this concept with fervor, seeking to amplify their creativity, impact and influence on the world. Workshops, panel discussions and keynote presentations delved into several topics, each offering unique insights on how architecture could be a catalyst for positive change.

As a second layer of the convention theme, «amplify» is also applied to the modalities of communicating and maximizing the learning from this event. The convention's content will be available on social media channels and in the event app through video on demand. Packaged content will also be shared with interested architecture colleges, who can pass on the knowledge to students. This will benefit other Filipino architects, inside and outside the country, who were not able to attend the event. Attendees can also revisit the talks.

Day 1

With the day's general topic «Amplify the Opportunities of the Future,» the Natcon49 started strong with powerhouse speakers led by Tim Fu, Georges Kachaamy, Douglas Leong and Patrick Soriano. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the practice of architecture emerged as a focal point, igniting discussions on its potential to revolutionize the field.

Given the overarching theme of «Amplify,» the discourse on AI in architecture resonated deeply, emphasizing the concept of augmenting human creativity and ingenuity with the power of machine intelligence. From design optimization to predictive analytics, AI offers architects tools and capabilities to enhance