Powerful Voices at PAM Pavilion Talks

The PAM Pavilion at ARCHIDEX 2025 wrapped up its final day with a compelling series of talks that proved architecture is more than just buildings. It’s a conversation about people, purpose, and possibility. With a lineup that ranged from veteran thought leaders to rising Gen Z architects and creative collaborations that blurred the lines between industry and art, these sessions showed just how vital dialogue is in shaping the future of the built environment.

Reimagining Kuala Lumpur: Designing for People, Not Just Cities

In a talk about Kuala Lumpur, reimagining the future of cities as human-centric design, Ar. Azim A Aziz, CEO of ATSA Architects, issued a wake-up call. With Greater KL’s population expected to swell by 2–3 million by 2050, the solution, he argued, isn’t expansion, it’s smarter design.

“The future of urbanisation lies not in building more, but in designing better,” Azim said. He championed the 15-minute city concept, where everything you need—work, play, healthcare, education—is within a short walk or bike ride. But for that to work, city planning must shift from cars to communities. That means inclusive zoning, mixed housing types, walkability, and better inter-agency coordination.

Azim was candid: our cities don’t need a reset, they need a rethink.

The Gen Z Blueprint: Building with Heart

While veterans brought structure to the discourse, it was the bold voices of Gen Z architects that brought heart. Dhakchynie Gunalan and Adzreel, recent graduates with fresh perspectives, shared their visions for architecture that serves the community and reclaims human connection.

“Architecture should serve people, not just impress them,” said Dhakchynie, who presented Rhythmic Spine, her project rooted in cultural heritage and sustainability.

Adzreel echoed the sentiment with raw honesty: “Sustain in this field? Go through it. Raw and real. Strip away the jargon. Reconnect with people.”

Together, they revealed that Gen Z isn’t waiting for permission to lead, they’re already rewriting the rules.

Where Art Meets Industry: A Bold Collaboration

In a standout session, the Else Initiative spotlighted the power of collaboration between artists and brands. Artist Marisa R Ng of Studio 22 unveiled striking silicone artworks in partnership with Rovski, a sealant manufacturer. With support from Else Gallery, this unusual pairing transformed industrial material into expressive art.

“We’re bringing something hidden behind buildings into a visual language,” Ng shared. It was a poetic reminder that innovation often happens at the crossroads of unexpected collaboration.

The Verdict? PAM Pavilion Talks were fuel for the future. Through shared insights, emerging voices, and creative risk-taking, the conversations held here underscore a truth the industry can’t ignore: if architecture is to evolve, we must keep talking.