Keynote 1: Prof Paul Chu
Prof Paul CHU is currently Dean of Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Professor at the Department of Architecture at Hong Kong Chu Hai College. He holds M.Sc (Arch & UD) of Columbia University, M.Arch (Distinction) and B.A.(A.S.) (Hons) of HKU. He is Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Member of Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design, Hong Kong Registered Architect and holds PRC Class 1 Registered Architect qualification.
A former Convener of Hong Kong Urban Design Alliance, his research interest lies on how informality of contemporary urbanism contributes to social and cultural sustainability. These are reflected in the writings in ‘Factory Towns of South China- An Illustrated Guidebook’ (HKU Press), ‘Villages in the City- A Guide of South China’s Informal Settlements’ (HKU Press and University of Hawai’i Press), ‘The Emerging Public realm of the Greater Bay Area- Approaches to Public Space in a Chinese Megaregion’ (Taylor & Francis/ Routledge) and ‘In-formal Market Places, Experiments with Urban Regeneration’ (nai010 publishers), etc.
He was awarded Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar (New York), Contemporary Construction Expert of China, Hong Kong Young Architect Award, 20 for 21st Century Emerging Hong Kong Architect, Hong Kong 10 Outstanding Designers, Champion in ‘In Search of Diversity in School Design’, amongst other awards he obtained. He was Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Council Member of HKIA, and was Official Delegate and Council Member at Architects Regional Council of Asia (ARCASIA) in 2013 and 2014.
In terms of public services, he currently serves as Member of Museum Advisory Committee (History), Appeal Board Panel (Town Planning), Appeal Tribunal Panel (Buildings) and Urban Renewal Authority District Advisory Committee. He served as a part-time member of HKSAR Government Central Policy Unit, and was member of Council for Sustainable Development, Antiquities Advisory Board, Architects Registration Board, Appeal Panel (Housing), Advisory Committee on the Appearance of Bridges and Associated Structures, etc.
Keynote 2: Prof. Ar. Dr Lim Chin Haw
Prof. Ar. Dr Lim Chin Haw is a Full Professor and Principal Research Fellow at the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. He heads the Low Energy Architecture Unit at UKM Solar Energy Research Institute. He obtained his Bachelor of Architecture (Hons.) from UTM, followed by Master of Science (Architecture) from the University of Malaya and PhD (Renewable Energy) from UKM. He is a Professional Architect and an avid researcher in Passive and Low Energy Architecture. He is a corporate member of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) and a member of the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM). He also served as the Board Member of the Malaysia Green Building Council (MalaysiaGBC) from 2017-2018 and 2023-2025, and he is also the Chairman of the MalaysiaGBC Academic Standing Committee. He started his career as an Architect in practice in 1992 and eventually joined the university fraternity as an academic and researcher in 2005 until today. He worked on various local and international projects during his professional architecture career. As an active research scientist and scholar, he has also published and presented many research papers in high-impact journals and international conferences. He was also appointed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as the National Evaluator for the National Program for GHG Emissions Reductions in Targeted Industrial Subsectors through Energy Efficiency and Application of Solar Thermal Systems in Malaysia and the Energy Efficient Low Carbon Transport project. He has served as the working group to revise the industry standards such as MS 1525, MS 2095, and the new MS 2680.
His research areas include low energy architecture, building performance simulation, natural ventilation, indoor environmental quality, building insulation, building integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV), and solar-assisted air conditioning Systems. His research projects have received numerous awards, including the ASEAN Energy Awards 2014 & 2015, the International Conference and Exposition on Inventions of Institute of Higher Learning of Malaysia (PERCIPTA) 2011 & 2017, and the Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE) 2013. In 2022, his research was nominated by the MalaysiaGBC as the Best Research Project. In 2022, he was awarded the UKM Pakarunding Highest Consultancy Fees Generation Award. Subsequently, in 2023, he was also awarded the UKM Excellent Service Award and UKM Excellent in Involvement with Industry and Community Award. Besides that, he leads numerous collaborative research projects with universities and research institutes. He has also established a strong international network and research collaboration with two world- renowned solar research institutes: Fraunhofer Solar Research Institute in Germany and Beijing Solar Energy Research Institute in Beijing, China