Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee, the founders and acclaimed architects of HAS Design and Research, as well as visiting professors at Tongji University’s College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP), were invited to serve on the 2025 ASA Experimental Design Competition of The Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage's International Competition Award Jury.

The theme of the international competition, Future Nostalgia in Architecture, was explained by Jenchieh Hung and Kulthida Songkittipakdee, visiting professors of Tongji University. They mentioned that future nostalgia refers to a compelling architectural design concept that draws inspiration from the past and seamlessly integrates it with modern innovations and technologies. The objective goes beyond creating merely aesthetically pleasing spaces; it seeks to imbue them with profound meaning by interweaving culture, society, and nature across both present and future contexts. This approach aspires to preserve and evolve historical knowledge and values that enrich our way of life, while also accommodating the shifting needs of future generations.

In today's architectural landscape, there is a strong emphasis on looking ahead—designing cutting-edge, comfortable buildings that heavily rely on the latest technologies and contemporary insights. While this forward-thinking stance offers undeniable benefits, it often overlooks the wisdom and heritage of the past. As a result, designs may lack a meaningful connection to their original roots.

Thus, the design competition Futurism: Future Nostalgia in Architecture serves as an invitation for architects to use the concept's definition to explore creative approaches and develop designs that link the past—in facets ranging from society, culture, and people to nature, place, and time—through the lens of modern knowledge, tools, and technologies. Participants are encouraged to explore without limitations of location or scale, using Thailand as a case study. The aim is to forge new forms of futurist architecture that honor and reflect upon the past through today’s perspective, guiding us toward a shared architectural future.

The international competition is open to both the general public and students with free registration. The deadline for submissions is April 9, 2025. For more information, please visit www.asacompetition.com/en