Architecture Asia, as the official journal of the Architects Regional Council Asia, aims to provide a forum, not only for presenting Asian phenomena and their characteristics to the world, but also for understanding diversity and multiculturalism within Asia from a global perspective.

This issue reveals how old buildings can be updated to realise innovation through renovation, and features three essays and eleven projects that elaborate this perspective. The three essays discuss regenerative architecture in Pakistan that create contemporary examples of traditional architecture, the revitalisation of old buildings in Hong Kong, China for heritage conservation—along the concept of updating the “hardware” and “software” of the building—and the sharing and regeneration of historical heritage spaces in old towns in Xiamen, China. The 11 projects, accompanied with full-colour photos and text descriptions, highlight architectural works that showcase the theme of renovation and innovation across projects that include a house, library, chapel, and clinic, to reveal how these buildings embody sustainability and innovation, and re-energise cities.

The Council of the ARCASIA consists of all the Presidents of the National Institutes. The organisation itself serves as an extension for each member institutes’ regional programs and relations. Annual meetings are held in different member institute countries, to deliberate and to give collective directions and representation to matters that affect the architectural profession in the Asian region. Its objectives include: to unite National Institutes of Architects on a democratic basis throughout the Asian region, to foster friendly, intellectual, artistic, educational and scientific ties; to foster and maintain professional contacts, mutual co-operation and assistance among member institutes; to represent architects of the member institutes at national and international levels; to promote the recognition of the architect’s role in society; to promote the development and education of architects and the architectural profession in their service to society; and to promote research and technical advancement in the field of the built environment.