FIABCI-USA News

As reported, FIABCI-USA was represented by more than 40 delegates at the 68th FIABCI World Congress in Andorra from May 22-28. Highlights of the Congress included an opening Keynote from noted French architect Jean Nouvel, the continuing digital transformation of markets from Indian tech consultant Aamer Azemi, and a Roundtable featuring smart cities including Andorra, Bangalore, Dubai and Singapore.  

In his Keynote Jean Nouvel noted, “Architecture is done for the pleasure of living. Being intelligent gives satisfaction.” He said that his projects start with a deep understanding of the building location. The building should flow from the natural landscape. “Building decisions should be made in connection with the culture of the site.” This concept was demonstrated in his presentation and with a site visit to his residential development in Andorra – La Querola d’Ordino where the “mountain has maintained all its rights.”

Some 500 attendees from more than forty countries spent six days networking, enjoying an enchanting welcome reception in the old quarter of the city, cultural tours, spectacular celebratory dinners and learning about cutting edge technical innovations from twenty expert speakers.

“This World Congress was the perfect example of how FIABCI can open the world of international real estate to high level professionals new to international transactions and how this annual event reinforces relationships with peers from across the globe,” remarked FIABCI-USA President Susan Merdinger Greenfield of Brown Harris Stevens, New York who led the US Delegation.

The Congress also included the presentation of the World Prix d’ Excellence Awards recognizing the best projects from across the world including historical restoration projects from Hungary, residential projects from Singapore and Taiwan, and commercial projects from Indonesia and Taiwan.

The World Congress is FIABCI’s premiere annual event. The next World Congress will be held in Dubai, UAE from April 27 – May 2, 2018.