AIA Southeast Asia Symposium: Indonesia - From Vision to Voice. Strategic Communications that Elevate Architecture Practices and Design Professionals + Closing Speech
Join us in person or online for this hybrid event as part of the SEA25 Symposium ‘Nature + Technology and the Future’!
When: Friday 12 September 2025 @ 09:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 21:00 (Singapore time)
Where: Hybrid Event: The Quadrant at Cecil, 19 Cecil Street, Singapore/ ONLINE
CES Credits - Estimated 1 LU for AIA Members
Schedule
09:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 21:00 (Singapore time): Singapore - From Vision to Voice: Strategic Communications that Elevate Architecture Practices and design professionals
09:50 (Eastern US Time)/ 21:50 (Singapore time): Closing Speech
Speaker
Elvera N. Makki, founder and CEO of VMCS Advisory
Moderator
Esti Savitri, IAI (Ikatan Arsitek Indonesia)
Closing: Manon Sora Koestoer, President, AIA Southeast Asia; AIA International Country Representative - Singapore, Founder and Principal, Spatiality Studio Pte Ltd
Description
In today’s competitive architecture and design industry, success depends not only on creativity and technical expertise but also on building strong client relationships, cultivating a trusted reputation, and managing risks effectively. This session explores how business communications and public relations strategies can help architects and designers expand influence, attract high-value clients, and navigate reputation challenges in an evolving market.
Speaker & Moderator Bios
Elvera N. Makki s a communications and PR leader with over 25 years of experience shaping the reputations of global companies including Ogilvy PR, Unilever, Mercedes-Benz, and Citibank. She is the Founder & CEO of VMCS Advisory, a consultancy focused on sustainability, and has served as President of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Indonesia since 2017. Vera is the first Indonesian to earn the globally accredited ABC and SCMP certifications and was recognized with the PR Top Leader Award 2023. An Eisenhower Fellow and award-winning communicator, she frequently speaks at international forums and trains C-level leaders in strategic communications, crisis management, and executive leadership.
Esti Savitri has extensive experience in project management, architecture, and interior design. Throughout her career, she has held senior leadership roles at Turner & Townsend, Arcadis, Esti Savitri Consulting, and Archetype Construction Consultant, as well as design leadership positions with international firms in New York, Melbourne, and Jakarta. Her expertise spans business development, project delivery, and risk management, with a strong focus on aligning client needs with innovative, sustainable solutions.
With a Master’s degree in Facilities Management from Pratt Institute and a background in architecture, Esti brings well-rounded project management skills and a deep understanding of the construction industry across diverse environments.
Manon Sora Koestoer is the Founder and Principal of Spatiality Studio Pte Ltd and has been a registered architect in the US since 2004. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1997 and received the NDTV award in 2013 for the Chaithanya Smaran Project in Bangalore, India.
Specializing in laboratories, life sciences, workspaces, and interior projects, Manon is an IFBA-certified bio-safety professional with over 20 years of professional experience in the United States and Singapore. His projects span laboratories, data centers, institutions, interior design, resorts, master planning, high-rises, and educational and research facilities.
Manon served on the American Institute of Architects International Region Board of Directors as the Director for Unassigned Members in 2015-2016.
This symposium is brought to you with the generous support of our event partners: PDP Architecture, d’Doubles, HKS, and International Association of Business Communicators Indonesia.
