4 Malaysian architecture firms designing for climate and culture

⁠What key local or environmental factors most influence your design approach?

Local material cultures that are intrinsically tied to environmental appropriateness, contextual relevance and spatial identity inform Loka Studio’s design approach. We see materiality as a depository of local narratives that inform our understanding of climatic anatomy, historical resonance, cultural memory, and lived experience. Physicalness entailed with local knowledge often guides us to call forth the continuum mechanics in our geographical ecosystems through architectural production and reproduction.

How do you integrate sustainability into your projects without compromising aesthetics?

Sustainability in architecture, to Loka Studio, extends beyond environmental performance. It encompasses the preservation, continuation and evocation of meaningful historic contents and materials, empathic adaptation and respectful relationships with the contexts, culturally and non-culturally. Sustainability and aesthetics are not opposing forces, but rather coalesce into architectural expressions that consistently embody cultural identity and awaken the notion of beauty within the local system.

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⁠Can you share a project that best exemplifies your commitment to contextual design?

Nanyang Volunteer Drivers and Mechanics Memorial Park and Museum (NVDM) situated in Kwong Tong Cemetery, best exemplifies Loka Studio’s commitment to contextual design. The project draws its conceptual foundation from two potent local historical references: the arduous dirt road leading to mainland China from Burma, and the collective resilience against the Japanese occupation by the local volunteers, who embarked on their monomyth from the port of Malaya. These memories are interpreted architecturally through a series of long, meandering rammed earth walls constructed from a composition of locally sourced red clay, engraved with > 3200 names, designed as spatial and temporal means that preserve and evoke the past, symbolising the struggles and endurance of the volunteers.

The museum, situated within a former parlour dating back to the early 1900s, is a structure that bears the quiet dignity of its age. Within its walls, a lantern-like exhibition chamber is inserted - an illuminated vessel of remembrance. Here, the stories of the Nanyang drivers and mechanics unfold. In this project, the materials embody collective memory and reverence. The architecture becomes a literal and metaphoric expression of remembrance - binding material, memory, and place.

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Founded in 2013 by architects Sharon Ong and Foo Wen Hui, this Kuala Lumpur studio centres its practice on collaborative design processes. The firm believes the strongest architectural solutions emerge from dialogue rather than singular vision, working closely with clients, local craftsmen, and collaborators throughout each project.

Their hands-on approach involves clients as active participants in shaping design outcomes. The studio operates from Beyondto.Co, a shared coworking space with fellow architects and creatives that embodies their philosophy of cross-pollination and community-driven design thinking.

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What key local or environmental factors most influence your design approach?

At Think Cloud, one of the biggest influences on our design approach is the Malaysian climate and lifestyle. We’re lucky to live in a place where nature is so present, and we believe that good design should embrace that. Fresh air, natural light, and a connection to greenery aren’t just nice-to-haves —they’re essential to our well-being.

We see mental wellness as a key part of sustainable design. It’s not just about low-energy buildings or eco-friendly materials; it’s also about creating spaces that make people feel calm, inspired, and connected. That’s why we focus on things like passive ventilation, daylighting, and framing views of the outdoors—simple elements that make a big difference.

Ultimately, we aim to design spaces that perform well and feel good to be in. It’s about building environments that support healthier lives and leave a positive impact on the people and the planet.

How do you integrate sustainability into your projects without compromising aesthetics?

We view design elements such as light wells, clerestories, and skylights not just as passive design strategies, but as tools to elevate the spatial and sensory experience. These elements invite natural light to dance through the architecture, casting shadows, opening sightlines, and creating layered moments of openness and intimacy.

Paired with materials that allow airflow, such as permeable brick walls, breeze blocks, and louvres, they help shape a rich visual language where function enhances form. Natural light brings out the character of different materials, making surfaces feel alive and transforming ordinary spaces into something quietly beautiful.  Far from compromising aesthetics, these elements enrich it, bringing depth, character, and a sense of place that’s both intuitive and enduring.

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Can you share a project that best exemplifies your commitment to contextual design?

Our own studio – housed within a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional Malaysian shophouse – truly embraces the climate and lifestyle it sits within. We opened up the rear section of the ground floor to create a green, semi-outdoor communal area that houses our pantry, dining space, WC, and a casual beer garden. This area serves as a natural extension of the workspace and encourages spontaneous interaction.

The design breaks away from the rigidity of a typical office. We’ve made the layout intentionally flexible—team members are free to work from the garden, the dining table, a desk, or even anquiet phone booth. We believe that being able to choose where and how you work – be it in a private corner or a more social setting – is key to productivity. Everyone has different work modes and personalities that shift throughout the day, and our space is designed to support that fluidity.

By prioritising natural ventilation, daylight, and greenery, the space fosters a sense of ease and openness. It’s our way of proving that a workspace rooted in local climate and culture can be both highly functional and deeply human.

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What challenges do you face when balancing modern innovation with traditional Malaysian elements?

One of the challenges we often face is shifting the perception that designs inspired by nature—like those that maximise natural light, ventilation, and greenery—are too high-maintenance. Some clients initially see these elements as less “modern” or more difficult to manage compared to fully air-conditioned, sealed-up spaces with automated systems.

But for us, innovation doesn’t have to mean abandoning tradition. In fact, many traditional Malaysian design principles—like deep overhangs, cross-ventilation, or indoor-outdoor flow—are inherently sustainable and incredibly relevant today. The key is to reinterpret them using modern tools and materials so they work seamlessly with today’s lifestyle.

Our goal is to find that sweet spot – where smart, efficient design meets the soul of tradition. It’s not always easy, but when done right, the result is a space that feels both forward-thinking and deeply rooted in place.

⁠How do you see sustainable architecture evolving in Malaysia over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, we hope to see greater awareness around the value of passive design, not just for sustainability, but for overall well-being. As more people experience the benefits of natural light, ventilation, and climate-responsive spaces, we believe there’ll be a stronger appreciation for design solutions rooted in the Malaysian context. With more local projects being published and celebrated, we’re optimistic that clients will be more open to embracing our own architectural identity, rather than relying on imported ideas that may not work as well in our environment.

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Mentahmatter Design is a multidisciplinary studio that prioritises authenticity over spectacle, focusing on public buildings and spaces that serve communities. Founded by Shin Chang and Penny Ng on the principle that design should emerge from purpose rather than performance, Mentahmatter Design emphasises human interactions over architectural statements.

Their practice spans architecture, interiors, urban space, art, and community engagement, with particular attention to how people gather, move, and experience space. The studio’s approach is grounded and adaptive, responding to context rather than imposing predetermined narratives, valuing everyday use and cultural rituals above formal architectural concerns.

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What key local or environmental factors most influence your design approach?

Almost every single aspect; we respect all form of context, the human scale, interaction.

How do you integrate sustainability into your projects without compromising aesthetics?

The building will shine on its own if we respect the environment and incorporate sustainability elements. We are a big fan of 'ugly delicious.' The aesthetics can sometimes come later. Respect for the site means that practicality in certain areas is more important.

Can you share a project that best exemplifies your commitment to contextual design?

RexKL.

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What challenges do you face when balancing modern innovation with traditional Malaysian elements?

I don’t find it challenging at all, as I’m not a fan of certain styles/ or elements. For me, every design needs to serve a certain purpose.

How do you see sustainable architecture evolving in Malaysia over the next 5 years?

I believe architecture in Malaysia is flourishing. We are moving towards authentic, purpose-driven architecture/space that prioritises human interaction, how people live, connect, and use the space meaningfully. I think this is how we approach sustainability, instead of making it a statement for building.

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Founded in 2005, Eleena Jamil Architect has built a reputation for sensitively designed work that engages with Asian urban contexts. EJA’s projects are rooted in place through exploration of form, material, and construction, with a strong emphasis on environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The studio works across diverse typologies, including bamboo and timber structures, community libraries, educational buildings, workplaces, and residential projects for private, public, and third-sector clients.

Their work has received international recognition through publications and award shortlistings, including the Dezeen Award, World Architecture Festival, and LEAF Award. The current team includes Eleena Jamil, Bahirah Rahman, Yow Pei San, Lina Izzati Muhammad, Ros Adilla Roslan, and Adam Aziz Marzuki.

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What key local or environmental factors most influence your design approach?

We strive to produce architecture that speaks about a place. This means creating designs that develop within the specific conditions of a local context: an approach in which climate, culture, materials, and community play a significant role in determining the shape, form, and spaces. We examine existing typologies for references, such as the kampung houses for their direct response to climate, culture, and materiality, and Chinese shophouses for their clever use of courtyards in tight urban settings. We also view colonial architecture as examples to learn from, especially for their clever adaptation to the climate and locale, utilising recognisable forms like arches and verandas formed from modern materials like concrete and brick.

How do you integrate sustainability into your projects without compromising aesthetics?

We don’t see sustainability as a compromise of aesthetics. In fact, aesthetics that arise from applying sustainable principles can create an architecture that is a direct expression of a place, automatically relating it to context. The application of passive solar design principles, for example, orienting the building away from the direct sun, adding sun-shading devices, low overhangs, shallow rooms, and ample openings for ventilation, creates an aesthetic that is decisively tropical and contextual, which is what we strive for in our architecture.  

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Can you share a project that best exemplifies your commitment to contextual design?

Our Bamboo Playhouse exemplifies our commitment to contextual design. It is an open, playful pavilion structure that utilises one of the region’s earliest building materials as its primary structure. It references the traditional pavilion typology known as wakaf.

In its most basic form, a wakaf is a simple, four-posted structure, open on all sides, with a pitched roof and a raised floor a few steps above the ground. It is made from natural materials such as timber, bamboo and thatch and can be found where people live and along travel routes, encouraging passers-by to stop and rest under its shade.

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What challenges do you face when balancing modern innovation with traditional Malaysian elements?

The main issues deterring the use of local elements in modern construction are a lack of skills, workmanship problems and labour costs. With bamboo, their limited use in construction means that the supply of the material is scarce, and the necessary skills to construct bamboo structures are often lacking.

How do you see sustainable architecture evolving in Malaysia over the next 5 years?

I believe many architects in Malaysia are working diligently to produce more sustainable architecture, despite the challenges often presented by budget constraints and requirements set by clients and developers. This effort creates awareness, not just among architects and designers but also among the public. As such, we think the next five years will see more sustainable and interesting architecture being built in the country.

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