Hijjas Kasturi defined modern Malaysian architecture by imbuing modernism with cultural identity in his envisioning of buildings in post-independent Malaysia. Widely acknowledged as the father of Malaysian architecture, Hijjas is credited for some of the most iconic buildings in the country including the banking company Tabung Haji, and the Menara Maybank and Menara Telekom skyscrapers.

Born into a poor family, Hijjas succeeded through hard work and what he defines as luck. He was training as a draughtsman before winning a scholarship to study in Australia, where he graduated as an architect and urban planner. Hijjas briefly worked as an architect and planner with Singapore’s Housing and Development Board before returning to Malaysia to teach at the MARA University of Technology, where he established The School of Art and Architecture and the first professional architectural-degree programme.

He later founded his own award-winning practice Hijjas Kasturi Associates Sdn Bhd—now known as Hijjas Architects & Planners, and run by his daughter Serina Hijjas. While officially retired, the octogenarian’s passion for architecture clearly hasn’t waned in the least, and he often starts his day sketching. He also guest-lectures at the institution he founded, works on occasional projects and remains a consultant for his old firm.

Hijjas and his wife Angela Longworth, with whom he launched an artist-residency programme, continue to host performers, writers, visual artists and other creatives at their property outside Kuala Lumpur, Rimbun Dahan. The spectacular compound now also houses environmental conservationists and researchers from Malaysia, Southeast Asia and Australia within its accommodations and studios to help them develop their work and practice.