Menara Mesiniaga is the prototype of a new, climate-responsive approach to the design of tall buildings in tropical cities. Located on an isolated site near a major highway in Selangor, this Aga Khan Award-winning office tower was designed to accommodate the Malaysian marketing agents for IBM. Described as the first of a genre of "bioclimatic skyscraper", it combines high-tech aesthetics, high-quality finishes, non-mechanical strategies for low-energy consumption (including sun orientation and a naturally ventilated core) and modern recreation facilities—including a gymnasium, rooftop swimming pool and landscaped skycourts several stories high (which are, however, subject to enclosure if the company needs more floor area). The basic structure is reinforced concrete on bored concrete piles, with metal and glass finishes.

Top: The swimming pool terrace. Left: The tower from a south perspective.

This project investigates an appropriate response to tall building design in tropical and equatorial regions. Principles of Malay vernacular and contemporary technology have been considered—taking advantage of its equatorial location to produce a prototype with low energy use. Climate, landscape and culture are important design factors contained within this project in its urban context of the south east Asian region.

This project is a sophisticated high-tech solution that advances the design of office buildings in equatorial climates. The building has an interesting profile with articulation of recesses and solids and uses materials able to withstand extreme climatic conditions. The project was undertaken for an adventurous client who is interested in design solutions that are at the leading edge.

The building perfectly fits the brief from the client, who wanted a showcase building that could iconically represent their commercial success in a high-technology product. The materials used are interesting and significant in the bioclimatic approach to tall building design for tropical climates.

Photography K.L. Ng