In a world facing climate crisis, rising inequality, and rapid urbanisation, architecture is no longer just about designing beautiful buildings, but it’s about building a better future.
Earlier this year, Malaysian talents made headlines at the AYDA (Asia Young Designer Awards) and Creative Colour Awards 2024, where design met purpose. But the momentum doesn’t stop there. Across the country, from Sabah to Ipoh, young architects are reshaping the industry with projects that centre people, place and the planet[1].
These six emerging architects are proving that impact and aesthetics can, and should, go hand in hand.
#1: Lam Shen Fei – Putting People At The Heart Of Design
When Ar. Lam Shen Fei walks into a project, he doesn’t arrive with a vision in hand. He starts by listening.
As the founder of FEI Architect based in Ipoh, Lam is known for designing with empathy and intention. His approach is shaped by one belief: good architecture serves the people who use it.
We do not go into a project with preconceived ideas of what we think the clients want. For us, we see what the clients want and try to work towards their vision. – Lam Shen Fei[4]
This ethos came to life in one of his most celebrated projects: the vibrant transformation of SMJK Poi Lam’s school hall. Once a muted, underused space, the “Hall of Joy” is now a colourful, community-centred hub.
Its design draws inspiration from kampung rooftops for better ventilation, and the vibrant colours of the school’s sports houses[2].
The project clinched the top award in the Public Spaces (Professional) category at the Creative Colour Awards 2024, earning Lam international recognition and a USD 2,500 prize[1].
Lam’s portfolio is as diverse as it is purposeful. He has worked on schools, heritage sites, homes, hotels and public spaces, earning accolades such as the Rethinking the Future Top 45 Architects in Petaling Jaya (2021), Fun Empire Best Architecture Firms in Malaysia (2021) and many more[3].
At FEI Architect, the goal is not to impose, but to co-create.
At the end of the day, it is not so much of the architect’s vision. – Lam Shen Fei[4]
Lam’s designs reflect real people, real needs and real stories. He believes architecture isn’t about imposing a grand vision; it’s about listening, understanding, and designing spaces that truly serve their users.
#2: Shyuan Kuee – Designing And Building Without Costing The Earth
What if a building could be exquisite, resilient and yet gentle on the planet?
That’s the vision driving Ar. Shyuan Kuee, founder and design director of Kuee Architecture in Ipoh. With a career that began at global firms BDP and Foster + Partners in the UK, and degrees from the University of Sheffield and The Bartlett (UCL), Shyuan returned home to Malaysia with a clear purpose: to design buildings that are not only beautiful, but deeply sustainable[5].
My company’s slogan is simple: ‘Crafting exquisite buildings which do not cost the earth’. – Shyuan Kuee[6]
Her flagship project, 1 Lasam, embodies this ethos. As Perak’s first GBI Platinum-certified building, it redefines what sustainable development can look like, earning the PAM Silver Award in the Sustainable Development Goals category and a place on The Edge–PAM Green Excellence Award shortlist in 2022.
Shyuan’s vision of sustainability isn’t just about solar panels or rainwater harvesting. It’s about inclusion, longevity, and thoughtful design that adapts to people’s needs over time.
I do hope that my persistence and passion for sustainability can be continuously demonstrated through my work… ultimately making the world a better place for everyone. – Shyuan Kuee[6]
A UK Chartered Architect and certified GBI Facilitator, Shyuan also lends her expertise to NGOs through pro-bono design, proving that doing good and doing well can and should go hand in hand.
Looking ahead, she’s pushing her studio toward net-zero carbon projects, aligning her practice with global climate goals and calling on the industry to adopt more responsible standards grounded in the UN Sustainable Development Goals[6].
#3: Rien Tan Kwon Chong – Designing From The Roots, For The Future
What does it mean to return home, not just to live but to build for the future?
That’s the question guiding Ar. Rien Tan Kwon Chong, founder of TKC Architect, who returned to his hometown of Pontian Kechil as its first local architect.
As the first architect to emerge from the quiet fishing village, Rien carries both pride and responsibility: to reimagine familiar landscapes without erasing their stories.
My ambition is to introduce innovative elements while meticulously preserving the cultural essence of the fishing village. – Rien Tan Kwon Chong[6]
It’s a principle that runs deep in his practice, TKC Architect (Think Kreative Concept Architects), which he founded in 2020 after gaining experience in Osaka, Taipei, and New York. For Rien, modernity and heritage are not at odds, they can exist side by side, in conversation rather than conflict[7].
His award-winning SkyBlox Co-Living in Setapak is a clear reflection of this thinking. As Malaysia’s first prefabricated volumetric co-living development, it offers an urban housing solution that is modular, sustainable, and human-centred.
The modular design, passive ventilation, and shared spaces offer a sustainable and community-focused alternative to typical urban housing[6].
The project has gained both local and global recognition, including the PAM Awards 2024, UIA 2030 Award, Seoul Design Award 2024, Taiwan Golden Pin Design Award, and Australia Sustainability Awards.
My design philosophy, “inspired to inspire”, forms the foundation of my approach. Every project holds meaning shaped by its users, clients, and community. – Rien Tan Kwon Chong[6]
Sustainability is not just a feature of his work; it’s a mindset. In SkyBlox, Rien introduces the idea of “The Nature”, softening the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces and creating harmony between people and the environment.
Every innovative step, down to the smallest detail, signifies a glimpse into the future of sustainable housing. – Rien Tan Kwon Chong[6]
Moving forward, Rien hopes to see Malaysian architecture embrace more collaboration, inclusivity, and technology, while staying deeply rooted in cultural heritage[6].
#4: Loh Mei Ee – Where Heritage Meets Bold New Possibilities
For Ar. Loh Mei Ee, architecture is about more than structures; it’s about creating spaces that respect history, honour the environment, and serve people meaningfully.
As principal and co-founder of Mei Ee Architect in George Town, Penang, Mei has quietly made her mark through projects that blend sensitivity with bold design.
One standout example is Rackson House, a pre-war shophouse on Jalan Bagan Jermal transformed into a contemporary office space[8].
Rather than overwrite the past, Mei introduced a glass-and-steel annexe that complements the original building’s charm, a balance of preservation and innovation that won her a Bronze A’ Design Award in 2022[6].
This project serves as a showcase of my commitment to preserving heritage while infusing modern design elements. – Loh Mei Ee[6]
Mei views every project as an opportunity to create thoughtful, sustainable spaces that elevate user experience. Every project begins with an understanding of space, climate, and people, ensuring that her designs are both environmentally conscious and responsive to client needs.
Integrating eco-friendly elements and leveraging the natural attributes of each site, I advocate for sustainable practices. It’s about contributing to a more environmentally responsible architecture industry. – Loh Mei Ee[6]
Beyond her design work, Mei also plays a key role in shaping the profession. As Honorary Secretary of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia’s (PAM) Northern Chapter, she champions thoughtful dialogue within the field.
Moving forward, she hopes to see more diversity and climate-conscious thinking take root in the industry.
It would be great if there were more women in the industry, which brings different perspectives. Also, I wish for architects to think more about the environment and create spaces that are good for both people and the planet. – Loh Mei Ee[6]
#5: Tan Bee Eu – Giving Old Buildings A Second Life
At the Penang Harmony Centre, sunlight filters through timber shutters, verandahs offer shade from the tropical heat, and quiet air flows naturally through open cross-ventilation. Once a colonial-era bungalow, the building has been transformed into a multicultural hub, not by erasing its past, but by honouring it[6].
The project won The Edge–PAM Green Excellence Award in 2021. For Ar. Tan Bee Eu, this kind of design is the goal.
Be humble yet confident. Be frugal yet creative. Be simple yet stylish. – Tan Bee Eu[6]
As the founder of BETA Architect (BEu Tan Architect) in Penang, Tan leads with a belief in building less and reusing more.
Her award-winning work on the Harmony Centre preserved over 95% of the original structure, integrating passive design strategies without losing the spirit of the place[9].
The project celebrates greatness in simplicity, honesty in materiality and harmony in diversity. – Tan Bee Eu[6]
It’s a philosophy shaped by years of practice across private and international firms, and one she now passes on, both in her civic design work and in the classroom[10].
Looking ahead, she hopes to champion the adaptive reuse of not just heritage buildings, but also other old or abandoned public structures such as warehouses, stadiums, and schools.
Wherever possible, the idea is to build less and repurpose more. – Tan Bee Eu[6]
#6: Esmonde Yap Shiwen – Building Impact Beyond The Structure
For Ar. Esmonde Yap Shiwen, architecture is more than just form and function. It’s a tool to connect people, care for the environment, and celebrate the local, all while reimagining the way we live and build.
As the co-founder of Spatial Factors Architects, Esmonde brings this vision to life through public installations, timber-focused designs, and climate-conscious spaces that quietly serve both the people and the planet[11].
His work is deeply rooted in craft and context, shaped not only by his studies under Glenn Murcutt in Australia, but also by Malaysia’s own blend of tradition and rapid change.
What inspires me about being an architect in Malaysia is the blend of tradition and modernity. We get to weave our rich heritage into designs while facing the challenges of rapid urban growth. – Esmonde Yap Shiwen[12]
This ability to merge the poetic with the practical hasn’t gone unnoticed. Esmonde received the MIID Emerging Designer Award in 2023, the PAM–Archidex Best Curated Booth Award in 2022, and multiple ILAM Insta Sculpture medals[12].
But Esmonde doesn’t stop at practice. He speaks at forums, mentors young architects, and leads design workshops with PAM and MIID, always returning to the idea that architecture is a responsibility, not just a profession.
Take every challenge as a chance to grow. Architecture is about more than buildings. It’s about creating spaces that connect people and support sustainability. Be bold, creative, and design with purpose. – Esmonde Yap Shiwen[12]
For Esmonde, building is never just about the physical. It’s about the impact that lasts long after the structure stands.
Thinking Of Studying Architecture Or Design In Malaysia?
If you’re inspired by these architects and dreaming of shaping your own path in design, there are many great places to start right here in Malaysia.
Whether you’re passionate about sustainable architecture, placemaking, or urban innovation, our local universities offer strong foundations to help you grow.
Consider studying at top institutions like Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Taylor’s University, UCSI University, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
Explore Our Sources:
- D. J. Wong. (2025). 4 Malaysian Designers Just Won Global Awards For Their Beautiful & Purpose-Driven Projects. Says.com. Link.
- FEI Architect. (2025). Sports Venues. Link.
- Galeri Khazanah. (2025). Ar. Lam Shen Fei. Link.
- E. Khoo. (2020). Designworks: Creating meaningful and relevant spaces. The Edge Malaysia. Link.
- Kuee Architecture. (2025). Ar. IDr. Shyuan Kuee. Link.
- The City & Country Team. (2024). Shaping meaningful spaces with empathy and good conscience. The Edge Malaysia. Link.
- INSPIRELI. (2025). Rien Tan Kwon Chong. Link.
- Mei Ee Architect. (2025). AR. LOH MEI EE. Link.
- BETA. (2025). Beta Founder. Link.
- Tatler Asia. (2025). Tan Bee Eu. Link.
- TIMB3R. (2025). Designers 4.0. Ar. Esmonde Yap Shi Wen. Link.
- Instagram @Acya.arcasia. (2024). Ar. Esmonde Yap Shiwen. Link.
