Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) is working with developers to create the master plan for Malaysia’s 582-acre Discovery City.
The precinct is located within the RM27 billion (US$6.2 billion) Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC), a 7,290-acre (2,950-hectare) city in the southern state of Johor, near Singapore.
ZHA will lead the design of Discovery City and will also design the masterplan’s centerpiece, a RM269 million (US$61.5 million) cultural centre, the firm’s first building in Malaysia.
HIJJAS Architects and Planners is the local project architect and AJM-Planning and Urban Design Group Sdn Bhd (APUDG) is the local master planner and principal applicant (PSP) for Discovery City’s master plan.
Discovery City will primarily use locally sourced and recycled materials and will integrate renewable energy generation and rainwater harvesting to reduce energy and water consumption.
Datuk Sr. Akmal Ahmad, vice-chairman of developer JLand Group, said: “Our partnership with ZHA reflects our commitment to regional and international collaboration. IBTEC is strategically located and aims to be a cutting-edge hub with smart infrastructure that drives innovation while ensuring sustainable growth for the future. We expect this progressive development to strengthen IBTEC’s presence in the region. It will enhance its investment location and key components within the multi-billion ringgit Johor Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), create jobs for local residents and strengthen JLG’s position as a comprehensive property developer. ”
Gianluca Lacana, director of Zaha Hadid Architects, said: “With our first project in Malaysia, we are committed to creating an extraordinary development that inspires and respects the surrounding environment.”
Detailed design of Discovery City is expected to begin in 2025.
Following a competition, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), in collaboration with JLand Group Sdn Bhd (JLG), has been selected to design Discovery City in Johor, Malaysia. The precinct will be a visionary 582-acre mixed-use precinct within Johor’s sprawling Ibrahim Technopolis.
ZHA’s first project in Malaysia, Discovery City is designed to offer a combination of innovative design and sustainability and blend seamlessly into the local landscape.
Zaha Hadid Architects will lead the design of Discovery City, including the Cultural Centre, which will be the focal point of the masterplan and ZHA’s first completed building in Malaysia. Discovery City’s architectural vision aims to highlight Johor’s deep connection to its natural environment, in line with IBTEC’s overarching goal of fostering circular cities where innovation and sustainability thrive.
ZHA’s approach prioritises environmental sustainability, the integration of smart city technologies and minimising environmental impact. The master plan proposes to showcase advanced design and construction methods using locally sourced recycled materials, renewable energy production and rainwater harvesting to significantly reduce energy and water consumption.
Local expertise is an integral part of the project, with HIJJAS Architects and Planners acting as the local project architect and AJM-Planning and Urban Design Group Sdn Bhd (APUDG) acting as the local master planner and principal applicant (PSP) for the Discovery City development plan.
Discovery City is part of the larger IBTEC, which aims to be an environmentally conscious urban development that emphasises the concept of circular economy. Indeed, IBTEC has been strategically designed as a circular city to promote sustainable growth in South Malaysia.