Zaha Hadid Architects to masterplan 582-acre ‘smart city’ in Malaysia

The precinct will sit within the RM 27 billion (US$6.2 billion) Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC), a 7,290-acre (2,950-hectare) township in Johor in the south of the country, close to Singapore.

ZHA will lead the Discovery City design, in addition to designing the centrepiece of the masterplan – the RM269 million (US$61.5 million) cultural centre, which will be the practice’s first building in Malaysia.

HIJJAS Architects and Planners is the local project architect while AJM-Planning and Urban Design Group Sdn Bhd (APUDG) serve as the local master planner and the Principal Submitting Person (PSP) for the Development Order plan of Discovery City.

Proposed interior concept for office buildings within Discovery City (Image courtesy of ZHA)

Discovery City will prioritise the use of locally sourced and recycled materials as well as incorporate renewable power generation and rainwater harvesting to reduce energy and water consumption.

Datuk Sr Akmal Ahmad, deputy chairman of developer JLand Group, said, “This partnership with ZHA reflects our commitment for regional and international collaboration. IBTEC is designed to be a cutting-edge hub, strategically located and built with smart infrastructure to drive innovation, all while ensuring sustainable growth for the future. With this advanced development, it is hoped that it will enhance IBTEC’s presence in the region, as an investment destination and a key component within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) worth billions of ringgit, creating jobs for the local community and cement JLG’s position as an end-to-end real estate developer as a whole.”

Gianluca Racana, director at Zaha Hadid Architects, said, “With our maiden project in Malaysia, we are committed to crafting an extraordinary development that will both inspire and respect its setting.”

The launch of Discovery City’s detailed design is anticipated in 2025.