The chosen site for the new MAIWP headquarters is a strategically located, undeveloped plot consisting of eight shophouse lots along Lorong Haji Hussein.
The new MAIWP headquarters is designed to blend seamlessly with the existing Daruzzakah Building, combining modern and traditional elements. The design prioritises comfort and convenience for visitors and staff while reflecting the corporate image of an Islamic institution. The tower features six Islamic pointed arches symbolising the six pillars of faith and five segmented structures representing the five pillars of Islam. This tiered design creates a dynamic and progressive image, symbolising MAIWP as a forward-looking Islamic institution.
MAIWP envisions the new headquarters as a unifying space for most of its departments and staff in the Federal Territory, promoting long-term cost savings and enhanced operational efficiency. The building aims to become a landmark in Kuala Lumpur, symbolising a progressive and dynamic Islamic institution. The design process for the new headquarters was meticulous and thorough. While aesthetic appeal was important, the primary focus was on achieving functional objectives within the allocated budget.
The 27-story tower’s external façade features cutting-edge materials that reflect modern, contemporary, and minimalist characteristics, emphasising simplicity, elegance, and strength. The use of glass and aluminium ensures ease of installation and compliance with industrial building system standards. Steel frame structures are used only at the tower’s pinnacle, achieving a robust and refined arch design. The unique, tiered arches serve both as aesthetic decorations and functional storage rooms, housing the building maintenance units. The curved glass enveloping the tower was carefully selected from a range of blue hues, resulting in an exclusive and sophisticated exterior. All these strategies, specifically the tapering peak, create the illusion of the tower being taller than its 27 floors.
The design of this tower incorporates an open concept in its main lobby area, welcoming the public. The main entrance lobby, with its three-level open space, showcases the prayer room on the ground floor and invites public use. Retail arcades are also located on the preceding level and can be accessed by the public.
During Friday congregational prayers, the prayer space is not limited to the mosque area only but extends to all three floors up to the main lobby, which can be utilised as an overflow prayer space. This is one of the public facilities provided by MAIWP in this tower, in addition to the easy accessibility for the disabled and the operation of zakat collection services at the nearby Darruzzakah Building.
From both external and internal perspectives, the overall Menara MAIWP building consistently showcases modern Islamic architectural ornamentation decor. A seamless pedestrian plaza connects the MAIWP Tower with the Daruzzakah Building, forming a unified development. This integration is further enhanced through careful architectural translation, material selection, and colour schemes that complement each other, ensuring a cohesive and harmonious design.
The MAIWP Tower project exemplifies how modern architecture can seamlessly integrate with traditional elements to create spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This development not only enhances the Kuala Lumpur city skyline but also serves as a beacon of timeless architectural design.
