RITE OF PASSAGE

Tatler speaks to the renowned father-and-daughter ecoarchitects Hijjas Kasturi and Serina Hijjas, who illuminate the bonds of kinship that intertwine seamlessly with their shared passion for sustainable design

- Elizabeth Soong 

"Hello, boss. You look dapper in your suit,” Serina Hijjas says as she greets her father Hijjas Kasturi, clad in a handsome red Boss jacket for the Tatler cover shoot in Mövenpick Hotel & Convention Centre KLIA, Sepang, a green landmark development on the firm’s portfolio. Her tone carries an equal mix of affection and respect for her 88-year-old father, the “big boss” at their architecture firm, Hijjas Architects + Planners.

Walking through the corridors of the hotel they designed, which opened in 2018, they tell me that it was constructed to facilitate visa and immigration processes for Hajj pilgrims about to embark on their journey to Mecca. Hijjas explains there’s no hotel designed quite like this, with large open spaces to accommodate the large crowds of pilgrims, a modern take on traditional Islamic architecture and energy-efficient features including solar panels, light sensors and recycled building materials.

Observing the father and daughter together, it’s clear they have great synergy, partly due to years of shared professional experience. Hailed as the father of modern Malaysian architecture, Hijjas founded his architectural practice in 1977 and has been influential in shaping the country’s landscape with designs for iconic city landmarks such as Menara Tabung Haji, Menara Maybank and Menara Telekom. He retired in 2011, entrusting the stewardship of the firm to his daughter’s capable leadership. The proud dad says, “Serina’s wealth of experience speaks for itself. Having worked alongside me for so long, it is quite natural for her to take over; everything just fell into place. In a way, the legacy has been passed on, and not only that, she’s improving it. She brings fresh perspectives, working with a dynamic and supportive team.