Merdeka PNB118: 2023 Winner

The SKYDB Awards recognize high-rise buildings that unite architectural quality with practical performance, and Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur was selected as the 2023 SKYDB Awards Winner.

The 678.9-meter tower stands beside Stadium Merdeka, where Malaysian independence was declared in 1957. Its faceted glass surfaces and long spire refer to the raised-hand gesture made by Tunku Abdul Rahman during that declaration. Offices occupy most of the tower, with a Park Hyatt hotel and observation spaces placed at the upper levels.

A high-strength concrete core and perimeter megacolumns carry the loads of the sharply tapered structure. The tower anchors a larger precinct that includes new public space and direct transit connections around the historic stadium. The award recognizes a supertall building whose profile is tied to a specific national event and whose base is planned as part of a wider urban district.

Architect: Fender Katsalidis, with RSP Architects