Director, Hijjas Kasturi Associates
This generation architect, Serina Hijjas is one of the creative directors at HIJJAS architects & planners and is known for changing the building landscape of architecture through buildings that are responsive, energy conscious + bold. Her formative years exposed her to energy efficiency and sustainable design and have culminated in projects like the Heriot Watt University ‘green campus’, Celcom Tower ‘interconnective offices’ and EPIC waste training center. Through a series of energy award buildings, the approach to design is holistic, responsive of placemaking + context with a view in generating new environmental sustainable specific strategies in every project.
The Malaysia Pavilion at Dubai EXPO designed by HIJJAS architects & planners will be the first Net Zero Carbon Pavilion at EXPO envisioned as a Pavilion in synergy with Nature inspired by the Rainforest and Malaysian traditional architecture of building on stilts. In the Canopy of trees and touching the ground lightly, the Malaysia Pavilion hopes to inspire its nation on the importance of sustainable growth. Currently HIJJAS is working with BIG & Ramboll on the BioDiverCity Penang South Islands, envisioning 12 strong sustainable principles for three urban lily pad islands where cultural, ecological and economic growth can co-exist. Serina Hijjas is the Chairman of Green Building Index Accreditation Panel and Vice President of Malaysia Green Building Council in hopes to bring awareness to flatten the current carbon trajectory.
