JLand Group partners Zaha Hadid Architects to develop mixed-use development at Ibrahim Technopolis in Johor

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• For context, IBTEC, which has a GDV of RM27 billion, is set to become a major circular city within the proposed Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone in the southern region.

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 20): JLand Group Sdn Bhd, the wholly owned subsidiary of Johor Corp (JCorp), has partnered with UK-based Zaha Hadid Architects to develop a 582-acre mixed-use development named Discovery City precinct within the 7,290-acre Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC) township in Johor.

For context, IBTEC, which has a gross development value (GDV) of RM27 billion, is set to become a major circular city within the proposed Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone in the southern region.

According to a press statement on Tuesday, Zaha Hadid Architects will lead the design for the project, while AJM-Planning and Urban Design Group Sdn Bhd (APUDG) will serve as the local master planner and the principal submitting person for the development order plan of Discovery City.

The statement said the design approach for Discovery City prioritises the harmonious integration with Johor's natural surroundings. Staying true to this vision, Zaha Hadid Architects will envision sustainable structures, smart city technologies and a commitment to minimising environmental impact.

The centrepiece of Discovery City will be a building called the Signature Gallery, which is projected to reach a GDV of RM269 million upon completion.

Commenting on the collaboration, JLand Group deputy chairman Datuk Akmal Ahmad said, "This partnership 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 worth billions of ringgit, creating jobs for the local community and cementing JLand Group’s position as an end-to-end real estate developer as a whole."

Meanwhile, the statement also highlighted that the development will adhere to both local and international standards, including the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation’s Low Carbon Cities Framework (LCCF) and international certifications like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

“By embracing circularity and fostering a symbiotic relationship between the built and natural environments, Discovery City aims to set a new benchmark for sustainable development in Malaysia and the entire region,” the statement added.

Representing Zaha Hadid Architects, its director Gianluca Racana said, “Discovery City will be our first project within Malaysia’s architectural landscape and we are honoured to be awarded this opportunity to explore how architecture can enhance its natural context, creating a synergy between the built and natural environments. We are committed to crafting an extraordinary development that will both inspire and respect its setting with our maiden project in Malaysia.”

Zaha Hadid Architects is a globally renowned architectural firm known for producing designs that were inspired by the organic forms within the natural world and the use of advanced technologies. Some of the firm’s award-winning designs include the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympic Games, Beijing Daxing International Airport in China and the BEEAH Headquarters in the United Arab Emirates.

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