The recently completed Merdeka 118 tower in Kuala Lumpur isn’t just mind-bendingly tall – it’s also on track to be one of the most sustainable mega-skyscrapers on the planet. This post dives into how Merdeka 118 became the world’s second tallest building, the engineering marvels behind its height, and the triple-platinum green building credentials it’s chasing. From its shimmering faceted design inspired by Malaysian heritage to the high-tech construction methods that raised it, here’s an inside look at an icon in the making.
A New Icon Rises
At 678.9 metres tall (2,228 feet), Merdeka 118 has claimed the title of the second tallest building in the world – second only to Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. The numbers are staggering: 118 storeys, including offices, hotels, and an observation deck that pierces the clouds. Its apex is crowned by a dramatic spire, contributing roughly 160 of those metres. For context, it’s almost twice the height of the Shard in London. The tower’s name “Merdeka” means “independence,” commemorating Malaysia’s independence declared in 1957 at a site just next door.
The building’s form is as striking as its height. Designed by Australian firm Fender Katsalidis, the faceted glass exterior features triangular patterns said to be inspired by patterns in Malaysian arts and crafts. As the tower tapers upward, it twists and scintillates – some see the silhouette of Tunku Abdul Rahman (Malaysia’s first Prime Minister) raising his hand in the iconic independence declaration gesture. Whether you see that or not, there’s no denying Merdeka 118 demands attention. By day, it’s a gleaming beacon; by night, its crown lights up, often in the national colours. In the base, a multi-level podium houses retail and public spaces, linking to the historic Stadium Merdeka and a new linear park, ensuring the tower isn’t just an isolated needle but part of a rejuvenated precinct.
Engineering Feats for Extreme Height
Constructing a building of this height in a city prone to tropical storms (and on a site with challenging geology) required some serious engineering ingenuity. The structural system comprises a robust reinforced concrete core paired with a system of exterior steel sheer walls and mega-columns. As the tower rises, the concrete transitions to steel to reduce weight. High-strength concrete – about 400,000 cubic metres of it – was used for lower floors and pumped to extraordinary heights. In fact, pumping concrete nearly half a kilometre up was a feat in itself, necessitating custom high-pressure pumps and carefully designed mix to prevent it from setting mid-journey!
For the steel spire and upper structure, engineers employed GPS monitoring to keep things plumb and true as the building swayed slightly in wind. Speaking of swaying, like all supertalls, Merdeka 118 has a tuned mass damper (a giant weight) near the top to counteract wind-induced vibrations and keep occupants comfortable. (No one wants to feel seasick on the 100th floor during a monsoon gust.)
One of the more breathtaking construction maneuvers was the installation of that 160-metre spire. Instead of using a super-tall crane (which would be impractical and risky at that height), the team used a hydraulic jack system to jack up the spire segment by segment from within. This leapfrog method meant the spire could be constructed safely, one piece at a time, then jacked into place, avoiding the need for an enormous crane dancing with a needle in the sky.
Foundation work also broke records: the piles extend over 100m into the ground to anchor the building to bedrock. And fun fact – Merdeka’s shadow is so long at certain times that it can cast into the grounds of the nearby Petronas Towers, the very buildings whose height record (for Malaysia) it surpassed.
Sky-High Sustainability: A Triple Platinum Ambition
Often, the taller the building, the larger the environmental footprint. But Merdeka 118’s developers aimed to turn that assumption on its head. They announced a goal for the tower to be the first in Malaysia with “triple platinum” green certifications. What does that mean? Essentially, they’re targeting top-tier ratings in multiple sustainability frameworks: LEED Platinum (from the US Green Building Council), Green Building Index (GBI) Platinum (Malaysia’s national green rating), and GreenRE Platinum (another Malaysian green certification). On top of that, they’re pursuing WELL certification to vouch for occupant health and wellbeing features.
So how does a giant skyscraper earn such laurels? Here are some of the sustainability features rumored or confirmed in Merdeka 118:
- High-performance façade: The glimmering glass isn’t just for looks. It’s a low-emissivity double-glazed system that reduces solar heat gain, keeping the interior cool and reducing air-conditioning load in Kuala Lumpur’s tropical climate. The triangular facets also help minimize glare and diffuse sunlight.
- Greywater and Rainwater Recycling: A building this size can collect a lot of rainwater. Systems capture and reuse it for irrigation of the surrounding park and for cooling tower make-up water. Water-efficient fixtures inside further reduce potable water use.
- Energy Efficient Systems: From LED lighting to regenerative drives in elevators (which recapture energy on the way down), the tower integrates many energy-saving technologies. The air conditioning is likely aided by an array of sensors and smart controls that adjust cooling only where needed. There are even hints of photovoltaic solar panels on parts of the podium or roof of the podium to generate renewable energy on-site (though obviously a spire isn’t ideal for solar panels!).
- Public Transport Integration: Sustainability isn’t just gadgets, it’s location. Merdeka 118 connects to mass transit (there’s an MRT station nearby and planned linkage to commuter rail), encouraging occupants and visitors to use trains instead of cars. The development includes improved pedestrian links and cycling amenities as well.
Achieving LEED Platinum is no small feat for an ordinary office block, let alone a supertall. But indeed, in April 2024 Merdeka 118 secured LEED Platinum certification under the Core & Shell rating, confirming its green credentials. This marked the tower as the first megatall building in Malaysia to reach LEED Platinum. The developers’ CEO highlighted that once all targeted platinum ratings are in hand, Merdeka 118 will “set the highest sustainability standards not only in Malaysia but also internationally”. It’s not just marketing fluff – being a flag-bearer for sustainability means influencing other projects to aim higher, and proving that size and sustainability can go hand in hand. The triple certification quest reinforces that image.
More than Offices: A Vertical City
Merdeka 118 is designed as a mixed-use vertical city. About 83 floors are offices (a lot of it will be occupied by government-linked companies, as the project is backed by Permodalan Nasional Berhad). Above that, around 12-15 floors will house a luxury hotel – reportedly a Park Hyatt – including some of the highest hotel rooms in the world. The top levels feature an observation deck and likely some entertainment/restaurant spaces, which will become a major tourist draw once opened. Imagine stepping out onto a viewing gallery nearly half a mile high – on a clear day you’ll probably see to the airport and beyond. The developers are also creating a landscaped Merdeka Boulevard and upgrading the historic Stadium Merdeka next door, integrating it into a heritage and sports complex. So, the tower is both an anchor and the jewel of a larger urban renewal scheme.
Local residents have watched the spire rising steadily over the Kuala Lumpur skyline through 2020–2022, with excitement and some trepidation. It’s a big change to the city’s profile, long dominated by the twin peaks of Petronas Towers (452m). There’s always debate: do we need another supertall? However, many have come around as the tower nears completion, seeing it as a new national achievement. In January 2024, the tower was officially inaugurated by the King of Malaysia. Public access (to the observation areas and perhaps a shopping mall in the podium) is expected to phase in by end of 2024 or early 2025 as the interior fit-outs complete. By 2025, it will fully open its doors, elevators, and likely a very high rooftop bar for the world to enjoy.
Visiting the Cloudbreaker
For construction aficionados or architects visiting KL, Merdeka 118 will surely be a pilgrimage site. You’ll want to approach from Petaling Street or Stadium Merdeka to really feel its towering presence from the historic ground where independence was declared. From there, the juxtaposition of the old stadium (preserved as a heritage site) and the futuristic spire is striking. It’s as if the past and future of Malaysia are having a conversation.
Once the observation deck opens, it’s bound to offer 360-degree views of the city and beyond. Fun fact: because KL lies in a valley surrounded by hills, the view from Merdeka 118 will likely include not just the urban landscape but also lush green highlands at the horizon. Few supertalls offer a view of both a modern metropolis and distant tropical jungle.
Engineers will appreciate display exhibits (we hope) about the construction – maybe that hydraulic spire jack, the mass damper, or the foundation cross-sections. Architects will enjoy how the crystalline exterior and repeating triangles form different patterns from different angles – a dynamic facade that plays with light.
And for the sustainably minded, Merdeka 118 might just be the tallest certified “green” building for now, pending maybe that Jeddah Tower (if it resumes) or other future contenders. It’s a testament that even skyscrapers are part of the climate solution when designed thoughtfully. The tower’s management will likely implement waste reduction and green cleaning practices to maintain those platinum creds, so you can feel a bit better about the footprint of that elevator ride to the skydeck.
Legacy of Merdeka 118
Beyond records and ratings, Merdeka 118 symbolizes Malaysia’s aspirations. It reflects a confidence and a willingness to push engineering boundaries last seen during the Petronas Towers era in the 1990s. Just as Petronas put KL on the map for supertalls (they were the world’s tallest 1998-2004), Merdeka 118 reiterates that position in a new century, with added emphasis on sustainability and cultural context.
It also injects momentum into the local construction industry – involving many Malaysian engineers, contractors, and workers who can transfer these skills to other projects. And in terms of city development, it’s expected to rejuvenate the Imbi area, drawing tourists and businesses.
As with any super-project, not everyone was on board initially. There were concerns about cost (over $1 billion) and necessity. But now that it’s a fait accompli, it’s hard not to feel a bit of pride when that spire catches the sunset or when international news mentions this towering achievement. For Brits reading this, think of it like when the Shard went up – initially divisive, now a beloved silhouette (and handy orientation point!).
In the case of Merdeka 118, its legacy will also be gauged by how well it delivers on its sustainability promises. If in a few years we see data that it’s operating energy use is impressively low for its size, it will bolster the argument that big can be green.
Standing at the base of Merdeka 118 and looking up, you might feel dizzy – it’s that tall. But you might also feel inspired. As engineers, architects, or builders, we can look at it and say: that’s what our community can accomplish, technically and aesthetically. And as humans concerned about our planet, we can hope: if even the skyscrapers are going green, we’re headed in the right direction.