Sustainability has become part of our everyday language, yet its true meaning is often lost in translation. It isn’t just a set of eco-friendly habits, but a philosophy of living that respects the balance between civic growth and planetary limits, whether that’s conserving natural resources, implementing equity, or cultivating economic resilience. However, it’s often glossed over and packaged as little more than a marketing-friendly tagline—at least to David Ong.
The Sarawakian architect, who was among the early advocates of Malaysia’s green building movement during the 2009 establishment of the Green Building Index (GBI), has a clear-eyed view of what the word should mean. “I think people tend to misunderstand the word sustainability,” he says. “For example, if someone were to purchase an EV car, having five more EV cars doesn’t make you sustainable.”
Ong argues that today’s wave of ‘green thinking’ isn’t so much an evolution as it is a return to the basics—though not everyone realises it. One major barrier is the perception that going green comes with a steep price tag. “The misconception in the market is that green is very expensive, and they are not willing to try because of hearsay,” he says. What’s needed now, he believes, is a renewed effort to educate clients and debunk outdated myths. “Green is actually very basic,” Ong insists.
After more than two decades in the industry, Ong now selects projects with greater intention, whether as principal of David Ong Architect or under the banners of GDA Architects and Greenscapes. “I’m not young anymore. If I take on a project now, it must resonate with me,” he says. “I’m not looking to do the same kind of projects day in and day out.” It’s the difficult projects—the ones others hesitate to touch—that motivate him most.
The Langit Citadines Kuching project, in many ways, presents a renewed purpose for Ong—but also one of the most challenging undertakings of his career. Towering over Kuching’s high-rise skyline at Jalan Tabuan, this new development project is a collaboration between Hock Seng Lee’s property arm, Neat Plan, and Singapore’s The Ascott Limited, a subsidiary of CapitaLand Investment. The project features two 27-storey towers: one offering 64 luxury condominiums by Hock Seng Lee, and the other housing 220 lifestyle-driven Citadines hotel units. A pair of exclusive clubhouse floors at levels 4 and 15 will link the towers, each reserved for residents and hotel guests, respectively. Construction has already begun, with expected completion within the next two-and-a-half to three years.
The project’s design was the result of Sarawak’s first-ever nationwide architectural competition in 2021, which attracted 112 entries worldwide. “Because it was based on a competition-winning scheme, we had to adapt Citadines’ operational needs and requirements, which were complex and super challenging,” Ong reveals. The experience, he reflects, pushed his team to be more creative, innovative, and efficient. “The constraints we faced actually helped us improve our creativity and design efficiency. We learned to make the best use of space without compromising quality, and that’s the biggest takeaway.”
highlights of this 2021 architecture competition winning entry.
Every creative has their own rhythm and, for Ong, it starts with listening. “If I were to design a house for you, I need to know you, your needs, your lifestyle, and what’s important to you,” he says. He likens the process to building a friendship through casual, open conversations. “We really have to talk, chit-chat like friends, and get to know each other. This is the first thing I do with all my clients.” Rather than relying on rigid formulas, Ong allows instinct and spontaneity to lead his early ideation process. Some of Ong’s best works, he says, begin in the bathroom—what he considers the most peaceful place in the world.
Despite a long list of professional accomplishments, Ong has yet to design the one project most personal to him—his own home. “It’s my dream designer house,” he shares. “But I think that will never happen. Architects find it so difficult to design their own homes, like how doctors aren’t great at being their own patients. Maybe when I retire and the stress of business is behind me, I’ll finally sit down and do it. It’ll be a design that never finishes, because I’ll keep trying to improve it. That’s the perfectionist in me.”
