| p>The first glimps of Malaysia's modern architecture | | | | mesmerised by its dome shape arches, covered by a |
| begins at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). | | | | mosaic of mirrors that glitter like diamonds again light. |
| With rambling ceilings that resemble white Bedouin | | | | Seven Iranian-inspired brusque patterns form the |
| tents, the state-of-the-art KLIA boasts the world | | | | base of the viewing deck to represent the seven |
| tallest air traffic control tower at 120 meters, the | | | | layers of the sky. There is also a revolving restaurant |
| biggest columnless hanger and the biggest passanger | | | | that serves meals and drinks as guests soak in |
| lounge among many other destinctions. | | | | panoramic vistas of Kuala Lumpur. |
| Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa design KLIA as | | | | For its new administrative city, the Malaysian |
| an ' Airport in the Forest, Forest in the Airport '. Lush | | | | government has spared no expense making |
| rainforest trees in the boundries between the | | | | Putrajaya a feast for the eyes. Perdana Putra |
| physical strucrures of the building with its natural | | | | Building, at the center of the Putrajaya, is a six |
| green surroundings induce passenger comfort and | | | | storey granite building with green glass windows and |
| relaxition. | | | | surrounded by artificial mangrove lakes. The natural |
| Just 3.5 km away from KLIA is the Sepang F1 | | | | stone clad building is capped by an onion shaped main |
| Cuircuit which designed by Herman Tilke. This Sepang | | | | dome, resembling the Zahir mosque in Alor Setar, |
| F1's white awnings are reminiscent of overturned | | | | Kedah. Four smaller domes surround the main dome |
| seashells. This eye-catching design and functional | | | | and its collective form makes up its distinctive look. |
| element deflect sunlight. In terms of design, facilities | | | | The Putra Bridge, which spans 435 metres, and lies |
| and technology, Sepang F1 is one of the most | | | | opposite the Perdana Putra Building, is inspired by the |
| outstanding racing cuircuit in the world. | | | | design of the famous Khaju Bridge in isfahan, Iran. Its |
| Located right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the steel | | | | three deck bridge provides vehicle, monorail and |
| and glass Petronas Twin Towers soar 451 metres | | | | pedestrian access and its piers are the setting for |
| skywards. Cesar Pelli, the American architect, design | | | | fine dining restaurants. |
| the world's tallest twin towers by overlapping two | | | | The credit for Malaysia's new skyline of modern |
| squares - interlocking heaven and earth - to create | | | | architecture goes to the government during Tun |
| an eight-pointed star. The design is further refined | | | | Mahathir Mohammad premiership. More than mere |
| with half circles between the the star points, creating | | | | buildings, Malaysia's modern architecture is also a |
| a geometry that reflects the Islamic spirit of Malaysia. | | | | metaphor for the spirit of the country's aspirations. |
| But even before the Petronas Twin Towers took | | | | Malaysia aspires to be a progressive nation that looks |
| shape, Malaysia's skyline was dominated by Kuala | | | | to the future. Yet its architectural heritage is rooted |
| Lumpur Tower. Completed in 1996 as a | | | | in the past. Evidently, the country's modern buildings |
| telecummunications antenna, KL Tower doubles as a | | | | delicately balance between Malaysia's past, present |
| major tourist destination. Visitors are often | | | | and future. |