The 678.9 meter high, by the Australian studio Fender Katsalidisdesigned skyscrapersMerdeka in Malaysia has become the second tallest building in the world. Built in downtown Kuala Lumpur, the 118-story giant now reaches its full height with the completion of the pointed tower. Merdeka 118 steals the title from the Shanghai Tower, designed by Gensler in China with a height of 632 meters.
Newly built and already the second tallest building in the world
As everyone already knows, the tallest building in the world is the 828 meter high Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Architect Adrian Smith designed this stunning building during his time at SOM. Fender Katsalidis began building Merdeka 118 in 2016 on a site overlooking Merdeka Stadium. This is a historically significant site built for Malaysia's declaration of independence in 1957. However, the building is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022. The architects are incredibly proud to have contributed to the creation of this building and its many common assets. These enrich one of Malaysia's most culturally significant sites, said Karl Fender, co-founder of Fender Katsalidis. Accordingly, it features a faceted facade made of triangular glass surfaces, which is modeled on patterns from Malaysian art and craftsmanship.
As the tallest building in the world, it encompasses more than 288,000 square meters of usable space and contains 158,000 square meters of rentable office space. In addition to offices, the super-tall skyscraper will also include various dining, retail and residential facilities. In addition, it should transform into a sought-after tourist destination. Public facilities include a hotel and a double-height observation deck. The latter is expected to be the highest in Southeast Asia. Merdeka 118 is also equipped with a 1.6 hectare leisure water park at its base.
This was designed by the Boston landscape architect Sasaki. In addition, the entire landscape is car-free and suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds. The studio also recently completed the tallest residential skyscraper in the Southern Hemisphere, punctuated by a cantilevered gold star.
