Monash University Malaysia will develop a new campus at Tun Razak Exchange through a partnership with TRX City Sdn Bhd

Monash University Malaysia has announced its partnership with TRX City Sdn Bhd, the master developer of Tun Razak Exchange, to establish a campus for the university in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The new campus, designed by Grimshaw and GDP, will be one of the university’s largest international education commitments and forms a key part of Malaysia’s International Financial Centre.

Located in the TRX Urban Quarter, the vertical campus concept for the 1.5million ft2 development is shaped by its dense city context and the university’s ambition to create a world class sustainable, interactive eco-system for education. Ultimately accommodating 22,000 students when it opens in 2032, the design works in direct relationship with the evolved pedagogy of the university where learning is active and collaborative, enabling exchange between departments and disciplines and the advancement of knowledge.

The campus is conceived as a series of blocks which are stacked and rotated over a common podium, each capped with landscaped terraces and student amenities. This 22-storey development forms itself around a vibrant quadrant, with vertical circulation zones rising from the ground level. Teaching and learning spaces sit at the lower levels, with the upper levels programmed for more complex research and workplace accommodation. The connection and access between the blocks, across the quadrant, and within the terraces – all of which accommodate lush native planting of the rich tropical climate and biodiverse environment – inherently connects students and cross-pollinates activities across the university, mirroring the 24/7 city life beyond. The quadrant will become the hub of student life – an open space for informal and formal gatherings, outdoor learning, graduations, events and conventions.

‘Monash University Malaysia will not only transform the university’s offer in the city but also sets learning and research distinctly within the city: connecting education with economy and knowledge with urban regeneration, for a more dynamic and cognisant university life.’ Keith Brewis, Partner, Grimshaw 

With an ambition to deliver a highly sustainable healthy campus, deeply connected to its tropical climate and landscape, almost every space will offer students and staff visual or physical access to indigenous greenery, improved air quality and views across the city and to the mountains. Passive environmental design strategies weave comfort cooled and naturally ventilated spaces between air-conditioned rooms, to minimise energy consumption. The project is targeting LEED Gold and GBI Platinum certification, towards the university’s net zero targets. A slender student accommodation tower to the south-eastern corner of the site will complete the campus masterplan.

This new campus will complement and sit as a key part of the wider Tun Razak Exchange masterplan, including the Lifestyle Quarter which was masterplanned by Grimshaw for the Lendlease and TRX City Joint Venture in 2015.

It puts the university at the heart of the city: a campus that will be well-connected to public transport infrastructure and amenities and will capitalise on the emerging partnerships between academia and industry, attracting the best students, academics and staff from all over the world.