Laurence Loh is Malaysia’s foremost conservation architect, renowned for restoring some of the country’s most iconic heritage buildings and shaping the philosophy of architectural preservation across Asia.

A self-taught architect with a deep reverence for history, Laurence Loh is the principal of Arkitek LLA, a Penang-based firm specializing in heritage conservation. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, he has led the restoration of national treasures such as the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion) and Suffolk House in Penang, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple in Melaka, and Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur—all of which have received UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for excellence in conservation.

Loh’s approach goes beyond preserving bricks and mortar. He champions adaptive reuse, sustainability, and community engagement, ensuring that restored buildings remain vibrant parts of contemporary life. His work on the UAB Building in George Town, for instance, not only revived a colonial-era structure but also earned Malaysia’s first LEED Gold certification for a heritage building, blending tradition with green designs.

In 2019, the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) awarded him the Gold Medal for Design Excellence, the highest honor in Malaysian architecture, recognizing his lifetime contributions to the field. He is also a respected educator and speaker, sharing insights on conservation ethics and urban heritage at international forums.

Laurence Loh’s legacy lies in his belief that heritage is not a burden but a resource and a living dialogue between past and future. His work continues to inspire architects, policymakers, and communities to see old buildings not as relics, but as vessels of identity, memory, and possibility.