Sarly Adre Sarkum
Sarly Adre Sarkum is an architecture futurist, sustainability proponent and design activist. Currently he helms the hybrid architectural design firm SA or Sarly Adre Sarkum Architecture Sdn. He is the Immediate Past President of the Malaysia Green Building Confederation which is Malaysia's Green Building Council under the auspices of the World Green Building Council.
Sarly Adre Sarkum

Hanihussin · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Name
- Ar.
- Birthplace
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Born
- 1 May 1975
- Education
- Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Universiti Sains Malaysia, University of Liverpool
- Occupation
- Architect
- Nationality
- Malaysia
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Sarly Adre Sarkum is an architecture futurist, sustainability proponent and design activist. Currently he helms the hybrid architectural design firm SA or Sarly Adre Sarkum Architecture Sdn. He is the Immediate Past President of the Malaysia Green Building Confederation which is Malaysia's Green Building Council under the auspices of the World Green Building Council.
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Sarly Adre Sarkum (born 1975) is an architect, of Malaysian nationality. The architect was born in Kuala Lumpur. Sarly Adre Sarkum was educated at Malay College Kuala Kangsar and Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 28 September 2026
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In this article
Biography
Biography
He is also currently an elected council member of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (The Malaysian Institute of Architects). He was one of the five directors of the Green Building Index (GBI) Green Building Certification System and served as GBI Accreditation Panel as well. In 2010 he also developed the Seascraper for the Evolo Skyscraper Competition in 2010.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Ar. Sarly Adre Sarkum • Birthplace — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • Born — 1 May 1975 • Education — Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Universiti Sains Malaysia, University of Liverpool • Practice — [SA]² or Sarly Adre Sarkum Architecture Sdn. Bhd. • Occupation — Architect
Early life and education
Early life and education
• Illustration — Malay College Kuala Kangsar Sarly Adre was born in 1975 at the Hospital Besar Kuala Lumpur. His primary education was at Sekolah Kebangsaaan Tengku Raudzah in Alor Setar, Kedah, Wellesley Primary School in Penang and King George V Primary School in Negeri Sembilan. Despite his personal struggle with dyslexia his excellent performance in the primary year 5 National Standardised Assessment Exam earned him a place in the premier school Malay College Kuala Kangsar. He later did his 'A' Levels in Mara Science College Kuala Lumpur (MSMKL - Maktab Sains Mara Kuala Lumpur) in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur in 1993 he won the nationwide science essay writing competition by BP (British Petroleum) Malaysia with his essay entitled "Renewable Energy Resources for a Sustainable Development in Malaysia" which he became Malaysia's representative for the 35th London International Youth Science Forum under BP's full sponsorship. He continued his architectural preparatory studies at Institut Teknologi Mara Shah Alam. He subsequently obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with Honours from the University of Liverpool. After returning to Malaysia he spent a year out for practical experience and to complete a family project after which he pursued a post graduate degree at Universiti Sains Malaysia. He was conferred the Bachelor of Architecture (Honours). He was also awarded the 'Gold Medal' for being the best student in Architecture at the university in 2001. His graduating Project Neo Tamingsari - Cynosural Nexus For Cyber Technetronic Defence was chosen to represent Malaysia in the first Archiprix International in Rotterdam Netherlands as one of the world's best graduating project. The project was supervised by Dr Ku Azhar Ku Hassan, Dr Kenneth Yeang and Mr. Azmiluddin. At the Archprix International Workshop he led the team consisting of Japanese architects Maya Nishikori and Tsuyoshi Noguchi, under the supervision of Kamiel Klaasse with Michel Schreinemachers to collaborate on a project named Phat House. The Phat House is a house that transforms itself in accordance with the users tendencies and whims with reference to the emerging 'hip hop' culture in Hoogvliet, Rotterdam.
2001–2005
2001–2005
Sarly Adre started work with Penang's largest firm at the time Azza Associate Architect (Penang)
2005–2008
2005–2008
Sarly Adre then became a Senior Architect at FAA Architect in Kuala Lumpur
2008–2009
2008–2009
Sarly Adre became Associate Director at Aza Project Consultancy Sdn Bhd
2009–2013
2009–2013
Upon obtaining his Part 3 Professional Architecture License from the Board or Architects Malaysia. He became a partner at BDA Architects Sdn Bhd and led the Kuala Lumpur office of the Architectural Firm.
2013–Current
2013–Current
After relinquishing all shares of BDA Architects Sdn. Bhd.in 2013 Sarly Adre then founded and led [SA]² or Sarly Adre Sarkum Architecture Sdn. Bhd. which epitomised his belief in a new form of architectural practice which uses disruptive technologies at its very core to generate more efficiency and facilitate better design.
2019–2024
2019–2024
He has been appointed Associate Professor (Industry) by the University of Malaya at the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment
2024–Current
2024–Current
Ar. Sarly Adre Sarkum was appointed as the chief executive officer of the Green Building Index (GBI) with a clear mandate to revitalise the organisation and reaffirm its position as the nation’s leading green building certification body.
Exhibitions
Exhibitions
• 12th Venice Biennale of Architecture (2010) - Representing Malaysia • 13th Venice Biennale of Architecture (2012) - Representing Malaysia He design the Malaysian Pavilion display to hold all the other exhibits, the polymorphic form was dubbed 'The Armature' was constructed out of steel. • 14th Venice Biennale of Architecture (2014) - He played a pivotal role in the representing Malaysia in the 14th Venice Biennale of Architecture as co-curator of the Malaysian Pavilion. The Malaysian pavilion had a theme of "Sufficiency" which promotes the idea to satisfy the need rather than the want. The theme resonated well with the overall exhibition theme of 'Fundamentals" which was directed and curated by Rem Koolhaas. As a firm he submitted a piece of work titled "3D Printed Neighbourhood" as a response to the overwhelming need for housing in the coming century. • Malaysia Pavilion - After the successful showing of the Malaysian Pavilion in the Venice Biennale of Architecture (2014), the whole Malaysian Pavilion was reconstructed and showcased at Taylor's University Lakeside Campus in January 2015 for the benefit of the Malaysian Public. • 30 Under 40: Revisited 2015 - Exhibition highlighting selected works of architects showcased in the 30 under 40: Emerging Architects book after nearly five years the book has been published.
2023 - Current
2023 - Current
Ar. Sarly Adre Sarkum was appointed as a Panel of Experts (PoE) by the Minister of the Ministry of Local Government Development (Kementerian Pembangunan Kerajaan Tempatan, KPKT) YB Nga Kor Ming in 2023. His appointment to this distinguished panel underscores his critical role in advising on architectural, urban planning, and sustainable development matters at the national level. Within the PoE framework, Ar. Sarly contributed his extensive expertise in architecture and green building and took on a leadership role by spearheading the subcommittee focusing on local authorities.
Appearance in other media
Appearance in other media
• Culturetrip Article "10 Inspirational Malaysian Activists Who Changed The Nation" by Michelle Leong published 25 March 2018
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1975
Sarly Adre Sarkum was born on 1 May 1975.
Appearance in books
• 30 under 40 - Emerging Malaysian Architects - - Publisher: PAM Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (Malaysian Institute of Architects) - Year Published: 2013 - Pages 133 pgs • Cities of Tomorrow - Envisioning The Future of Urban Habitat - Edited by: Carlo Aiello - - Publisher: Evolo Press - Year Published: 2013 - Pages: 122 pgs • Schwimmende Wohnbauten: Grundlagen (German) (Floating Residential Buildings: Basics) - Authors: Horst Stopp and Peter Strangfeld - - Publisher: Beuth Praxis Year Published: 2012 - Pages: 194 pgs
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Sarly Adre Sarkum”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q27734838: Sarly Adre Sarkum
General reference · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Fox, Stuart. Concept Waterscraper Brings Monumental Architecture Into The Open Sea. www.popsci.com. Popular Science Magazine. 12 March 2010.
- 2.Pilkington Glass News. Future Architecture for Combating Environmental Changes. www.pilkington.com. 12 December 2011.
- 3.American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). Sky Scraper of the Future. eGFI Magazine & Website.
- 4.Malaysia's Green Building Tool and Its Best Practices Sarly Adre Sarkum, MGBC. Asian Green Buildings. 13 June 2014.
- 5.K, Emily. Seminar to promote adoption of green buildings in Malaysia. The Star, Malaysia (Community Section). 26 August 2015.
- 6.Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. 9th Asia Pacific Structural Engineering and Construction Conference & 8th ASEAN Civil Engineering Conference (APSEC-ACEC 2015). 5 November 2015.
- 7.Prakash, Gana. Malaysians amongst Asia's top young architects and interior designers. Citizen Journalists Malaysia - Telling The Rakyat's Story. Citizen Journalists Malaysia. 2 April 2015.
- 8.Kok, Yen Kwan. MGBC Board Members 2016 - 2017. Malaysia Green Building Confederation. 14 May 2016.
- 9.Sulong, Suryati. List of PAM Council 2016-2017. PAM official Website. Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia. May 2016.
- 10.Ibrahim, Zarina. PAM council Member 2016-2017. Malaysian Institute of Architects. 15 May 2016.
- 11.Abdul Kadir, Rosmalina. KOSMO: Arkitek Disleksia - menangkis stigma lembam. KOSMO Newspaper. 2011.
- 12.Kaur, Darshan. MARA Student Wins Trip to London for Science Forum. New Straits Times. 22 July 1993.
- 13.35th London International Youth Science Forum. www.liysf.org.uk. 1995.
- 14.Universiti Sains Malaysia. Thesis Project Title - Final Year Architecture. Housing Building Planing Faculty.
- 15.Wan Abidin, Wan Burhanuddin. Minutes of Academic Meeting 01 - USM School of Housing Building and Planning. www.hbp.usm.my. Universiti Sains Malaysia. 20 February 2001.
- 16.The Archiprix Foundation, Archiprix international. NEO TAMINGSARI CYNOSURAL NEXUS FOR CYBER TECHNETRONIC DEFENCE. Archiprix international. 2001.
- 17.Archiprix Foundation, Archiprix International. Designer and Project Profile. Archiprix Foundation. 2001.
- 18.PAM Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia. BDA Architects Sdn Bhd Profile. PAM Directory. 3 July 2012.
- 19.Sarkum, Sarly Adre. University Malaya Staff Directory. UM Expert. 2019.
- 20.Mostra Internazionale di Architettura, Venezia. National Participations - 12th International Architecture Exhibition. www.labiennale.org.
- 21.Exibart.com. 12. Mostra Internazionale di Architettura - Malesia. www.exibart.com. 21 November 2010.
- 22.Mostra Internazionale di Architettura, Venezia. National Participations - 13th International Architecture Exhibition. www.labiennale.org.
- 23.Art Tribune. 13. Mostra Internazionale di Architettura - Malesia. www.artribune.com. 28 August 2012.
- 24.Sia, Andrew. Showcase of explosive ideas. The Star, The People's Paper. 23 July 2013.
- 25.Rafizan, Megat. VOICES: The Malaysia Pavilion for the 13th Venice Architecture Biennale 2012. GRADUATION SHOW 2012. Andy Simionato. 6 September 2012.
- 26.A century of 'painful process' at Venice Architecture Biennale 2014. The Star, Malaysia's Leading Daily. 10 June 2014.
- 27.Mostra Internazionale di Architettura, Venezia. National Participations - 14th International Architecture Exhibition. www.labiennale.org.
- 28.14. Mostra Internazionale di Architettura - Malesia. Artribune. 6 June 2014.
- 29.The Edge Property. Malaysian architects to showcase work at Venice Biennale. 6 June 2014.
- 30.New Sabah Times (English). Malaysia to be Represented at Venice Biennale 2014. 21 May 2014.
- 31.Watkins, Katie. Sufficiency – Inside the Malaysia Pavilion at the 2014 Venice Biennale. Arch Daily. Arch Daily - the world's most visited architecture website. 26 July 2014.
- 32.Malaysian architects to showcase work at Venice Biennale - The Edge Financial Daily. 6 June 2014.
- 33.Wainwright, Oliver. Rem Koolhaas's Venice Biennale will 'be about architecture, not architects'. The Guardian Daily UK. 12 March 2014.
- 34.Ing., Dog. "3D Printed Neighbourhood" by Sarly Adre Sarkum, Qhawarizmi Norhisham, Yasmin Abdul Rahman, Erdayu Os'hara Omar [Venice - 28 June 2014]. Flickr. Dog. Inc. 28 June 2014.
- 35.Venice Biennale 2014, Malaysia Pavilion. Architecture Malaysia Vol.27 Issue 1. 10 March 2015.
- 36.Ng, Karmun. 'Malaysia Pavilion' premiered at La Biennale de Venezia 2014 arrives in Malaysia. Malaysia Tatler. 8 January 2015.
- 37.Sheela, Chandran. Designs by some of Malaysia's innovative architects on exhibit. The Star - Section 2. 14 October 2015.
- 38.Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM). 30 under 40 - Emerging Malaysian Architects. Behance. October 2011.
- 39.Aiello, Carlo. Cities of Tomorrow - Envisioning The Future of Urban Habitat. shop.evolo.us. Evolo Press. 1 January 2013.
- 40.Aiello, Carlo. Cities of Tomorrow: Envisioning the Future of Urban Habitat. eVolo Press. January 2013. 9781938740176.
- 41.Beuth Verlag GmbH. Floating Residential - Basics. www.beuth.de. June 2012.
- 42.Leong, Michelle. 10 Inspirational Malaysian Activists Who Changed The Nation. CultureTrip (Asia). 25 March 2018.
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Studied at
1- Universiti Sains MalaysiaOrganisation
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Sarly Adre Sarkum is recorded as having studied at Malay College Kuala Kangsar and Universiti Sains Malaysia. Connected to 1 other published record in the VALÉORINE Encyclopedia.
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