SinggahKL 2026 offers public chance to learn and appreciate Kuala Lumpur's architecture

The iconic Saloma Link will be highlighted again in this year's SinggahKL. Photo: Filepic

Most people experience Kuala Lumpur as a blur of motion. In the rush of daily life, it is easy to overlook the beauty woven through the streets in the form of buildings.

Returning with its fifth edition in 2026, SinggahKL – the Malaysian Institute of Architects’ (PAM) signature guided tour – will continue to bridge this gap, peeling back the rich layers of KL and offering a chance for the public to learn more about the city’s architecture.

SinggahKL started in 2019 as a modest, one-day tour of seven buildings but has since steadily grown into a full weekend experience covering up to 20 buildings across the capital.

"What began as an initiative to open doors has evolved into a movement that invites people to rediscover KL – not just as a city to pass through, but as a city to experience, understand and cherish,” says PAM president Adrianta Aziz.

The sleek facade of +n by Ur-Mu is sure to pique the curiosity of participants. Photo: DRTAN LM Architects

He adds that the tour "brings architecture closer to people and celebrates Malaysian architectural heritage alongside contemporary design to highlight how our buildings reflect who we are, where we have come from and where we aspire to go next”.

This year’s edition of the tour upholds that mission by placing architects of the buildings front and centre as storytellers.

They will be leading the tour, alongside building proprietors and partners, giving participants insight into the ideas and inspirations that shaped each space.

"A building’s architecture is about stories. This is not just a tour, it’s made more meaningful because you have the ones who brought the buildings to life telling the stories behind them,” remarks PAM’s Promotion of Profession (POP) committee chairman Rien Tan.

"We want to showcase the best of our architecture and encourage future generations to embrace creativity and innovation in this profession.”

Through the tour, participants can learn more about the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec), the country's largest exhibition venue. Photo: Filepic

A rare opportunity

The lineup of buildings for SinggahKL 2026 displays Malaysia’s architectural range, spanning several categories from iconic landmarks and cultural spaces to educational centres.

Among the featured sites for the tour are PAM Centre, Sama Square, Saloma Link, Hyatt Centric, Ur-Mu The Toffee, The Graph Hotel, Dua Menjalara, The Met Corporate Towers and Arena Sukan Kuala Lumpur (SkyArena Sports Complex).

Several of these buildings are barely accessible to the general public, making the tour a rare chance to explore spaces beyond their facades.

SinggahKL’s convenor Almaz Rahim explains that the selection was focused on places that can offer an interesting view into the inner workings of the buildings.

"We look out for buildings that are normally not open to the public,” she says. "For example, in one of the buildings from our previous tour, we were taken to the mechanical engineering floor where we could see the equipment used to harvest rainwater. It’s eye-opening secrets like these that are open to the public just for the weekend.”

Adrianta (left) with Yong during the launch of SinggahKL 2026. Photo: PAM

Public response from previous years has mirrored the event’s expansion. After drawing nearly 400 visitors in 2024, SinggahKL welcomed more than 800 participants in 2025, which featured 15 buildings.

This year, more than 1,000 slots will be available – free for all to join.

"We hope this tour will spark curiosity, deeper appreciation and inspire a greater sense of responsibility towards our built environment,” Adrianta says.

"When people understand architecture, they care for their cities more.”

Aligned with Visit Malaysia 2026 and held in collaboration with the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF), the event also positions KL as a city where culture, sustainability and design intersect.

"This initiative will leave a great impact on both the people of the city and visitors experiencing the city for the first time. It will bring architecture closer to the people and introduce KL as a tourism destination,” notes Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry's (Motac) Tourism Policy and International Affairs Division secretary Yong Ee Chin, who attended the launch on behalf of Motac secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot.

As SinggahKL looks ahead to expand in other cities within Malaysia, its core will remain rooted in revealing buildings as something more than just a structure to admire from afar – they are also something to experience, learn and cherish deeply.

SinggahKL will be held on Feb 7 & 8. For more information and registration, visit singgahkl.com.