One of Malaysia's most acclaimed architects and heritage conservation advocates, Professor Dr Jimmy Lim, has a vast portfolio that spans places of worship, educational institutions, and tropical resorts. Known for his award-winning work on The Salinger Residence, a Malay-style house south of Kuala Lumpur that earned him the esteemed Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Lim specializes in tropical architecture. His designs utilize natural materials and multi-layered roofs to enhance natural ventilation. A Penang native, Lim's passion for architecture was sparked by his grandfather, who often took on home renovations and once built a concrete bridge to replace a collapsed wooden one in their village.
Lim earned his architectural degree in Australia before founding his own practice following stints at various firms. His diverse portfolio includes bungalows, schools, high-rises, places of worship, and resorts, such as Menara Prudential office tower in Kuala Lumpur, La Salle Sentul and St. John's Institution schools, Resorts World Awana in Genting Highlands, and several residences like the Schnyder House and TY Chiew House. In 2020, he received the prestigious PAM Gold Medal Award for his lifetime commitment and service to Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (Malaysian Institute of Architects). Additionally, Lim is a founding member of Badan Warisan, a non-governmental organization that promotes heritage conservation in Malaysia. He continues to practice architecture and also lectures.
In Memoriam
The news of Jimmy's passing on 29 September 2026 came as a tremendous shock. Just a week earlier, I had heard that he had been admitted to hospital with a serious, but not life-threatening, illness. None of us expected that we would lose him so suddenly. The thought that a suspected heart attack would take him from us so unexpectedly is still difficult to comprehend.
I first met Jimmy more than thirty years ago through his daughter, Lim Wei-Ling, who has since become one of Malaysia's most respected gallerists. Throughout the years I got to know the family well including his wife Winnie and his son Lim Cho Wei. What began as an introduction grew into a friendship that allowed me to appreciate not just the architect the world knew, but the thoughtful, gentle and deeply principled man behind the profession.
Jimmy had a quiet presence. He never needed to raise his voice or seek the spotlight to command respect. He possessed a rare clarity of thought and an unwavering belief that architecture should serve people, respect nature and reflect the culture of the place in which it stands. Long before sustainability became fashionable, Jimmy was already living and practising those ideals because he genuinely believed they were the right thing to do.
What I admired most was his humility. Despite being one of Malaysia's most celebrated architects, he remained approachable, generous with his time and always willing to share his ideas. Conversations with Jimmy were never just about buildings—they were about history, society, culture and how we could leave the world a little better than we found it.
When The Living History Project had the privilege of recording Jimmy's story, I felt it was more than documenting the career of an accomplished architect. We were preserving the thoughts and values of someone who had helped shape the intellectual and cultural landscape of Malaysia. I am especially grateful that future generations will be able to hear his reflections in his own words.
Jimmy leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, but those who knew him will remember something even greater: his kindness, his wisdom, his integrity and his quiet conviction that good design could improve people's lives.
To Wei-Ling and the entire Lim family, my heartfelt condolences. Thank you for sharing Jimmy with all of us. Malaysia has lost one of its finest architects, and I have lost a friend whom I respected immensely.
Rest in peace, Jimmy. You will be deeply missed, but your ideas, your buildings and your spirit will continue to inspire for generations to come.
— Bobby Wong, founder of TLHP
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