Funded by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, this landmark project serves as a beacon for the global promotion of Islamic knowledge and heritage. Conceived as both a museum and a research institution, the building houses His Majesty’s esteemed personal collection—including rare artifacts, manuscripts, and centuries-old Qur’ans—while also positioning itself as a vital academic hub for the study, preservation, and dissemination of Islamic scholarship.
Spanning approximately 15,000 m², the facility features 3,500 m² of curated gallery space, a 300-seat auditorium, and a full-fledged conference centre. At its core lies a scholarly wing, complete with a dedicated library and classrooms, designed to support resident researchers, visiting academics, and institutional partners.
Architecturally, the museum draws inspiration from Brunei’s vernacular forms, reinterpreting traditional elements into a contemporary expression of Islamic design. The result is a striking cultural icon—now firmly established as one of Brunei’s most significant landmarks.
Our firm was appointed by Pei Architects (New York) as the local associate architect, overseeing contract administration and project delivery. We also served as the local representative for Jasper Jacob Associates during the design development and tender phase of the nine galleries until 2015. In September 2016, our role expanded as we assumed full leadership of Package 3 during the construction stage—taking over JJA’s scope as museum consultant and continuing the vision through to completion.