Arkitrek are experts in sustainable design, in particular tropical passive design and the integration of architecture with social infrastructure and the natural environment. We practice participatory design and engage with volunteers, students and communities in many of our projects. A snapshot of our company values can be found on The Arkitrek Manifesto

Our Arkitrek Camp is an experiential learning program in sustainable design. Participants gain skills, knowledge and confidence by building what they design. Camps are open primarily to architecture and engineering students, graduates and professionals.

Note that we only provide architectural services and are not Architects registered under the Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM). Where projects require plans submission to local authorities a registered local Architect must also be engaged. Enquiries about architectural services can be made on our contact page.

The origin of Arkitrek was as a multi-day jungle trek in 2005 to survey sites for eco-tourism development in the Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia. The trekking architects were Ian Hall and Andrew Lo. Our response to that job was: “if anything is to be built in this virgin rainforest it’s existence must first be critically justified and the design should then aim to tread as lightly as possible”. Those values persist in our business today.

In 2008 Arkitrek was formalised and incorporated into two private limited companies: Arkitrek Sdn. Bhd. (831925-W) and Arkitrek Ltd. (06599659) in Malaysia and the UK respectively. Although registered as a private limited company, Arkitrek is operated as a social enterprise meaning that profits are used for social and not for personal gain. Read more about our quest for the ideal social enterprise structure here.

Download the Arkitrek Brochure

The arkitrek logo is a seed from a rare tropical hardwood tree Dipterocarpus exalatus (local name Keruing rapak) photographed in Maliau Basin.