The Architect Kuala Lumpur Forgot But Its Buildings Remember.

Walk past Masjid Jamek or the old KTM Railway Station and look up. Those onion-shaped domes, arches, and chhatris might make you think of distant lands like Delhi or Jaipur. But they are right here in Kuala Lumpur, designed by a man few people remember today: Arthur Benison Hubback.

A British architect in a tropical city

Photo Credit: AFar

Hubback was born in England in 1871. Trained in architecture and engineering, he had the rare skill to combine beauty with durability. But what set him apart was his style. Indo Saracenic. Mughal domes, Islamic arches, and Moorish details fused with British colonial practicality. The result? Buildings that looked exotic but were perfectly functional for KL’s tropical climate.

Masjid Jamek: A mosque that speaks volumes

Completed in 1909, Masjid Jamek is more than a place of worship. Its elegant domes and minarets were praised as a “splendid addition to Kuala Lumpur” even at the time. The Sultan of Selangor personally acknowledged Hubback’s contribution at the foundation ceremony. Local residents were reportedly amazed, many remarking that it brought a sense of dignity and pride to the city’s Muslim community. Foreign observers called it both grand and culturally authentic. And the mosque wasn’t just about looks. It was built to withstand the city’s heavy rain and humidity, a structure that was both graceful and practical.

Kuala Lumpur Railway Station: The Taj Mahal of trains

Finished in 1910, the railway station impressed travelers from near and far. One visitor compared it to European stations in cleanliness and grandeur. The arches, domes, and chhatris transformed a functional transport hub into a civic monument. Some early observers doubted whether the ambitious towers would stand, whispering that it seemed almost too ambitious for Kuala Lumpur at the time. Yet the building endured, and over a century later, it still commands awe and admiration.

Reactions of the era

Hubback’s work drew admiration from colonial officials, local rulers, and travelers alike. Newspapers of the day described his buildings as masterpieces of elegance and functionality. The Sultan’s public praise reflected respect from local authorities, while British journals celebrated his design ingenuity. Some skepticism existed, mostly about structural audacity, but it never outweighed the general sense of wonder and approval.

Why Hubback mattered

Hubback didn’t just build buildings; he shaped the identity of Kuala Lumpur. His work anchored the city visually and culturally, blending colonial authority with local aesthetics. Future mosques and public buildings borrowed from his Indo Saracenic vocabulary. His creations were functional, enduring, and beautiful. Yet despite his impact, Hubback remains a largely unsung hero outside architecture circles.

The legacy today

Walking past his buildings is like stepping into a century-old vision. You can see Hubback’s hand in the skyline, his taste in domes, arches, and decorative flourishes. These are not just historic landmarks; they are living monuments that continue to captivate and inspire.

A city is more than its buildings. It is the people who look up in awe, the imaginations it sparks, the pride it fosters. Hubback gave Kuala Lumpur a little magic, a lens through which generations can see history, culture, and ambition collide. And perhaps the deeper lesson is this: the spaces we inhabit are more than functional, more than beautiful.

They are stories, whispered through stone and timber, inviting us to look up, to pause, and to wonder.