snøhetta draws from local fishing villages for waterfront masterplan in malaysia

a new civic district for kota kinabalu, malaysia

Jesselton Docklands is a tropical masterplan in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, designed by Snøhetta to revitalize the city’s historic port area on the island of Borneo. The development introduces a new ferry and cruise terminal near Kota Kinabalu International Airport, establishing the district as both a transportation hub and a civic destination. The project will be a gateway to Sabah, enforcing the city’s role within the Southeast Asian archipelago and strengthening its connection to local culture and ecology.

The transformation of the waterfront redefines Kota Kinabalu’s urban edge. Once an industrial zone, the area will now serve as a civic and cultural anchor, merging resilient infrastructure with the island’s environmental identity. Richard Wood, Managing Director Asia of Snøhetta, describes the design as ‘a reconnection of this once industrial part of the city back to its locality, its people and its heritage,’ aligning the project with the city’s natural and cultural richness.

visualizations © Aesthetica

island living by snøhetta

With the Jesselton Docklands masterplan, the team at Snøhetta establishes a framework for tropical urban living that may influence future development across Malaysia. It incorporates layered environmental strategies shaped by collaborative discourse, with careful attention to climate resilience. Located in a region vulnerable to typhoons, the master plan integrates hydrological systems — bioswales, rain gardens, and retention landscapes — that channel stormwater and mitigate flooding.

Spatially, the scheme references the informal character of nearby fishing villages. Organic planning principles guide the layout, improving shading and airflow during hot summer months while fostering a sense of adaptability. Deep facades, articulated with local materials, create a unified architectural language responsive to the tropical context. Ecological Patches support biodiversity, weaving native wetland species into the urban fabric, while seasonal planting offers a living landscape that changes throughout the year.

Jesselton Docklands in Malaysia reimagines Kota Kinabalu’s historic port

jesselton docklands masterplan for the water’s edge

The waterfront setting plays a central role in the design of Jesselton Docklands. The relocated ferry terminal introduces a new cascading landscape that gradually descends to the water, reinforcing the city’s relationship to its maritime edge. An inner marina further integrates aquatic elements, while water channels and stilted homes echo the region’s traditional water villages.

Residential and mixed-use towers form a skyline shaped to mirror Mount Kinabalu, a defining landmark visible from the site. Two Gateway Buildings mark the project’s entrance, serving as a symbolic portal to Kota Kinabalu and the surrounding national parks. Throughout the three plots, view corridors frame shifting perspectives of the sea, blending urban life with the natural setting.

Snøhetta designs the master plan as a civic and cultural anchor

The master plan prioritizes walkability with a central spine stretching over seven hundred meters, connecting the site’s key districts. Designed streetscapes and shaded pathways encourage exploration on foot, while shuttle systems enhance accessibility and reinforce a pedestrian-first approach. Pavilions, bridges, and podiums punctuate the site, combining vegetation and water features with architectural gestures that reflect Kota Kinabalu’s coastal identity.

resilient infrastructure integrates bioswales, rain gardens, and retention landscapes

organic planning draws from local fishing villages to enhance airflow and shading

pedestrian pathways bridges and pavilions connect city and sea

ecological Patches promote biodiversity with native wetland species

project info:

name: Jesselton Docklands

architect: Snøhetta | @snohetta

location: Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

visualizations: © Aesthetica | @aesthetica_studio

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