Which architect designed the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur?

César Pelli designed the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

Pelli’s design combines modern high-rise engineering with geometric forms inspired by Islamic patterns. The towers are based on overlapping squares that create an eight-pointed star plan, with circular forms added between the points. Their stainless-steel-clad façades emphasize the repeated geometry.

The twin towers were developed by KLCC Holdings and completed in 1998. They became the world’s tallest buildings by architectural height after surpassing Chicago’s Sears Tower, now called Willis Tower. Their title lasted until Taipei 101 was completed in 2004.

The towers are often confused with the Kuala Lumpur Tower, a separate communications tower nearby. The Petronas buildings are twin office skyscrapers connected by a skybridge and anchored by the Suria KLCC shopping complex. César Pelli, an Argentine-American architect, also designed major buildings in the United States, Europe and Asia.