Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ar. Hj Esa, an Architect and Town Planner had his education and training at the University of Newcastle, Australia in Architecture where he obtained a First Class Honours and the University Gold Medal Award in Bachelor of Architecture in 1973 and Master in Town and Country Planning from the University of Sydney in 1976.
He is the founder and the Executive Chairman/Managing Director of the architectural and planning firm, Akitek Jururancang (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (AJM), which was responsible for several prestigious planning and architectural projects notably Subang Jaya Township, Kuala Lumpur Master Plan, University Malaysia Pahang, the Putrajaya Master Plan, and the Development Master Plan of the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX). Some of the major architectural projects include the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Datai Bay Resort Langkawi, Mid-Valley City and Gardens, Sunway Pyramid, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the Sungai Buloh Hospital and Training College, the University Malaysia Pahang and Pagoh Education Hub. He was also involved in several major projects in China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ar. Hj Esa was the President of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) for 1993-1995 and is still a member of PAM council as well as being a member of the Board of Architects Malaysia. He is currently a Co-Chairman of NAPSEC, National Professional Services Export Council under Matrade, a member of the Advisory Board to Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, a Fellow of the Akademi Sains Malaysia and was an Adjunct Professor at the Malaysia International Islamic University.
Internationally, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ar. Hj Esa was the Chairman of ARCASIA (Architects Regional Council of Asia) for 1995 and 1996. He is an Immediate-Past President of the International Union of Architects (UIA), a member of the APEC Architect Central Council and was the 1st Chairman of the ASEAN Architect Council from 2009 to 2011. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects and member of Royal Institute of British Architects.
He obtained several prestigious awards such as the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2001, the Construction Industry Player of the Year Award by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) in 2002 and the Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM) Excellence Award 2003 for his Outstanding Contribution to the Property and Construction Industry. For his contribution to the advancement of architecture and the country’s development, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ar. Hj Esa was conferred the Honorary Doctor of Architecture by the University of Newcastle NSW, Australia on 20th April 2005.