Bumi Putih

Not just a lifetime of experience in architecture and master planning, Iain has a repertoire of stories that can only be gained from a life well-lived; and he’s not done yet!

After managing over 5000 men in the planning and construction of a $1.7 billion, open-cut coal mine with Fluor Australia for Mount Isa Mines, to working with the United Nations in Malaysia, building a gold mine in Ghana and getting shot in the desert landscapes of Iraq, Iain has seen and worked it all. Now with over 55 years of experience in architecture, master planning, project management, engineering and development, Iain is working on projects he loves and that are meaningful for the future.

Born in Scotland but raised in Australia and Malaysia when his father and uncle were in the police force – Col. W.N.Gray was the Director General of the Malaysian Police Force from 1948 to 1952 and his cousin Tan Sri Sir Claude Fenner, was the last British IGP to Malaysia – Dr Iain Gray has always had a fascination with the varying landscapes of the world and the way these affect the lifestyles of man. Starting out as a carpenter in Brisbane, Queensland, Iain studied a Bachelor of Science of Survey, Science in Building Technology, as well as Architectural Planning; after which he continued his studies and was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) with his thesis on tropical, low cost housing.

Although he spends a lot of his time bunny-hopping from country to country, working on his various projects, Iain has considered Kuala Lumpur home since the ‘70s. In love with everything that the country has to offer, Iain has been heavily involved in the creation of Kuala Lumpur as we know it today. For over 20 years, Iain was MD of KGT Technology (formerly known as Burchill & Partners (M). Sdn Bhd), where he project-managed and -planned some of Malaysia’s top resorts and residential communities. Iain prepared the Labuan Master Plan as well as the First Crossing Proposal linking Malaysia to Sumatra. “I’m as Malaysian as a Bumi Putih can be … I even eat Durian on toast,” says Dr Iain Gray.

Currently Dr Iain holds positions on various boards and organisations around the world, including Chief Foreign Architect and Master Planner for the prestigious South China Architectural Design & Research Institute. His main role however is as a member of the Raptor Global Corporation Group of Australia through which he conducts most of his current work, specifically requested by developers around the world due to his extensive experience and expertise. Iain is currently developing projects in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Senegal, Ethiopia and Malaysia, including a US$3.5 billion commercial and residential city in Laos.

“Working with nature” is Iain’s moto. As a resident of the Highland Towers in Taman Hillview in 1993, Iain witnessed the devastating effects of the landslide that took out Block A of the residential towers. After being involved in the rescue effort and awarded a citation by Prime Minister Mahathir, Iain pledged to help Malaysia build more effective and efficient housing that works with the surrounding tropical landscape. From the beginning of his career until now, Iain has seen the development of technology and building materials transform dramatically. Iain believes the future of architecture and planning in Malaysia and the rest of the world, needs to utilize these technologies and the knowledge that it has given us to work with nature instead of manipulating it to suit our desires because “Every man deserves a home,” says this ‘Bumi Putih’.

List of key projects completed in Malaysia:

Damai Beach Resort
Rebak Island Marina Resort
Saujana Impian
Bukit Kemuning
Tanjung Rhu Integrated International Resort
Integrated Resorts at Port Dickson
Marina Centre and Hotel Labuan
The Mines Resort Sierramas Resort Development
A’FAMOSA
Putrajaya, Sutera Harbour
Karam Bunai
Pantai Manis
Bikit Kinding Resort