Dr.Jimmy Lim Cheok Siang Obituary, Wei-Ling Gallery Mourns Ar. Professor Who Passed Away.
It is with heavy hearts and profound respect that Wei-Ling Gallery announces the passing of Ar. Professor Dr. Jimmy Lim Cheok Siang (1944–2026). A visionary architect, a dedicated conservationist, and the legendary father of our Gallery Director, Lim Wei-Ling, Jimmy Lim was a titan of Malaysian architecture whose influence extended far beyond the structures he built.
For Wei-Ling Gallery, Jimmy’s legacy is not merely a memory; it is the very ground upon which we stand. Long before this space became a contemporary art gallery, it served as the heart of his professional life. The building we occupy today was once the headquarters of Jimmy Lim Design. Following a devastating fire in 2004 that engulfed his office, Jimmy demonstrated the resilience of a true creator. He rebuilt the charred remains into the gallery space we know today, making a poetic choice to retain remnants of the burnt timber floor, suspending a new floor of glass and wooden panes above it.
This building carries our family history in a tangible, visceral way. Its light, ventilation, and proportions continue to shape how we work and how visitors experience art. Today, artists, collectors, and students occupy the very rooms where Jimmy spent decades honing his craft.
Jimmy’s architectural philosophy was ahead of its time. Long before “sustainability” became a global buzzword, he was championing designs shaped by the Malaysian climate and local traditions. Through his masterful use of timber, deep eaves, and cross-ventilation, he brought tropical design to the world stage—most notably with the Salinger House, which received the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1998.
His commitment to heritage was equally profound. As a co-founder of Badan Warisan Malaysia and a former President of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM), he fought to ensure that the soul of our built environment was preserved for future generations.
At Wei-Ling Gallery, Jimmy Lim’s spirit lives on in every beam, shadow, and breeze of this building. He will be deeply missed, but his imprint on the Malaysian landscape and our lives is eternal.
