The main purpose of this paper is to present the thoughts of Hijjas Kasturi on national architectural identity for Malaysia. An interview session with him was held and questions of society and architecture were posed to elicit his unfettered views about the subject matter. Although there are a few writings that have described his buildings within this context of inquiry, none has been able to get up close and personal in relation to his private thoughts on this issue. Hijjas gave a clear insight into transforming the issue of culture, climate and clients into an expression of function and technology that presents a unique direction of design approach to a country that is struggling between modernity and conservatism.