This paper intends to use a real life project-Taoist Academic Centre (TAC) in Malaysia as a research vehicle to investigate, explore and develop a workable sustainable tropical architecture prototype. Inspired by the original climatic responsive vernacular Malay architecture, this study starts with a detailed analysis of the environmental design strategies embedded in the Malay House. Special attention has been given to the investigation of the well tested adaptive architectural features and suggestions are offered for their contemporary applications. Based on the lessons learnt from the Malay House, the architectural proposal for the new Taoist Academic Centre (TAC) was developed. By adopting an integrated environmental design approach which involved performative analysis through computational studies, the design scheme was tested and modified to achieve the optimum spatial and environmental delight. This paper presents the process of integrating environmental design considerations at the formative stages of the design process and concludes that selective building performance analysis by using relevant prediction tools can help architects design more environmentally responsive buildings