The quest for a sustainable contemporary architectural approach requires the need to revive vernacular Malay architecture and accessing institutions such as masjids to be evaluated. Researchers posed questions as to whether a building with good thermal performance can be built by readapting the Malay vernacular masjid architecture and passive design strategies into modern masjid designs. This paper aims to investigate the outcome of this approach according to case study findings. The Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin in Putrajaya, Malaysia is selected as a case study. A qualitative investigation was conducted to explore the phenomenon through research, direct observation, and field survey. Empirical findings from evidences provide an understanding on the effectiveness of Malay vernacular concept and application of passive design approach in modern masjid designs. The findings indicate that optimum thermal comfort in the interior space of the case study has mostly been achieved through the application of Malay vernacular concept and passive design strategies.