malaysian architecture
TRANSCRIPT
ARCHITECTURE IN MALAYSIA
GEOGRAPHICAL Malaysia is situated in central South-East Asia, bordering
Thailand in the north, with Singapore to the south and Indonesia to the south and west. It is composed of Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the north coast of the island of Borneo, 650 to 950km (404 to 600 miles) across the South China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia is an area of forested mountain ranges running north-south, on either side of which are low-lying coastal plains. The coastline extends some 1,900km (1,200 miles). The west coast consists of mangrove swamps and mudflats which separate into bays and inlets. In the west, the plains have been cleared and cultivated, while the unsheltered east coast consists of tranquil beaches backed by dense jungle. The major islands are Langkawi (a group of 99 islands), Penang and Pangkor off the west coast; and Tioman, Redang, Kapas, Perhentian and Rawa off the east coast. In Malaysian Borneo, Sarawak has alluvial and, in places, swampy coastal plains with rivers penetrating the jungle-covered hills and mountains of the interior. Sabah has a narrow coastal plain which gives way to mountains and jungle. Mount Kinabalu, at 4,094m (13,432ft), is the highest peak in Malaysia.
CLIMATE IN MALAYSIA Malaysia is located in the equatorial region, and has a tropical rainforest climate. Located near the
equator, Malaysia's climate is categorised as equatorial, being hot and humid throughout the year. The average rainfall is 250 centimetres (98 in) a year and the average temperature is 27 °C (80.6 °F). The climates of the Peninsula and the East differ, as the climate on the peninsula is directly affected by wind from the mainland, as opposed to the more maritime weather of the East. Malaysia is exposed to the El Niño effect, which reduces rainfall in the dry season. Climate change is likely to have a significant effect on Malaysia, increasing sea levels and rainfall, increasing flooding risks and leading to large droughts.[3]
Malaysia faces two monsoon winds seasons, the Southwest Monsoon from late May to September, and the Northeast Monsoon from October to March. The Northeast Monsoon brings in more rainfall compared to the Southwest Monsoon,[4] originating in China and thenorth Pacific. The southwest monsoon originates from the deserts of Australia. March and October form transitions between the two monsoons.[3]
Local climates are affected by the presence of mountain ranges throughout Malaysia, and climate can be divided into that of the highlands, the lowlands, and coastal regions. The coasts have a sunny climate, with temperatures ranging between 23 and 32 °C (73.4 and 89.6 °F), and rainfall ranging from 10 to 30 centimetres (4 to 12 in) a month. The lowlands have a similar temperature, but follow a more distinctive rainfall pattern and show very high humidity levels. The highlands are cooler and wetter, and display a greater temperature variation. A large amount of cloud cover is present over the highlands, which have humidity levels that do not fall below 75%.[3]
The highest temperature was recorded at Chuping, Perlis on 9 April 1998 at 40.1 °C (104.2 °F). The lowest temperature (Official) was recorded at Cameron Highlands on 1 February 1978 at 7.8 °C (46.0 °F). The unofficial lowest temperature is −4 °C (25 °F) in December recorded in Gunung Kinabalu. The highest rainfall recorded in a day was 608 mm (23.9 in) in Kota Bharu, Kelantan on 6 January 1967. The highest rainfall recorded in a year was 5,687 mm (223.9 in) at Sandakan, Sabah in 2006. Meanwhile, the lowest rainfall recorded in a year was 1,151 mm (45.3 in) at Tawau, Sabah in 1997.[5] The wettest place in Malaysia is Kuching, Sarawak with an average rainfall of 4,128 mm (162.5 in) with 247 days of rain a year. The driest place in Malaysia is in Chuping, Perlis with average rainfall of only 1,746 mm (68.7 in) a year.[5]
RELIGION IN MALAYSIA Malaysia is a multicultural and multiconfessional country. As of the 2010 Population and Housing
Census, 61.3 percent of the population practices Islam; 19.8 percent Buddhism; 9.2 percent Christianity; 6.3 percent Hinduism; and 1.3 percent traditional Chinese religions. The remainder is accounted for by other faiths, including Animism, Folk religion, Sikhism and other belief systems.[1]
Numbers of self-described atheists in Malaysia are few; the state has come under criticism from human rights organisations for its discrimination against atheists.[2]
Islam in Malaysia is represented by the Shafi'i version of Sunni theology and jurisprudence.[3][4] Islam was introduced by traders arriving from Arabia, China and India. It became firmly established in the 15th century. The constitution makes Malaysia a secular country and guarantees freedom of religion, while establishing Islam as the "religion of the Federation" to symbolize its importance to Malaysian society.[3][4] The king is generally seen as the defender of the faith in the country and members of the royal family may lose certain privileges if they leave Islam and convert to another religion.
The large Chinese population in Malaysia practices various faiths: Mahayana Buddhism and the Chinese traditional religion (includingTaoism). Hinduism is practised by the majority of Malaysian Indians. Christianity has established itself in some communities, especially inEast Malaysia. It is not tied to any specific ethnic group. Other religions, such as the Baha'i Faith and Sikhism also have adherents in Malaysia.
Relations between different religious groups are generally quite tolerant. Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali have been declared national holidays alongside Islamic holidays such as Muhammad's birthday etc. Various groups have been set up to try to promote religious understanding among the different groups, with religious harmony seen as a priority by Malaysian politicians.
An Influence Of Colonial Architecture To Building Styles And Motifs In Colonial Cities In Malaysia
The colonists had adopted their architectural styles in building modified to the climate context (warm and humid climate). These colonial buildings in Malaysia also have combinations of the styles from other cultures such as Indian and Chinese due to migrations and from the local Malay traditions. This paper will discuss about the development of architectural styles that have been experienced in Malaysia since the colonial era. These unique architectural styles and motifs have heritage values, many of which are being conserved until today. Apart from that, we will also look into their influences in a smaller scale as well as in a larger scale – as this has formed an identity for Malaysia’s architecture. We have been arguing for some time about the true identity that represents Malaysia’s architecture, and this matter has recently become a main factor to consider when deciding the style of architectural decorations to be integrated into building design. On the contrary, there is also an urgent need to develop new appropriate design linked with the past and present. A synchronized awareness by both the architects and the planners of the historical and cultural perspective of a place and its architectural precedence provides a firmer basis in the pursuit to relate new designs with the local technology and sosio-economic development.
Pre-Colonial PeriodThe development of architectural styles in Malaysia is one of the
greatest storyline of the local architectural history. During the 5th century AD, traders from India and China used the East-West trade route and would stop at Tanjung Dawai as a stopping point. The traders traveling with the ships/junks between China and India used this place as an ideal resting destination while waiting for the monsoons to change. They, at the same time, spread their religion and culture when they settled down for trades. This can be seen during early Hindu-Buddhist civilization in Lembah Bujang, Tanjung Dawai, Kedah. They had left their marks in a form of tomb temples known as candi at Lembah Bujang (Bujang Valley). After centuries, Kedah became a vassal of the Sumatran kingdom of Sri Vijaya. Yeang (1987) had stated that the beginning of the Indian Kingdoms styles can be traced in the early architecture of Sri Vijaya and Majapahit Empires, which is from the 7th to the 14th centuries. Eventually, Malacca was established as an important port (Straits of Malacca), where it became a major trading centre for shipping route between China and India. The traders brought along their cultures and customs, which had influence the existing local’s culture
The most significant influence introduced by the Chinese traders was their art and architecture. The architectural influences of the Chinese architectural led to a style called Straits Eclectic that instigated from the 15th century to mid-20th century. The impact was mostly in urban areas in a form of shop houses and terrace houses. The architecture adapted to the tropical climate has combination influence of Malay and European architecture. In the later 18th Century, Penang Island was established as a trading centre in 1786 by the British East Indian Company and in 1819, Singapore had joined Penang to function as the trading centre. Years later, Kuala Lumpur, Taiping and Ipoh became a Chinese tin mining area around 1860. Since then, the city grew rapidly due to the tin mining industry and later as a capital city of the Alliance States of the British administration. The Chinese architecture style had dominated with small scaled family enterprises operated at shop houses.
Colonial PeriodDue to the constraint of fire, flood, filthy condition and
overcrowding in Malay Peninsular during 1881-1882, the government decided to rebuild the colonial town. Consequently in 1884, Frank Swettenhem, the British resident of Selangor, had introduced Building Regulations and town planning methods was imposed in all the building constructions. In 19th century, the British had adopted architecture style, originated from the British building style, a mixture of the British and Moghul Architectural style (Indian Muslim) in India. This architectural style is commonly used in administrative buildings. According to Gullick (2000), before the Second World War, the British had started to make its impact in Malaya’s architecture. In most British colonial countries, the Public Works Department (PWD) was entrusted to design and construct the public sector buildings such as government offices, court buildings, schools, station buildings, quarters or human resources and plantations.
Post-Colonial PeriodAfter the Second World War, this is the time in which the new nation
took control of its own reign. Yeang (1987) stated that the Malaysian architects, who received their architectural education overseas especially in UK and in Australia were given full responsibilities for the major building projects in the country. However, most of the main architectural firms were still controlled by foreigners and eventually they obtained commissions from the British Trading Houses. The local architects are still mostly influenced by the existing British architecture
Identifications of Architectural StyleAccording to Heritage of Malaysia Trust (1990), the architectural
style of Malaysia has been classified according to the building styles. It consists of influences by the European, Chinese, Malay and Indian sources that were a mixture of various styles modified to the Malaysian environment. These included :-
Indian Kingdoms (7th – 14th Centuries)
Malay Vernacular (pre-15th Century to present)
Straits Eclectic (15th Century to mid-20th Century)
Chinese Baroque (19th Century to early 20th Century)
Chitya Indian Vernacular (15th Century to Mid 20thCentury)
Colonial (17th Century to mid-20th Century)
Modern (1950s – 1980s)
ARCHITECTURAL STYLES IN MALAYSIA
MughalBuildings with Mughal architecture began popping up at the turn of the 20th century in Kuala Lumpur. Majority of the buildings in this style of architecture can be found near Merdeka Square and Chinatown.
Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Kuala Lumpur
Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
National History Museum, Kuala Lumpur
National Textiles Museum, Kuala Lumpur
TudorMany parts of Malaysia were under British rule from
the 1800s up until the 1950s. Many of the older buildings were built under British architectural influence. Tudor style buildings were especially popular because the structure could be modified to acclimatize with Malaysia’s hot and rainy environment.
VictorianAnother popular British architectural majority of schools,
theaters and historical buildings around KL were built in this style. One of the most well preserved examples is the Central Market style you’ll still find is Victorian.
GothicWhile there aren’t terribly many gothic structures in Malaysia, a few of the most well known cathedrals built in the 1800s were
made in this style.
DutchFrom mid-1600s to mid-1800s the Dutch colonized the southern port city of Melaka. This would actually be the longest that
Melaka was colonized by foreign rule. Even today many of the buildings look like they could be straight out of Amsterdam.
PortuguesePrior to the Dutch colonization, Melaka was actually a
Portuguese colony. At that time Melaka was primarily built as a fortress, although today there are only a few remnants known as the A Famosa.
Middleburg Bastion, Melaka
Grecian-SpanishMany buildings in Kuala Lumpur, especially in the Old
Center, draw inspiration from Straits Eclectic and European architecture. Many of them even employ white and red brick patterns with an emphasis on old Grecian-Spanish architecture.
Old Market Square, Kuala Lumpur
Straits Eclectic (Malay)Also known as “Peranakan” or “Baba-Nyonya”
architecture, this uniquely Malaysian style can be exhibited in the traditional shop houses Melaka. Inspired by British, French and Chinese architecture.
IslamicWith Islam being the official religion of Malaysia, you’ll find Islamic architecture often in Kuala Lumpur. Apart
from actual mosques, there are many subtle Islamic geometric patterns and motifs designed into many structure.
Chinese After Malay, a majority of Malaysia’s ethnic group is made of up Chinese. You’ll find all sorts of intricate Chinese-style buildings across the country, as well as many Chinese temples.
The most significant influence introduced by the Chinese traders was their art and architecture. The architectural influences of the Chinese architectural led to a style called Straits Eclectic that instigated from the 15th century to mid-20th century. The impact was mostly in urban areas in a form of shop houses and terrace houses. The architecture adapted to the tropical climate has combination influence of Malay and European architecture.
DravidianThe third main ethnic group in Malaysia is Indian, so
of course it’s fairly common to find Indian-influenced architecture, especially in certain areas of Kuala Lumpur like Little India or Brickfields.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur
FAMOUS STRUCTURES IN MALAYSIA
Guan Di Temple, Chinatown Kuala Lumpur
Founded in 1886, this atmospheric temple is dedicated to Guandi, a historical Chinese general known as the Taoist god of war, but more commonly worshipped as the patron of righteous brotherhoods: he is in fact patron of both police forces and triad gangs. The temple's high ceilings, red walls, tiled eaves and pointy gable ends give it a distinctive look that's great for photos.
Thean Hou Temple
The temple is built on a 1.67-acre piece of land. The original temple was initially at Jalan Sultan but was relocated at the present location in 1987. The temple has four levels. The top level is the main temple hall where all the cultural and religious activities are held regularly. At level one is the souvenir shops and the food court while the 2nd level is the banquet hall where most Chinese wedding dinners are held. And at the 3rd level is the marriage registration and administrative offices.
Kek Lok Si Temple (
The ‘Temple of Supreme Bliss’ is also the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and one of the most recognisable buildings in the country. Built by an immigrant Chinese Buddhist in 1890, Kek Lok Si is a cornerstone of the Malay-Chinese community, who provided the funding for its two-decade-long building (and ongoing additions).
It was inspired by Beow Lean, the chief monk of the Goddess of Mercy Temple
Fort Cornwallis
One of the earliest structures in Pulau Pinang, Fort Cornwallis was erected in 1786, not long after he acquired Pulau Pinang for the East India Company, from the Sultan of Kedah. The site where the fort was built is actually the first place where Light disembarked from his ship in 1768. Fort Cornwallis was originally built of nibong palms, but was replaced in 1804 with a sturdier stone and brick
Fort Cornwallis - named after the Governor-General in Bengal, Charles Cornwallis
Kapitan Keling Mosque, George Town
The largest mosque in the city, the Kapitan Keling Mosque started as single-story brick building in 1801, built primarily for the Indian Muslim community. It has grown to encompass 8 acres and is used by all Muslims on the island. You are free to wander the grounds and gaze up at the Mughal-style domes, whitewashed walls and the Moorish decorations of crescents and stars. You might even try for a picture of the towering minaret, sans the intrusive high-tech speakers, if you aim your camera just right. Remember that this is still a house of worship used five times daily. Cover up bare legs and shoulders, and if you enter the main hall, take off your shoes.
(Malay name: Masjid Kapitan Keling)
Malaysian House.
If you travel through the country, you will see a lot of Malaysian houses and villages. These villages are called "kampongs" inBahasa Malaysia. Notice that they are built with stilts below and they have large windows. This is mainly to keep the building cool and the stilts elevate the building to keep them away from floods. Kampong houses are detached houses and they usually have no fences around them The traditional Malaysian house serves the housing needs of the majority of people living in rural areas of Malaysia. It was evolved by the Malays over the generations, and adapted to their own needs, culture, and environment. Basically a timber house with a post and lintel structure raised on stilts, with wooden, bamboo, or thatched walls and a thatched roof, the house is designed to suit the tropical climate.
The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is among Kuala Lumpur’s earliest Moorish-style buildings. It is set to the east of Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka) and the Royal Selangor Club, across from Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. It was built in 1897 and was named after the reigning sultan of Selangor at the time.The distinguished landmark originally served as the secretariat for the colonial British administration. Designed by AC Norman, the architect responsible for Masjid Jamek (Jamek Mosque), the historically-significant building used to house the superior courts of Malaysia: the Federal Court of Malaysia, the Court of Appeals and the High Court of Malaya, before they moved to Putrajaya.
Sultan Abdul Samad Building in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur TowerArchitect :Kumpulan Senireka Sdn. Bhd.
The Kuala Lumpur Tower (Malay: Menara Kuala Lumpur; Chinese: 吉隆坡塔 ;abbreviated as KL Tower) is a tall tower located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Its construction was completed on 1 March 1995. It is used for communication purposes and features an antenna that reaches 421 metres (1,381 feet) and is the 7th tallest freestanding tower in the world. The roof of the pod is at 335 metres (1,099 feet). The rest of the tower below has a stairwell and an elevator to reach the upper area, which also contains a revolving restaurant, providing diners with a panoramic view of the city.Races are held annually, where participants race up the stairs to the top. The tower also acts as the Islamic falakobservatory to observe the crescent moon which marks the beginning of Muslim month of Ramadhan, Syawal, andZulhijjah, to celebrate fasting month of Ramadhan, Hari Ray Aidilfitri and Aidiladha. The tower is the highest viewpoint in Kuala Lumpur that is open to the public.
Komtar Penang is a 65-storey high rise tower in central Georgetown that is one of the most prominent landmarks in Penang. Its lower floors are retail spaces occupied by local boutiques and lots of stalls specialising in cell phone, camera and laptop repairs, while upstairs are office lots.Penang’s tallest structure is cylindrical in shape and the sixth-tallest building in Malaysia. It is home to the state govenrment’s office and can be found at the confluence of the Jalan Penang and Jalan Magazine. An indispensable part of Penang’s tourism scene, a great reason to visit is for its 58th floor viewing deck which offers views of the island and across the straits to Penang’s mainland.
KOMTAR Penang Architect: Architects Team 3Jurubena Bertiga International Sdn.
Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Twin Towers
Petronas Twin Towers were once the tallest buildings in the world. Now the world’s tallest twin structures, the 88-storey buildings were designed by Cesar Pelli & Associates with both towers joined at the 41st and 42nd floors (175m above street level) by a 58 metre-long, double-decker Sky Bridge.Standing 452 metres tall, the Petronas Twin Towers retained its world-title claim to fame until 2004 when Taipei's 101 was built, measuring 508 metres tall. Today, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (opened in 2010) retains the spot as the world’s tallest building. Located in the KL city centre, the Petronas Twin Towers’ architecture is Islamic-inspired and the buildings primarily house the corporate headquarters of the Petronas Company and other offices.
(Architect César Pelli)
