Entry 10: Conclusion for Malaysian Architecture

Throughout the exploration of Malaysian architecture, it’s been a time for me to really read and goes into different architecture styles that we have in Malaysia. 

Some are common, but some are strange. The common one such as Malay, Chinese and Indian architecture are more usual to us because that’s what environment we’re living in this peaceful country, unlike the strange one such as Moosh-style, Art Deco style are barely seen around our living area, yet it exist.

Old OCBC Building, Ipoh Railway Station, Malacca Christ Church.

From my point of view, there is no specific architecture style we are identified as Malaysian architecture, this is because there is too much modern elements and historical deeds that are so happened to raise a country till now. Due to the foreign country’s influences, Malaysian architects are always inspired from them and it helps in growing Malaysian architecture fields.

Suria KLCC, Starhill Gallery, Arte @ Subang West

Even though nowadays, people are always looking forward to modernise buildings unlike the old times, there are always the iconic historical architecture buildings with different style such as Moorish, Art Deco, Dutch and others. Historical architecture always have a story or history to tell that why it is design in that way or it is a trademark for certain incident and purpose. For an example, the Porta de Santiago in Malacca (mentioned in my Entry 4), it is built during the occupation of Portuguese and it was the oldest surviving European architecture in South East Asia. (City Turtle, 2008)

Porta de Santiago, Malacca

Other than that, modernise architecture are more into the concepts and inspiration to design the buildings. There are inspirations from all sort of sources such as the most commonly inspiration which is nature, and that’s the change and transformation of architecture in Malaysia.

From my opinion, there is no right or wrong, no iconic or unrecognized architecture style are always specifics in a country. There will be people in and out, inspirations and concepts from all over the world, so I think the best way is to preserve the old and historical styles and also improve in modernise architecture.

Here comes to the end of ‘What is Malaysian Architecture?’

I hope this helps you guys to know more about different architecture styles and know more about Malaysia, so do I.

Stay tuned! 

Reference:

City Turtle (2008), Porta de Santiago: The hallmark of Melaka and one of the surviving European remain in Asia. Available at: http://www.cityturtle.com/Porta-de-Santiago.html (Accessed: 20 June 2016). 

Entry 9: Differences between Traditional and Modern in vernacular Malaysian Architecture

After weeks of understanding of traditional and modern architecture in Malaysia, the impact of both design of architecture are completely different and it can be categorized by the appearance of the buildings or the materials that used for the buildings.

From the earliest entry post, you may see how a historical buildings or specific foreign influenced buildings look like and built during the concurred period. The material that they have used are so much different from the modernise buildings nowadays.

As one of the example to differentiate the traditional and modern architecture, 

material that they used for Malay architecture which is the Rumah Melayu are mostly eco-friendly material which is mainly wood. The reason is because the technology for the old times are not as advanced as now. 

Not only the Malay architecture, the Moorish style which in vernacular Malaysian architecture is also another example with traditional design. The material they had used is mostly bricks and with all solid walls. Arches and big windows design can be seen throughout the buildings.

Unlike the modern architecture, open concept are commonly use to design modernise buildings. Therefore, glass and steel structure are widely used and it can almost be seen in every modernise buildings. The concept for modern buildings are not only flat ideas as the old times. As you may see the structure below which is design as the geometrical exterior to get attention from the passer-by.

From my point of view, there are much more elements to differentiate the traditional and modernise architecture besides the concepts and materials that used for both architecture. No matter what, the evolution of the changing and transformation for vernacular Malaysian architecture is the combination of different culture, inspiration and concepts not only based in local and also foreign.

Stay tuned!

Entry 8: Late-Modern Architecture in Malaysia

After all about traditional or leftover architectural styles in Malaysia, here comes the late-modern architectural buildings. Even though Malaysia is not futuristic as countries like Japan, American, United Kingdom, but yeap, we can see our country is growing with great modernise architecture too.

The changing and transformation in architecture field from historical buildings to modernised high rise buildings that we have in our township is an achievement that we need to be glad and proud of as Malaysian.

Here are the some fascinating examples of Malaysia architecture buildings:

PJCC – The POD Pavilion, Petaling Jaya – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

As a new urban centre and a landmark for the area, “the developer of ‘The Pod’ wanted to host his on-site offices and sale’s showroom in an iconic pavilion that would reflect the spirit and the architectural style of the whole development.” (Lomholt and admin, 2011)

The inspiration from this architecture pavilion is from a water droplets in nature, the structure of ‘The Pod’ is creating a dynamic spherical form which shows a modern twist. The form of shapes in this pavilion are creating a series of elliptical sections of variable widths and lengths. (Lomholt and admin, 2011)

The windows which following the spherical structure creates the attractive part where it allows the natural day lighting to show in the office during daytime BUT when it comes to the night time, the design of artificial lighting on the round-layered surface ceiling brings out another mood of the atmosphere.

Starhill Gallery - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The geometric surface which started from the facade towards the whole entire building which creates and reflective effects. This shopping gallery which designed by Sparks Architects becomes one of the most iconic shopping gallery in Kuala Lumpur.

Starhill Gallery Facade

Stephen says, “Unlike many street-facing malls in Kuala Lumpur, our new façade for Starhill Gallery is firmly engaged with the public realm and generates valuable visual connections along this section of Bukit Bintang via the heavy footfall. We have designed a beacon for Starhill Gallery that celebrates its relationship with the city.” (Ho, 2013)

Street Facing Facade

As we may see, the façade design is a wrap out of the existing building with a crystalline glass and stone panels. ‘The new façade resembles the "wet drapery" of the ancient statues of Greece and Rome, and the beautifully crafted gowns on sale inside Starhill Gallery.’ (Ho, 2013)

From my point of view, the design of Starhill gallery stands as a trademark of the Bukit Bintang area is definitely because of the architecture design of the building. The strange and unique exterior catches every people’s attention who walks by the area.

This is never only the architects’ achievements, yet it is a big step of growth for our country in the architecture field. These barely seen architecture buildings in Malaysia are truly leading us to become a better country with all these futuristic and modernise architecture buildings.

Stay tuned for the next post! 

Reference:

Ho, L. (2013) Starhill gallery / spark architects. Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/341299/starhill-gallery-spark-architects (Accessed: 20 June 2016).

Lomholt, I. and admin (2011) POD pavilion, Kuala Lumpur building, Malaysia. Available at: http://www.e-architect.co.uk/malaysia/pod-pavilion-kuala-lumpur (Accessed: 20 June 2016).

Entry 7: Indian Architecture in Malaysia

Here comes the Indian architecture in Malaysia. Although, Indian is the third ethnic community in Malaysia, but their most common architecture which is known as Dravidian architecture style are also be seen on their Hindu temple. 

Dravidian architecture style are define as the architecture in the southern part of the Indian Subcontinent. (Encyclopedia, 2000)The Dravidian style is the typical South Indian style temple that is usually made from stone. The temple shape may be rectangular, square, star-shaped, or octagonal. These temples usually have gopurams, which are large towers over the entrances; a vimana, which is the tower over the sanctum (the Deities); and large pillared halls and corridors. The gopurams were in the past always the tallest structures in town. (Dravidian Temple Architecture, n.d.)

There are common characteristics with the Buddhist temple. (Refer back to the previous post, Chinese Architecture in Malaysia)

Hindu temple are all around Malaysia, if there’s an amount of Indians living in an area, there will be a Hindu temple. As you may know, Hindu temple have the same characteristics with Buddhist temple as they have their own significant God to worship and there are different types of Hindu temple in Malaysia.

The prevalent features that we can see in Hindu temple which is the ornament and sculpture are found in and around the temples, around the temple walls and pillars. Every sculpture have different meanings which originated from the God they worship in the temple. The sculpture that we can see in the temple are all carved with granite stones and constructed with cement and iron rods. (Rampal, 2007)

Example of sculpture from Sri Mahamariammam Temple,
Source from LonelyPlanet.

This lively Hindu temple – the oldest in Malaysia and rumoured to be the richest – was founded in 1873. Mariamman is the South Indian mother goddess, also known as Parvati. Her shrine is at the back of the complex. On the left sits a shrine to the elephant-headed Ganesh, and on the right one to Lord Murugan. During the Thaipusam festival, Lord Murugan is transported to Batu Caves from the temple on a silver chariot.(Planet, 2016)

One of the famous Hindu temple in Malaysia which is Batu Caves located in Gombak, Selangor. It is a cave temple built within a limestone hill. For this temple, it have not much of typical Hindu temple design, it is because it located in a cave and there is only sculpture and statue can be seen in Batu Caves. The largest statue in the region located in Batu Caves which is the Lord Murugan. (River, 2013)

Batu Caves Temple, Gombak.
Source from ThousandWonders

Besides from the Batu Caves temple, there is also other temple with interesting stories and different design of the architecture. But most commonly, the architecture is still known as Dravidian architecture style.

Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple which located at Melaka, is an extraordinary temple which is different from the others. It’s simple architecture and there is only a few ornaments and sculpture that you can see in this temple.This temple is the oldest functioning temple in the region. It is unlike other Hindu temple which is run by people of Tamil Ancestry. It was built in 1781. (River, 2013)

Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple, Melaka.
Source from Touristlink.

As you can see, there is still a difference of all the Hindu temples which they can design it in a simplicity way or they can still follow the traditional design which surrounded with sculptures. There is no specification of how a Hindu temple must look but the temples are still categorized under the Dravidian architecture style.

Stay tuned for next post!

Reference:

Dravidian Temple Architecture (no date) Available at: http://blessingsonthenet.com/indianculture/sections/82/dravidian-temple-architecture (Accessed: 16 June 2016). 

Encyclopedia (2000) Dravidian architecture. Available at: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-Dravidianarchitecture.html (Accessed: 11 June 2016).

Planet, L. (2016) Sri Mahamariamman temple. Available at: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malaysia/kuala-lumpur/sights/religious/sri-mahamariamman-temple (Accessed: 13 June 2016).

Rampal, K.G. (2007) Sacred structures: Artistic renditions of Hindu temples in Malaysia and Singapore. Available at: https://books.google.com.my/books?id=J4FGDtbgHB0C&pg=PA61&lpg=PA61&dq=hindu+temple+sculptures+in+malaysia&source=bl&ots=On7EEgCOWz&sig=AsJC4a2gDDwsaUvZbpsL48igSno&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=hindu%20temple%20sculptures%20in%20malaysia&f=false (Accessed: 11 June 2016.)

River, H. (2013) Poison apple. Top 10 Most Beautiful Hindu Temples in Malaysia. Available at: http://kanggatheren-manogaran.blogspot.my/2012/10/top-10-most-beautiful-hindu-temples-in.html (Accessed: 11 June 2016).

Entry 6: Chinese Architecture in Malaysia

Continued from the last post which is about Dutch architecture style, here comes the Chinese architecture that we have in Malaysia.

Chinese is the second ethnic community in Malaysia. The most eye-catching Chinese architecture in Malaysia that we can identified clearly are likely from Buddha temple. For a Buddha temple, overhang eaves which made up of clay roof tiles, ornamented figures by animal, human, flower, etc. located on roof ridges, big entrance door or an arched door in the middle of the temple, windows with different geometric shapes and sizes and colourful mosaics are commonly seen in a Chinese temple in Malaysia.   (Chinese Architecture, n.d.)

Thean Hou Temple @ Kuala Lumpur

Red and yellow are most commonly seen in a temple and this is because Chinese culture who believes that red colour will bring them good fortune and good luck while yellow colour represent royalty and bring them power. Other than these, there are also gold and orange which can also be seen in a Buddhist temple. Gold which represents wealth and orange represents good health.  (Bortoli and Maroto, 2001)

To differentiate the traditional Buddhist temple and modern temple in Malaysia, there are few standing out features which can be seen generally. One of the features which is the design of overhanging eaves. Both of the temples are still having the common of using overhanging eaves but for the design, traditional will have more ornamented figure on the roof ridges whereas the modern temple has lesser ornamented figure and might only have the clay tiles for overhangs eaves.

The example of traditional temple as Chinese architecture in Malaysia:

The example of modern temple as Chinese architecture in Malaysia:

Other than the overhanging eaves, the colour of both temples are also a contrast.

For traditional temple, the colour that they have used are mostly a combination of red, yellow, green, gold and orange for rooftop, walls, ornamented figure, etc. while the temple which follow the changing of modern era, it have been modernised and the colour of the temple are more clean and using only plain colours.

In summary, the most commonly seen Chinese architecture which is the Buddhist temple have their own characteristics and design to show their identity of different significant of the temple.

Stay tuned for the next post!

Reference:
Professor Dr. A. Ghafar Ahmad. (2008) CHINESE ARCHITECTURE (no date) Available at: http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/chinese__architecture.htm (Accessed: 10 June 2016).

Bortoli, M.D. and Maroto, J. (2001) Colours Across Cultures: Translating Colours in Interactive Marketing Communications. Available at: http://globalpropaganda.com/articles/TranslatingColours.pdf (Accessed: 10 June 2016).

Entry 5: Dutch Style Architecture in Malaysia

From the previous post which stated the Islamic and Malay architecture which based locally in vernacular Malaysian architecture.

Here comes the other interesting foreign style of architecture in Malaysia which is Dutch. One of the famous architecture building in Malacca state had represent this style with obvious components that define as Dutch style in vernacular Malaysian architecture.

Christ Church, Malacca

For your information, Christ Church in Jalan Kota Melaka, Malacca was built by the Dutch, the exterior of this building is easy to recognize because of the brick-red building with a big white cross at the top part of the Christ Church. It was built in 1753 when the Dutch conquered Malacca. The history stated that this was built because the Dutch had no place to worship other than a small chapel which is St. Paul’s Church. After the British took over Malacca, they actually added a weathercock and bell to the Christ Church and converted it from a Protestant church into a Anglican one. (Malacca, n.d.)

Dutch colonial is defined as an architecture style with gambrel roof and curved eaves. Take a look of the image below.

In summary, Malaysia architecture building which built during the historical period were having interesting components and design elements that it influenced by foreign countries' architecture. As my case study above, the design of arches, roof eaves, colour used for the design are barely seen in vernacular Malaysian architecture. Therefore, the historical buildings which leftover from the war and concurred period plays an important role in Malaysian architecture. 

Stay tuned for the next post!

Reference:

Malacca, (n.d.) Christ Church Melaka. [Online] Retrieved from http://www.malacca.ws/attractions/christ-church-malacca.htm?cur=MYR

The Free Dictionary by Fyrex. (n.d.) Gambrel. [Online] Retrieved from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gambrel+roof 

Entry 4: Islamic VS Malay Architecture

What is Malaysian architecture?
What is Malay architecture?
What is Islamic architecture?

To be honest, the first thing comes in to my mind to define Malay architecture is about Rumah Panjang and Rumah Melayu. For Islamic architecture, i'll rather put mosque into this category. The common element to differentiate this two architectural styles is that Malay architecture is more to a edgy kind of structure whereas the Islamic architecture is commonly with a dome design.


As you can see the image below, the mosque represents an Islamic architecture and the Rumah Melayu represents the Malay architecture. Mosque with dome and minaret is a common design element for Islamic architecture, slanted and edgy rooftop with plenty of windows are the elements of Malay architecture design.

 They both have their own characteristics which can easily be differentiate and the features the obtain have their own purposes and meanings too.

Here are a few features which carry symbolic and iconic design elements.

As you can see below, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque as the national mosque in Kuala Lumpur, it is an Islamic architecture that is a typical design for mostly all the mosque that we can usually see.

Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque 

The interior of the mosque is mostly designed with glass where the sunlight can go through it. The columns which located inside the mosque had played an important role to hold the structure up without any wall structure. The pros of these features are they will make the interior broader and spacious

Interior of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque.

Then, the Rumah Melayu which have all the features as the Malay Architecture design style. It has numbers of windows, long and triangular rooftop, and it rises up from the ground.

Rumah Melayu, Malaysia

As a conclusion, Malay architecture which is locally based in vernacular Malaysian architecture whereby the Islamic architecture is a combination of local and foreign elements on the design. 

That's all for today! Stay tuned for the next post!

Reference:

About Religion, 2016. Parts of Mosque. 25th February. Retrieved from http://islam.about.com/od/mosques/tp/architecture_parts.htm

The Review of Mosque Architecture, n.d. Morphological components of the Mosque. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjavtjq7JnNAhUOSI8KHQhsDAoQFgglMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.umsl.edu%2F~naumannj%2FGeography%2520PowerPoint%2520Slides%2Farchitecture%2520page%2FA%2520Review%2520of%2520Mosque%2520Architecture.doc&usg=AFQjCNE4kn5Q9ugYX5do_fZ7fD1pSPGvGA&sig2=I9ZjSdRUxkmRG3aGEZ7ULg&bvm=bv.124088155,d.c2I

J.Y Lim, n.d. The Traditional Malay House. Retrieved from http://unossc1.undp.org/GSSDAcademy/SIE/Docs/Vol4/Malay_house.pdf

Entry 3: Moorish in Vernacular Malaysian Architecture

From the previous post, I have written about the vernacular Malaysian architecture. Here, I will start writing about influences from foreign countries and the buildings which built with foreign elements.

Moorish in vernacular Malaysian architecture. Just for your information, commercial buildings with foreign elements which is Moorish architecture are showed and the existence of these buildings were built decades ago. Some of these buildings are still in used or it had become a tourist area that we have it located in Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur.

So, what is Moorish style? Moorish architecture is a variation of Islamic architecture. There are many motifs, or repeated patterns, in Moorish architecture. different styles of arches, calligraphy, vegetative design, and decorative tiles. (Society, 2012)

Here are the examples of Moorish style in vernacular Malaysian architecture:

Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Kuala Lumpur

A little history about Sultan Abdul Samad Building:

The Moorish-style (defined as Islamic Architecture) of historical building located right in front of Merdeka Square. It was designed by an architect named AC Norman during 1897. It is 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. (Direct, 2016)

Malayan Railway Administration Building, Kuala Lumpur

 Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

National Textiles Museum, Kuala Lumpur

I wonder you realize that the similarity of these buildings are repeated arches and numerous of opened windows design throughout the buildings. Not only that, there are domes design too. Based on these elements which already fulfill with the definition of Moorish styles of architecture.

From my point of view, the Moorish architecture becomes a trademark in Merdeka Square which can easily be recognised. The influence of Moorish styles are from Middle East which is also an Islamic foreign country. The similarity of culture and religion which creates the impact of inspiration by the foreign country and so there is the Moorish style existed in vernacular Malaysian architecture. 

More about Islamic and Malay architecture is coming up on the next post! 
Stay tuned!

Reference:

Direct, A.W. (2016) Sultan Abdul Samad building in Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Lumpur attractions. Available at: http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/attractions/sultan-abdul-samad-building.htm#promo (Accessed: 29 June 2016).

National Geographic Society, n.d. Moorish Architecture. Retrieved from http://nationalgeographic.org/media/moorish-art/ 

Society, N.G. (2012) Moorish architecture. Available at: http://nationalgeographic.org/media/moorish-art/ (Accessed: 29 June 2016).