TRADITIONAL MALAYSIAN BUILT roRMS: A STUDY or THE ORIGINS, MAIN BUILDING TYPES, DEVELOPMBHT or BUILDING roRMS, DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND THE APPLICATION or TRADITIONAL CONCEPTS IN MODERN BUILDINGS Esmawee Haji Endut A thesis submitted to fulfil the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Department of Architecture University of Sheffield November 1993 I TRADITIONAL MALAYSIAN BUILT FORMS: A STUDY OF THE ORIGINS, MAIN BUILDING TYPES, DEVELOPMENT OF BUILDING FORMS, DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND THE APPLICATION OF TRADITIONAL CONCEPTS IN MODERN BUILDINGS SUMMARY The architectural heritage of Malaysia consists of Malay, Chinese and colonial architecture. These three major components of traditional Malaysian architecturel have evolved in sequence and have overlapped from the beginning of the fifteenth century. These building traditions ceased with the emergence of a new architectural movement which was brought into the country in the twentieth century after the nation's independence. This new phase was the development of modern architecture and during this period, many buildings in Malaysian cities were built in the International Style, which was popular in many western countries. The continual process of adopting western styles and images has resulted in buildings which disregard the environmental and climatic factors of Malaysia and this has led to the problem of identity in the development of Malaysian architecture. It was in view of this problem that this research was initiated, coupled with an interest to investigate the underlying principles of traditional built 1 For the purpose of this study, 'traditional architecture' or 'traditional built forms' refer to the early building traditions in Malaysia before independence which includes the Chinese and colonial buildings. II forms and an urge to find some answers to the identity problem. This study is aimed at producing a comprehensive and systematic documentation of traditional built forms and special emphasis has been given to the study of the design principles of each component of traditional architecture in order to recognize their significance and to explore the possibility of adopting them in modern buildings. Chapter One gives an overview of the main historical events prior to Malaysian independence which had a significant effect on the present form of built environment. The main body of the thesis (Chapter Two, Three and Four) records the history and development of traditional Malaysian architecture, with a substantial part of each chapter devoted to the study of design principles. Chapter Five deals with the development of modern architecture, the identity crisis and an analysis on contemporary built forms. The final chapter (Chapter Six) outlines the importance of traditional design principles and presents some alternative solutions to problems in contemporary designs. III ACICNOWLZDGEMEN'rS I would like to extend my gratitude to all those who have contributed to the completion of this work. In particular, I owe special thanks to my supervisor Mr. Peter G. Fauset of the University of Sheffield for his supervision, for his time in reading the thesis, for his invaluable comments, encouragement and enthusiasm during the whole period of my study. I also would like to thank the staff in the Architecture Department· and in the University libraries of the University of Sheffield for their assistance in obtaining invaluable material for the research. I am thankful to fellow research students in the University of Sheffield who have given me information on various related subjects. I am also indebted to Mr. Azami Ismail of DBS Architects who has assisted me in obtaining technical information from Design Building Services of Sheffield City Council. In addition, I would like to acknowledge my family for their support and enduring patience during the whole process of research. Finally, I would like to thank my sponsors, the Public Services Department and Institut Teknologi Mara, especially to the Director of ITM, Y. Bhg. Dato' Dr. Haji Mohd Mansor Haji Salleh, who was responsible for awarding the research scolarship. IV TABLE 01' CON'l'BN'.rS Page i. SUMMARY II ii. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IV iii. TABLE OF CONTENTS V iv. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS VIII v. INTRODUCTION XVIII General Impression of Malaysian Cities XX ~ - Architectural Issues and Design Problems ~ XXII ~- The Importance of Research and Reasons for Study XXIII Scope of Work and Overall Objectives XXIV Research Methodology and Source of Information XXVII Structure of Thesis XXVIII Chapter One: BACKGROUND or MALAYSIA V 1.1 GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND 1 1.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 1.2.1 The Early Inhabitants and Settlements 4 1.2.2 The Malay-Indian Kingdoms 9 1.2.3 The Arrival of Islam in the Malay Peninsula 17 1.2.4 The Migration of the Chinese and Indians 25 1.2.5 The Coming of the West 37 1.2.6 The Pre-War and Post War Periods 51 1.2.7 The Independence and Formation of Malaysia 60 Chapter Two: INDIGENOUS MALAY ARCRITZCTORZ 2.1 HISTORY AND ORIGINS 64 2.2 THE MAIN BUILDING TYPES 94 2.2.1 Traditional Malay Timber Houses /" 95 v 2.2.2 Traditional Malay Timber Mosques 97' 2.2.3 Traditional Malay Timber Palaces 102 2.2.4 The 'Surau' 106 2.2.5 The 'Madrasah' 107 2.2.6 The 'Wakaf' 111 2.3 BUILDING FORM AND ITS DEVELOPMENT \/2.3.1 Definition of 'Kampung' 113 ~2.3.2 The Structure of a Malay Kampung 115 ~ 2.3.3 Types of Building Form and Regional Variations 116 ~2.3.4 Building Components and Interior Layout 130 ~ 2.3.5 Materials and Construction System 140 144 ~2.3.6 Building Extension Systems 2.4 DESIGN PRINCIPLES 149 \I 2.4.1 Malay Concepts of Space 150 v 2.4.2 Main Characteristics of Building 152 \~ 2.4.3 Adaptation to Climate 158 v 2 . 4 . 4 Ornamentation and Decorative Elements 161 V )<Chapter Three: MALAYSIAN CHINESE ARCHITECTURE 3.1 HISTORY AND ORIGINS 172 3.2 THE MAIN BUILDING TYPES 190 3.2.1 Shophouses 191 3.2.2 Terrace Houses 196 3.2.3 Mansions 198 3.2.4 Temples 200 3.2.5 'Kongsis' 204 3.3 BUILDING FORM AND ITS DEVELOPMENT 3.3.1 Main Architectural Styles 208 3.3.2 Planning 214 3.3.3 Building Components and Interior Layout 216 3.3.4 Materials and Construction System 221 3.4 DESIGN PRINCIPLES 3.4.1 Chinese Concepts of Space - Feng Shui 231 3.4.2 Main Characteristics of Building 236 3.4.3 Adaptation to Climate 240 3.4.4 Ornamentation and Decorative Elements 241 ~ Chapter Four: MALAYSIAN COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE 4.1 HISTORY AND ORIGINS 247 4.2 THE MAIN BUILDING TYPES 4.2.1 Government Offices 256 4.2.2 Railway Stations 260 4.2.3 Churches 266 4.2.4 Schools 271 4.2.5 Club Houses 273 4.2.6 Mansions and Bungalows 277 4.3 COLONIAL BUILDINGS AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT 4.3.1 Main Architectural Styles 286 4.3.2 Planning 291 4.3.3 Building Components and Interior Layout 297 4.3.4 Materials and Construction System 302 4.4 DESIGN PRINCIPLES 4.4.1 European Concept of Space 303 4.4.2 Main Characteristics of Building 304 4.4.3 Adaptation to Climate 311 4.4.4 Ornamentation and Decorative Elements 312 V Chapter Five: CONTEMPORARY MALAYSIAN ARCHITECTURE 5.1 MALAYSIAN ARCHITECTURE AFTER INDEPENDENCE 317 5.1.1 The First Decade After Independence 318 5.1.2 The Second Decade After Independence 322 5.1.3 The Third Decade And Consecutive Years 325 VI 5.2 MALAYSIAN IDENTITY IN ARCHITECTURE 5.2.1 The Identity Crisis 338 5.2.2 Programmes In Search of A Malaysian Identity In Architecture 5.2.2.1 The 1971 Seminar on Architecture 348 5.2.2.2 The 1981 Seminar Towards The National Identity In Architecture 350 5.2.2.3 The 1983 Aga Khan Award Seminar on Architecture 356 5.2.2.4 The PAM Design Competitions 359 5.3 ANALYSIS OF MALAYSIAN CONTEMPORARY BUILT FORMS 5.3.1 Early Attempts to Incorporate Traditional Elements in Modern Buildings 361 5.3.1 Examples of Poorly Designed Buildings Which Incorporate Traditional Forms 370 5.3.2 Examples of Practical and Effective Re-Use of Traditional Design Principles In New Buildings 375 5.2.4 Alternative Forms and Ideas ~ Chapter Six: CONCLOSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 6.1 THE ESSENCE OF MALAYSIAN TRADITIONAL BUILT FORMS 398 6.2 THE VALIDITY AND LIMITATIONS OF USING TRADITIONAL FORMS AND DESIGN PRINCIPLES 404 ~6.3 CONTEMPORARY DESIGN PROBLEMS AND ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS 6.3.1 The Application of Traditional Design Principles In Contemporary Housing 423 6.3.2 The Application of Traditional Design Principles In Hise-Rise Developments 437 6.3.3 The Problem of Scale in Large Development 444 6.4 THE OUTCOME OF THE IDENTITY CRISIS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS 448 vii. SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 453 viii. GLOSSARY 465 ix. APPENDICES 470 A - The Rulers of Malacca 471 472 B - The Malaccan System of Leadership C - The Remaining Examples of Traditional Malay Palaces in the Malay pen~n~ula 473 D - The Remaining Examples of Trad1t1onal Malay Mosques in the Malay Peninsula 474 475 E - Dynasties of China F - Notable and Historical Chinese Temples and Kongsi Houses in the Malay Peninsula 476 G - Notable and Historical Colonial Buildings in the Malay Peninsula 477 H - Architectural Styles in Britain 480 I - Architectural Styles in Malaysia 481 VII LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 .1: The geographical location of the Malay peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak. Fig. 1.2: The locations of 'Malay-Indian Kingdoms'. Fig. 1.3: The trading routes and the empire of Malacca. Fig. 1.4: The tombstone of Sultan Malik As-Salleh. Fig. 1.5: The first historical evidence of the arrival of Islam in the Malay peninsula.