S. Johar, A. I. Che-Ani, WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT N. M. Tawil, M. Surat, S. N. Kamaruzzaman Preliminary Survey and Defects Analysis of Traditional Timber Mosques in Malaysia S. Johar1, A.I. Che-Ani1, N.M. Tawil1, M. Surat1, S.N. Kamaruzzaman2 1Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, The National University of Malaysia (UKM), 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia 2Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, 50350 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [email protected] Abstract: - This paper presents the results of a preliminary condition survey analysis on defects and deterioration in traditional timber mosques. In conservation practice, it is crucial to understand the type and cause of defects in order to use this information during the improvement stage. In addition, repairs are dependent on the survey findings of building conditions. A total of 52 mosques, particularly those designed with traditional vernacular architecture, have been chosen for this study to identify the common problems and causes of timber defects in buildings. Most defects are found on the roof, as a result of dampness. Overall, the building conditions are good, with most defects relating to the aesthetic effects. Lack of routine maintenance is the primary cause of building defects. Key-Words: - building conservation, building survey, building defects, condition survey, defects in wood, mosque 1 Introduction conservation of natural resources (Ahmad, 1994). Like other countries in the world, Malaysia is Conservation in Malaysia has become a new rich with a legacy of historic buildings, which revolution across the nation (Ali et al., 2009; Che- showcase outstanding craftsmanship and Ani et al., 2009). Awareness in our society is architectural quality. These possess impressive essential, thus it has become a responsibility of each historical features and preserve a heritage of of us to sustain our heritage and maintain the workmanship from the past. Although Malaysia is a continuity of history lest the past fade forever. popular country experiencing rapid development, it still has its cultural properties, such as Sultan Abdul 2 Definition and Importance of Samad’s building, Masjid Jamek in Kuala Lumpur, Conservation Tengkera Mosque in Malacca and various statues. Conservation is a practice which emphasizes the These old buildings, still standing, clearly show the importance of preserving cultural properties. It is unique architectural heritage and inestimable worth generally understood for its efforts to extend the life of historic buildings (Ahmad, 1997; Kamal, 2007). of objects of cultural and natural importance. Along with other historic buildings, traditional Conservation undertakes two initiatives: to care for mosques have long been known for their unique and safeguard the object from destruction, decay style and historic contributions to the nation. Sadly, and unintentional changes (Harun, 2005, Fielden these old mosques are affected by defects and 2000) and to manage change when it is necessary deterioration agents that cause them to degenerate. (Orbasli, 2008). This, in turn, causes them to be neglected. According to Fielden (2000), conservation is a Conservation, the preservation and maintenance practice that requires technical and scientific of heritage buildings to prevent them from being knowledge of how decay occurs and how to destroyed, protect the authenticity of cultural eliminate it. The definition broadens from technical properties and preserve both the aesthetic and aspects to dynamic planning the management historical values of the buildings (Harun, 2005; Ali process to prolong the life of historic buildings. et al., 2009), has long been practiced in some Building conservation is important for its countries and has become important for the contributions in various sectors and communities, as E-ISSN: 2224-3496 13 Issue 1, Volume 9, January 2013 S. Johar, A. I. Che-Ani, WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT N. M. Tawil, M. Surat, S. N. Kamaruzzaman it preserves historical evidence of what has once historic buildings because they provide a sense of been. According to Powell (1994), a heritage identity and continuity in a fast-changing world building contains explicit and implicit historical (Kamal et al., 2008). The uniqueness of a townscape values; while in Orbasli (2008), heritage buildings is of cultural significance; if it vanishes, it can never are an important part of the built environment in be replaced (Idid, 1996). which history and cultural evidence can be found by exploring them. The emphases of conservation are 2.3 Understand Psychological Value of categorised as below: Historic Buildings An historic building creates psychological emotion 2.1 Restore and Appreciate the Uniqueness and nostalgia, particularly for those who have of a Cultural Heritage sentimental value for the old buildings. The Each historic building has its own uniqueness that is situation creates a close relationship between a clearly seen, from an architectural point of view, historic building and human psychology. Ahmad regarding its origin of materials, settings, layout and (1998a) relates two psychological approaches to cultural landscape. A built environment is not conserving historic buildings: sensitivity for complete without the contribution of historic historical and aesthetic value and emotional bonds buildings because they are an intrinsic part of this to the historic buildings. An historic building type of environment (Orbasli, 2008). The provides a symbol for a society its cultural identity architectural style of a building is one medium that and heritage, representative of a particular time. An tells its origin or influences, creating an appreciation understanding of the period when the building was for the historical value within a cultural property. built can be formed. Aspects such as daily life, Cultural properties are of historic significance environment, architecture and building technology because they are strong evidence a past era and can be uncovered through the observation and indicate historical events that once occurred assessment of historic buildings. (Ahmad, 1994). One can feel a nostalgic interest when an Historical buildings are well known for their important event happened which created an beauty in architectural design, impressive emotional psychology (Kamal et al., 2007). When workmanship and construction. Presently, historic seeing a historic building, it triggers memories of buildings are still used in commercial sectors or are historical events that can only happen once. For privately owned. According to Orbasli (2008), in a example, Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur is a time of increasing environmental consciousness, priceless building that was witness to the moment existing buildings are important resources that, with when Malaysia gained its independence. A sufficient care, can continue to be used for a very psychological value is in the effects of sensitivity long time. In fact, the interest, from the architectural and emotional reactions that arise when seeing such standpoint, is to show the evidence of past a piece of memorable evidence. civilisation’s refined art, craftsmanship and construction technology (Kamal et al., 2007; Che- 2.4 Retain History and Beliefs Ani et al., 2008 and Che-Ani et al., 2009). Young Heritage has a broad definition. It can be a pattern (1991), Orbasli (2008) and Ali & Rahmat (2009) of life, cultural settlement or system of traditional extend their view to technical aspects because beliefs. Old buildings and monuments can tell their creativity and technological innovation are own history and events, such as when these important factors in understanding these buildings. structures witnessed to the existence of a civilisation still being researched. Some historic buildings and 2.2 Maintain Image and Identity of a monuments are still used as palaces and places of Historic City worship; some are preserved as a part of a Historic buildings contain the valued identity of a monumental heritage, such as statues and ruins place. According to Idid (1996), identity is a (Harun, 2005). variation of images of places used to distinguish one Young (1991) stated that belief is one of the from another. One component that creates identity factors that caused the development of civilisations. in a town or place is the old existing buildings. Hence, history and beliefs are well related, thereby Acting as documents of the past, historic buildings explaining why conservation of historic evidence is are an important source of historical materials, much important.. Pyramids, the Inca City and monuments, like the paper and parchment used by historians. such as Borobudur, give strong evidence that belief Therefore, it is important to conserve and preserve has been at the centre of the development of civilisations. Buildings, monuments and tombs have E-ISSN: 2224-3496 14 Issue 1, Volume 9, January 2013 S. Johar, A. I. Che-Ani, WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT N. M. Tawil, M. Surat, S. N. Kamaruzzaman been built for the purpose of worship. Tangible evidence shown by the existence of tombs and evidence of the remnants of past civilisations mosques in the region. requires preservation and conservation for history to During the early period of Islam in Malaysia, be passed on to new generations. It is interesting and mosque architecture is simple and does not possess fascinating when ancient buildings prove that the clear features, such as large domes and superior technology