Dewan Sri Pinang conservation management plan WHAT IS A CONSERVATION N 1 Medan Renong 2 Dewan Sri Pinang MANAGEMENT PLAN ? 3 Town Hall 4 City Hall 5 Padang Kota Lama A Conservation Management Plan (CMP) is simply a 6 Fort Cornwallis document which explains why a place is significant and how to sustain that significance in any new use, alteration, repair or management.
The process
The process of preparing a conservation management plan involves bringing people together and organising information. There are eight basic steps in the process, which are:
1. Decide why a plan is needed and how it will be used 2. Identify stakeholders george town north seafront precinct 3. Understand the site 4. Assess significance (including all the different values) 5. Explore issues, including how significance is vulnerable about this plan 6. Set policy aims and objectives 7. Implement it - use the plan to care for the site or develop capital works projects • Dewan Sri Pinang is a civic centre located (e.g. access and learning) adjacent to the Town Hall on the north seafront 8. Monitor and review the plan of the George Town World Heritage Site (GTWHS), Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Completed in (Source: Heritage Lottery Fund, UK) 1972, it is one of the earliest examples of tropical modernist architecture in the state. Designed and built by the Public Works Department (PWD), the centre is testimony to the state’s commitment to civic and cultural activities at a DEWAN SRI PINANG time when the economy was being transformed CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN by modern manufacturing and a burgeoning tourism industry.
• Currently the George Town Conservation and Development Corporation (GTCDC) is undertaking a major upgrade of the George World Heritage Site’s seafronts. This includes conservation of Fort Cornwallis, construction of a new seawall, upgrades to Lebuh Light and ᅡ reinstatement of the Fountain Garden beside ᅡ Significant view of Dewan Sri Pinang from a postcard in 1972 showing a memorial tower designed for the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) workshop the Dewan. It is therefore timely to consider the upgrade of Dewan Sri Pinang.
• Given its historical setting, unique architecture, cultural use and social memories for Penangites, have your say The general aim of the Dewan Sri Pinang CMP is to provide it is appropriate that future works are guided by the Penang State Government, facility managers, funders a conservation management framework. While and users with guidelines for the Dewan Sri Pinang’s not a nationally listed heritage monument, the [email protected] Level 1, No 21-35, future function, retrofitting, system upgrades, new build process adopted here has been informed by the UAB Building, possibilities and landscape features. Jabatan Warisan Negara’s (JWN) Guidelines for +6 04 261 3146 Gat Lebuh China, Preparation of Conservation Management Plans 10300 George Town, for Heritage Buildings. ᅡᅡ Conservation management Pulau Pinang. plans of other heritage buildings Dewan Sri Pinang conservation management plan
historical timeline
1786 George Town was established as an entrepÔt by Francis Light of the British East India Company
1789 James Scott’s residence was constructed
1795 James Scott refurbished his house and named it Ossian Hall
c1808 Lt James Gray house was constructed on the site’s rear portion
c1808 The Dewan Sri Pinang’s site boundary are formed
1869 Koh Seang Tat’s house was constructed on the site of old Ossian
1790 - 1880 Hall pond and named Edinburgh House Establishment 1877 Rajani’s Lodge, Penang Hotel and Essex Lodge first appeared on the Kelly maps
1879 Construction of Town Hall commences
1890s Ranong Ground, a public recreational park was donated by the Khaw family
1900 The road system around the Ranong Ground was reorganised. Rajani’s Lodge is renamed Ranong’s Lodge
1903 City Hall is completed Public Space 1880 -1940 Consolidation as 1931-40 The Chinese Protectorate is housed at Ranong Lodge
1940 Ranong Ground is cleared of buildings. Ossian Hall remained
ᅡ ᅡ 1941-45 Numerous warehouses are built by the Japanese as the medical ᅡ The Khaw family donated a piece of prime real estate on the Esplanade to the people of Penang for public ᅡ Dewan Sri Pinang in November 1971, two months from completion. (Source: The Star Malaysia) department section during their occupation in Penang. Allied recreational purposes circa 1900. Named Ranong Ground, it was located at the site of Dewan Sri Pinang. (Courtesy of bombing partially destroyed several buildings in the vicinity Khoo Salma Nasution) 1941-1945
World War II War World 1958 Penang State Government studies the feasibility of a civic centre in Penang, combining funds dedicated for a Queens Hall, Merdeka Memorial and Henry Gurney Institute
1965 A proposal is put forth to develop an international hostel to be HISTORY built adjacent to the proposed civic centre to create a regional centre of education in science and mathematics
1968 Funding for the civic hall to be named Dewan Sri Pinang was allocated by the Ministry of Finance, the State Government and site evolution the city councils. Design and construction work was undertaken by the Public Works Department
1969 Construction of Dewan Sri Pinang commences, which is to include a 1,200-seat auditorium, exhibition hall and library
1970 Bank Negara Penang branch opened opposite Dewan Sri Pinang
1972 Dewan Sri Pinang officially opened on the 7th of January 1960 - 1990
1972 Dewan Sri Pinang hosted its first international event, the Pacific Asia Travel Associations (PATA) conference Dewan’s establishment Dewan’s 1972 Queen Elizabeth of England visited Dewan Sri Pinang
1977 SPB Yang di-Pertuan Agong visited the Dewan Sri Pinang to observe cultural events being held along Duke Street
1989 Dewan Sri Pinang renovation completed
1992 Front plaza re-landscaped and a perimeter fence added
1994 Penang State Art Gallery moved into Dewan Sri Pinang 1799 1897 1927 1941 1971 2018 1998 State’s first Arts and Culture information centre opened The original site of Dewan Sri By the time the Kelly Maps are By the mid-1920s, many of the During WWII, the site was By the early 1970s, Esplanade For the last 40 years, Dewan
Pinang which consists primarily surveyed, Edinburgh House, British administration quarters utilised by the Japanese for Road was extended and Jalan Sri Pinang and the waterfront Changes 2002 Penang State Library moved out 1990 - 2010 of British administration quarters. Rajani’s Lodge, Town and City have been demolished, medical purposes. Other Tun Syed Barakbah opened. promenade have functioned 2005-08 Dewan Sri Pinang renovation undertakan with new finishes, foyer Hall have been constructed. including Edinburgh House. buildings in the vicinity were These infrastructure works as popular leisure eating and refurbishment and side gardens A number of small gardens partially destroyed by Allied formed part of a precinct cultural spaces. 2010 Penang’s second Chief Minister, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu’s state appeared. bombing. revitalisation plan that included funeral was held at Dewan Sri Pinang the construction of Dewan Sri 2010 Inaugural George Town Festival held at Dewan Sri Pinang Pinang. 2014 Popular local MP, Karpal Singh’s state funeral was held at Dewan Sri Pinang 2010 - 2018 Recent Years Recent 2017 State museum archive temporarily moved into Dewan Sri Pinang
Dewan Sri Pinang conservation management plan
“ Our JKKN (Department for Culture CONSERVATION GOALS & GUIDELINES and Arts) office was located in Dewan Sri Pinang, the main venue for all major cultural performances. Artists from Istana Budaya and international artists conservation goals would gather at the building for various performances. One that I could recall is a 01 Recognition and celebration of Dewan Sri 05 Retention of the site’s role as a genuine public 09 Designing with a view of the wider setting to Boria performance back in 1985, it was a Pinang’s landmark status as a prominent 20th space through inclusive design, affordable highlight its historical and contextual significance. big hit. “ century modern heritage building in Penang. scheme and support for expression of diverse arts and cultural activities. 10 Ensuring that the final product becomes a - Senior performing artist of the National Department Renewal of spirit of place and revival of a catalytic project and sets the benchmark for for Culture and Arts (JKKN) Pulau Pinang , 50s 02 collective memory by reclaiming the building’s 06 Continuity of the physical and social connection conservation of Modernist architecture in status as a premier venue of state significance. with surrounding prominent civic buildings Penang, by continuing to serve the evolving and landscape through improved accessibility, needs of the city without compromising or 03 Embedding conservation principles in to celebrate the north seafront precinct as an diluting the authenticity of heritage attributes. ᅡᅡ Dewan Sri Pinang during an event in 1986, with almost all features intact future building development. Foremost is to integrated civic centre. (Source: The Star Malaysia) safeguard knowledge inherent in the tangible and intangible aspects of the original design 07 Promotion of modern transformations within a intention. rich heritage backdrop to elevate the building’s role as a state icon. “ I remember the first MSSM tournament 04 Management and maintenance for continuous was played at the Dewan Sri Pinang “ The moving out of the state library has left a big impact on use to ensure that the building remains a living 08 Retrofitting to meet modern expectations to in 1972 and it was opened by the Chief the building. This place used to be very active, even at night. site. improve the building’s versatility. Minister of Penang, Dr Lim Chong Eu, We still get people coming in to ask where is the library, and we were just getting the hang of meaning they have not stepped into the building for over 20 using chess clocks. ” years! “
- Majlis Sukan Sekolah-sekolah Malaysia - Mydin, Management staff, 50s (cited in The Star, 1997) conservation guidelines Access and parking Principal connection with adjacent landmarks New main entrances Potential main access point on first floor (link bridge) CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE New vehicle and loading entrance Replace side staircases with reconfigured landscape for “ Dewan is a symbol of unity among the citizens and among compliant access into the building international fellowship with people from other countries. “ P Existing parking relocated P b P Open space plaza with 2-level basement parking
Penang’s second Chief Minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu’s speech at the opening of Dewan Sri Pinang, 7 January 1972. VIP VIP parking and drop-off zone Amenities Existing bus station statement of cultural significance New loading and service bay 1 New service lift • It sits on the historical Ranong Ground, which was various communities in Penang. New passenger lift donated by the prominent Khaw family to the people of Penang for recreational purposes. Its • Contextually, it forms a vast civic recreational area Relocate mechanical rooms and storerooms ongoing use as a premier cultural and civic centre at the centre of George Town, along with sites Relocated mechanical rooms and storerooms retains the legacy of the site which has been such as Fort Cornwallis, Padang Kota, and the City Potential Grand Hall above ground linkage to the building functioning as public space continuously for 100 and Town Hall; it represents the only building free Existing fence to be removed years. of colonial connotations within this ensemble. 2 VIP Landscape • It was completed at a time when Penang’s • While its architecture embodies international Traffic calming zone economy was being transformed through modernist architectural principles its form adopts Avenue trees along building’s sides for climate cooling technology-based manufacturing and tourism local vernacular elements. and is a monument to the state’s modernisation bP Low profile landscaping and cultural development. • It demonstrates some innovative engineering Reconfigure landscape to increase precinct’s connectivity and architectural achievements, including the and potential event space • It continues to provide an irreplaceable venue construction technique, use of materials, patterns for the annual conferment of state awards and large modern auditorium. N Programming ceremonies and various other significant Critical conservation zone Reinstate library, possibly with a waterfront view government and political events. • The original landscape represents a fine example Critical detracting elements: 1 Potential building extension of native tropical landscape, which was curated Existing aviary and garden design 0 50m 2 Potential green roof and energy harvesting space • It was built and usedto provide an inclusive and designed by the Penang Botanical Gardens’ Ornamented fence platform for the freedom of artistic and cultural botanist. expression and as a symbol of harmony for the Dewan Sri Pinang conservation management plan
REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS option 1 : option 2 : option 3 :
No new build Focuses on new spaces and Further extension of the building circulation, notably a larger towards the seafront, including Reprogramming of existing ground floor function space; larger performing arts space and spaces such as reinstating the third floor space for office tenants. library in its original location at Creation of flexible auditorium the south of building; space with experimental theatre and box seating; Enlarge the art gallery (with new northern entry); Extension of the first floor facing the sea for a digital library; Creation of flexible auditorium space with experimental theatre Creation of a semi-outdoor 3rd Floor and box seating; 3rd Floor foodcourt facing the seafront; 3rd Floor
Reinstatement of the former sea- Reconfiguration of the south- facing balcony restaurant; facing second and third floor as performance arts space; New second floor corridors connecting the north and south New second floor corridors of the building; connecting the north and south of the building;
An option for a new foyer with link bridge to the City and Town 2nd Floor 2nd Floor Halls. (2A) 2nd Floor
2A 3A option 3 option 3 1st Floor option 2 1st Floor 1st Floor
COMPONENTS GFA (sqm)
Function space 2,929 COMPONENTS GFA (sqm) COMPONENTS GFA (sqm) 2,696 Art/exhibition space 802 Function space 2,105 Function space 802 Performing/Theatre Art/exhibition space 1085 Art/exhibition space - Auditorium 1130 - Front of house 551 Performing/Theatre Performing/Theatre - Back of house 580 - Auditorium 1130 - Auditorium 1130 - Box seating 370 Ground Floor - Front of house 551 - Front of house 551 Ground Floor 474 Ground Floor - Experimental (670) - Back of house 689 - Back of house theatre - Box seating 370 - Box seating 370 (within auditorium) - Experimental (670) - Experimental (670) Performing arts space 1116 theatre theatre (within auditorium) (within auditorium) Performing arts space 812 Library 543 Library 1376 Library 422 Restaurant/cafe 81 (indoor) 422 (outdoor) Restaurant/cafe 81 (indoor) Restaurant/cafe 81 (indoor) 422 (outdoor) Long term tenants 1448 Dewan Sri Pinang conservation management plan
ARTIST VISUALISATIONS option 1 : option 2 : option 3 :
Reinstatement of the former sea-facing balcony restaurant. Extension of the first floor facing the sea for a digital library. Further extension of the building (3-storeys) towards the seafront, including larger performing arts space and third floor space for office tenants.
View towards the new sea-facing entrance. View towards the new sea-facing entrance beneath first floor extension. Creation of a View towards the new sea-facing entrance beneath the extension. Creation of a semi- semi-outdoor foodcourt on the ground floor. outdoor foodcourt on the ground floor.
The landscaped open space at the new sea-facing entrance will double as a car park. A link bridge connects from a new foyer on the first floor of Dewan Sri Pinang to the City Side view towards the balcony and inner courtyard of the new extension. and Town Halls. Opportunity for creation of event space along Duke Street.