History of Architecture II

History of Architecture II
Malaysian Architecture
Gonzales, Mark Daniel (BSA -3B)

Brief Introduction of Malaysia
Name Origin: Came from the word

“Malay” and a latin greek suffix “sia”.
Malay means mountain.
Independence day: 31 August 1957
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Language: Bahasa Malaysia
Majority Religion: Islam
Estimated Population: 30670000 (2015)
History of Malaysian Architecture
 Pre- Colonial Period
The development of architectural styles
in Malaysia is one of the greatest storyline of
the local architectural history.
This can be seen during early Hindu-
Buddhist civilisation 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).
Candi at Lambah Bujang
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 shophouses and terrace houses. The architecture
adapted to the tropical climate
has combinationinfluence of Malay and European
architecture.
 Colonial Period
Due to the constraint of fire, flood, filthy condition and
overcrowding in Malay Peninsular during 1881-1882, the
government decided to rebuild the colonial town.
 In 19th century, the British had adopted architecture

style, originated from the British building style, a
mixture of the British and Mughal Architectural style
(Indian Muslim) in India.
 Post-Colonial Period
After 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.
The local architects are still mostly influenced by the

existing British architecture.
 After Independence
 The architecture style during this period still remained
“international style”. The majority of the architect
firms were significantly influenced by the modern
architecture. This can be seen through the work of Le
Corbusier, Mies Van Der Rone, Walter
Gropius, Smithsons, Lasdun, and the Brutalist
movement during the 50’s and the high-technology
influences during the early 90’s.
 Kuala Lumpur was the earliest place in Malaysia to have
built high rise buildings. The development of high rise
buildings became most intense and had lead to the
conversion of two storey shophouses into high rise
commercial buildings
 .
Styles and Historic Residences
Historic Residences
 Mallaca Town Houses
 Some of the earliest past histories of the town houses
were built in Malacca. “Majlis Perbandaran Melaka
Bandar Bersejarah” (26th June 2005) affirmed the best
examples can be found on Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock,
which were built by wealthy Malacca Straits–born
Chinese merchants.
 The buildings were used for business or residential
purposes. Nowadays, many of the houses are
unoccupied but are maintained as ancestral homes.
 Mid-18th Century and Earlier – The town houses
built during this period were constructed during the
Dutch Colonial period.
 Columns and pilasters may be in Doric and Corinthian.
Windows may be Venetian, Chinese or Malay imitative
with louvered by European influence, or solid shutters,
by Chinese influence. In houses of that era, the upper
floors do not extend beyond the walkway and instead
there is a lower secondary roof.
 The ground floor frontage has a single door
with existing town house window that was designed
before the Dutch period.
 The brickwork of the drainage system has its own
characteristic.
 The material used for the steps at the main entrance
and at the doorway of the passage leading into the air
well, indicated the social status of the owner.
 The hood which existed above the kitchen (similar to
that found in the kitchen in the Stadhuys) was made of
wood.
Historic Residences
 Kuala Lumpur Shop House
 In the 1850s, many Chinese tin miners migrated from
Klang to Kuala Lumpur to operate new and larger tin
mines under Sultan of Selangor. It was then the
beginning of the development of Kuala Lumpur.
 Though the shophouse form was developed in Malacca,
Penang and Singapore by the early 19th
century, shophouses were only introduced in Kuala
Lumpur during 1884. The Kuala
Lumpur shophouses styles are similar to the styles that
are current in Europe.
Varieties of Shophouses
◦ Utilitarian 1880s – 1900s
Large single wooden beams were supported by heavy pillars. The first
floor had a single opening, which was covered with simple wooden
shutters. Then, this was replaced by brick and mortar wall with two or
three windows. The windows then became more comprehensive and
included fanlights. The elevation of these shops was quite low with steep
tiled roofs that often included jack roofs for additional ventilation.
◦ Neo-classical 1900s – 1930s
These shophouses were normally three-storey high. The facades were
more complicated with the integration of elements of Neo-gothic,
Baroque, Palladian or Renaissance designs. Greek and Roman columns,
decorated window frames and festoons were common in the design.
Ornate facades featured parapets, open balustrades and flamboyant
gables.
◦ Art Deco 1930s -1940s
Art Deco facades were distinguished by strong horizontal and vertical
elements and the abstract geometric shapes were mostly used as
decorations. Typical Art Deco features included banding devices,
Shanghai-plaster motifs and concrete flag poles.
Kuala Lumpur Villas
 The grand villas in Malaysia were mainly built during the
late 19th century and beginning of the 20th century by
wealthy Chinese businessman. After staying sometime in
Europe, they were strongly influenced by
the architecture style. After returning to Malaysia, they
asked their designers to design and employed craftsman
from Europe to build mansions, which look like the ones
they saw in Europe.
 They even imitate the Neo-Classical motifs that were
popular in Europe. The Chinese believe in “feng shui”
and it was incorporated into the design of these
buildings and this gave them a specifically
European/Asian eclecticism.
Identifications of Architectural Style
 According to Heritage of Malaysia Trust (1990), the architectural
style of Malaysia has been classified according to the building styles.
 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 20th Century)
 Colonial (17th Century to mid-20th Century)
 Modern (1950s – 1980s)
Malay Vernacular
Straits Eclectic
Straits Eclectic
style developed with
the breaking of the
facade into two or
three openings. -
Mughal Style
Mughal buildings have a

uniform pattern of
structure and
character, including
large bulbous domes,
slender minarets at the
corners, massive halls,
large vaulted gateways
and delicate
ornamentation.
Tudor & Victorian
There are many
buildings built by the
British at the turn of
the 20th century that
exhibit Victorian and
Tudor influence in their
designs. The buildings
are modified to be
suitable to the tropical
environment of
Malaysia, which is hot
and humid with many
days of monsoon rain.
Malay
 Kuala Lumpur today has many iconic modern buildings
which drew inspiration from every day traditional Malay
items. The buildings were constructed in the 1980s and
1990s. An example of this style of architecture is the
LUTH (Pilgrims Fund Board) building which is derived
from the form of a Malay drum,Telekom Tower which
resembles a slanted cut of a bamboo trunk and Maybank
Tower, whose design was inspired by the sheath of
the keris, the traditional Malay dagger.
Malay
Islamic Style
 With Islam being the official religion of Malaysia since
independence, there are many Islamic architecture
featured buildings that resides in Kuala Lumpur.
 Naturally, Islamic motif are evident in religious structure

such as Masjid Wilayah and Masjid Negara. Religious
places will have more Arabic calligraphy drawn on the
columns and other places on the structure.
Late Modernism
 Kuala Lumpur’s central business district
today has shifted around the Kuala
Lumpur City Center (KLCC) where many
new and tall buildings with Late
Modernism and Postmodern
architecture fill the skyline. The 452
meter Petronas Twin Towers, designed
by César Pelli.

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What are the different architectural styles mentioned in the document?

How has Malaysian architecture been influenced over time?

Gonzales, Mark Daniel (BSA -3B)

Name Origin: Came from the word

The architectural influences of the Chinese architectural

The impact was mostly in urban areas in a form

 In 19th century, the British had adopted architecture

The local architects are still mostly influenced by the

Mughal buildings have a

 Naturally, Islamic motif are evident in religious structure

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