Layering of History in Malaysian Modern Architecture through Analytical Diagramming

Abstract

The paper looks at the Malaysian Modern Architecture buildings of historical significance from the post-independence (post-Merdeka) period of 1950s by using analytical diagrams to examine their historical layers. The 1950s beheld an important transition of architecture history in Malaysia as the newly independent nation sought to formulate an identity through various enterprises, including architecture. The usage of these historical buildings has changed over time. Considering a building as a singular entity and ignoring its past influences diminishes its historical significance and neglects history as a continuous evolutionary pressure upon the building. As architectural history develops over time, it will have layer upon layer of its physical, functional, and contextual aspects affected by factors pertaining to socio-culture, politics, and economy. Visual representation is important to capture changes and to be open in anticipation of new layers that encapsulate the building’s reading at a certain point of time. The idea is to not only capture the momentous spirit of a building, but also multiple monumental and ambiguous changes that keep true to history. Such a visual representation allows an easy reading of the historical value and an open discussion through visual clues and analytical diagramming. In this study, we have selected the Modern building, Angkasapuri, as an archetype for interrogation via analytical diagrams.