Malay House Research Articles

POTENTIAL APPLICATION OF THE MODULAR SYSTEM IN TRADITIONAL MALAY HOUSE IN MODERN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Modular system allows many advantages in construction process and final production. Some of the lists are cost-effectiveness in terms of time consuming in site, labour, product materials and many more. The quality of modular system also can be monitored wisely as it develop in factory in mass production according to the design. Therefore there are posible to reduce risk in of non-functional components and create standardization of each component and interface. This paper proposes the implementation of modular system integrated with the traditional Malay house components potentianally the non-structural components such as wall, window and staircase. The traditional Malay house system is basically a modular system in terms of measurement, panel dismantle-reassemble method, expandable and moveable as well. The issues of modular using the traditional human measurement will be analysed using observation and site visit and analysis. Details of traditional Malay housing components will be analysed and the suitable components for modular system will be selected. The system that will be generated can be applied to the housing development in Malaysia and meantimes preserving the aesthetic elements of the traditional Malay house. The outcome of this paper will create a conceptual of modular housing system implemented of traditional housing components in building environment.

Assessing the Thermal Performance of Negeri Sembilan Traditional Malay House towards Sustainable Practice

Traditional Malay house has characteristics of the passive thermal design that naturally practices climatic design strategies. Currently, Urban Heat Island (UHI), causing an increase in energy consumption for cooling purposes, especially in the residential sectors. Consequently, modern building construction has a poor passive thermal design. This study aims to assess the thermal performance of Negeri Sembilan traditional Malay house towards sustainable practice in the tropical environment. The main finding shows that house openings allow natural cross-ventilation, while less strategic house orientation towards climate factors and lightweight materials used contributes to the uncomfortable of the interior spaces reaches as much as 35ºC during the peak time of the day. This study highlights ideas and knowledge in improving the construction technology for modern architecture to produce an effective indoor thermal performance in a tropical environment. Keywords: Malay House; Traditional Architecture; Thermal Performance; Tropical; EnvironmenteISSN: 2398-4287 © 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v4i12.1914

Malay Heritage Houses Design via the Principle of “Form Follows Function” by Louis Sullivan

The uniqueness of the Malay heritage house architecture lies in the diversity of carving forms of various motifs. The motif was chosen based on the image of the environment at the time. This paper discusses the selection of carving motifs in Malay houses based on the principle of form follows function introduced by a Western architect Louis Sullivan in the late 19th century. The meaning of form follows function in this study refers to the selection of the shape of a carving motif adjusted according to the function of the space in the Malay heritage house. A preliminary study was conducted on 10 Malay heritage houses in Peninsular Malaysia built in the 1800s. It aimed to get the types of commonly used motifs during the century of the principle was introduced. The selected houses were located in 10 states in Peninsular Malaysia obtained from measured drawings from the Center for the Study of Built Environment in The Malay World (KALAM) in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The selected houses were based on the most widely used carving motifs. For the purpose of this study, three houses were selected from the initial 10 houses to be further analyzed and mapped in terms of shape and placement of carving motifs based on the principle of form follows function. The study focused on the carving motifs in serambi and rumah ibu of the Malay heritage house as these two spaces had the most carving motifs. The mapping of the motifs in the two spaces shows four main motifs of flora, fauna, geometry, and calligraphy. The motifs of each home will be described from the angle of symbolism, layout, and carving style that can describe the principle of form follows function

Decorative Elements of Traditional Malay House: Comparative Study of Rumah Limas Bumbung Perak (RLBP) and Rumah Limas Johor (RLJ)

In traditional Malay architecture, decorative elements are defined as non-structural elements and as “additional member” of the building that contributes to aesthetic and functional aspects of the architecture. Its ornamentation, form and pattern particularly in woodcarving and bamboo weaving reflect the uniqueness of local craftsmanship and the master carvers. There are at least 16 (sixteen) decorative elements of the traditional Malay house that have been identified by previous researcher. Architecturally in Malaysia traditional houses were categorised based on roof design, spatial organization and geographical setting which finally this categorization was named after the states. Each traditional house is in the state of Malaysia signifying particular style and architectural characteristics of that particular state. This article discusses the study of those decorative elements on the traditional Malay houses in the state of Perak known as Rumah Limas Bumbung Perak (RLBP) and traditional house from the state of Johor known as Rumah Limas Johor (RLJ). With the objective is to investigate the type, terms and characteristics of decorative elements site observations were done on selected twenty-five (25) of RLBP houses and another twenty-five (25) of RLJ houses. The analysis on visual data and verbal data were carried out to established architectural terminology and typology based on form and style of every decorative element. The study found that nine (9) decorative elements come to be the major characteristics of RLBP whilst seven (7) for RLJ; some with different name, form and style from other states. These similarity and dissimilarity contribute to the extension of the aesthetical theory and philosophy of the Malay traditional house in Malaysia.

Decorative Elements of Traditional Malay Houses: Case Study of Rumah Limas Bumbung Perak (RLBP)

The existence of decorative elements in traditional Malay houses represents the integration between functionalism and aesthetics of architecture. Its ornamentation, form and pattern particularly in woodcarving and bamboo weaving reflect the uniqueness of local craftsmanship and the master carvers. Defined as non-structural and “additional” member of the building there are at least 15 (fifteen) decorative elements of the traditional Malay house that have been identified by previous researcher. There are Tunjuk Langit, Sisik Naga, Sulur Bayung, Ande-Ande, Pemeleh, Kepala Cicak, Tiang Gantung, Lebah Bergantung, Kekisi, Gerbang, Gerbang Pintu Sesiku Keluang, Pagar Musang, Kepala Pintu and Kepala Tingkap. Architecturally in Malaysia traditional houses were categorised based on roof design, spatial organization and geographical setting which finally this categorization were named after the states. Every traditional house in the state of Malaysia signifying particular style and architectural characteristics of that particular state. This article discusses the study of those decorative elements on the traditional Malay houses in the state of Perak known as Rumah Limas Bumbung Perak (RLBP). With the objective is to investigate the type, terms and characteristics of decorative elements site observations were done on selected thirty (30) RLBP houses located along Sungai Perak. Sungai Perak is the second longest river in peninsula Malaysia recognised as the site of early Malay settlement in Perak. The analysis on visual data and verbal data were carried out to established architectural terminology and typology based on form and style of every decorative element. The study found that nine (9) decorative elements come to be the major characteristics of RLBP; some with different name, form and style from other states. These similarity and dissimilarity contributes to the enrichment of the aesthetical theory and philosophy of the Malay traditional house in Malaysia.

A Review of the Construction Techniques of Rumah Kutai, Perak

Rumah Kutai in Perak is amongst the oldest surviving traditional Malay house and is gradually disappearing from the indigenous cultural landscape of Malaysia. The subject of the research is construction techniques of the traditional Malay houses which is emphasized on the indigenous house of Perak, Rumah Kutai. This research, basically exploring on how Rumah Kutai is being constructed from the beginning until the end. Also, to examine the construction techniques, especially on the jointing system (tanggam) of several components in Rumah Kutai. The research aims to study the construction techniques of traditional Rumah Kutai.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR INTERPRETING IMAGE AND IDENTITY IN ARCHITECTURE

Architecture has a significant role in the image and identity of cultural heritage, as it generates outstanding cultural values for a sustainable culture and its context. Meanwhile, contemporary architecture is the most potent agent to the missing local culture of a place. This is due to architecture trends have been rapidly increasing in worldwide and has transforms the image of cultural context into a global city. This scenario shall cause heritage risk when current redevelopment planning scheme has not provided the guaranteed in sustaining cultural image and identity in the new development of cultural context. To sustain the cultural values, it is important to establish criteria and indicators to guide and recommend preservation and incorporation of vital traditional features into new architecture images. This paper uses a critical literature review of previous studies to identify correlated items of image and identity indicators for the development of a new image and identity assessment framework. These indicators reflect the elements and features of the Traditional Malay House (TMH) which has been accepted as the most substantial image and identity character in the context of Kampong Bharu in Kuala Lumpur. Established under the Malay Reserve Enactment 1913 and the Land Enactment 1987, Kampong Bharu represents a significant heritage context in the city, and its cultural identity should be integrated into its new redevelopment strategy and plan. Content analysis of the literature has ascertained 2 general criteria and 55 indicators that are recommended for interpreting image and identity of the Traditional Malay House (TMH). Keywords: Image and Identity, Criteria and Indicator, Architecture, Cultural Value, and Design Principle

Re-Adaptation of Traditional Malay House Concept as A Design Approach for Vertical Dwellings Malays

Home is a basic need of human life and plays an important role in wellbeing human life. The quality of design should meet the needs and way of life as every human being deserves to enjoy it. Today's housing design failed to respond in meeting the needs of the occupants. The designs are now too much influenced from the west and contrary to the needs of the local design, especially the Malays. The space for the Malay Muslims is the reflection of the fulfilment of its way of life. The occupants are experiencing multiple unfavourable housing issues. This paper highlight the housing issues and conditions on how certain issues of housing affordability affect societal wellbeing. The writing of this study will discuss the issues and problems of residential low and medium cost-of-modern design houses. Forty-five willing respondents were randomly selected to answer questionnaires based on their willingness and the data were analysed using SPSS statistics to interpret these issues. The findings will be the basis for addressing the main issues and to proposed the application of the conceptual Malay heritage design in the design towards the creation of quality interior design dwelling.

고온 지역 풍토건축의 환경 친화적 계획 기법 분석을 통한 현대적 지속가능성 모색 – 터키 동굴주거와 인도네시아 목조주거 사례를 중심으로

Purpose: This research aimed at finding meaningful environmental design properties among passive design of vernacular architecture in hot-climate region from the viewpoint of contemporary architectural design methode. Method: First, to set a new analysis framework over the environmental passive design properties of vernacular architecture, reviews on all detailed evaluation items of green building certification systems of four countries were made and they were structured into a three-tier hierarchical conceptual system. Then, with this framework, it was reviewed that real vernacular architectures of two different hot regions; caves residence at Göreme of Turkey as hot-arid region, Malay house at Kudus of Indonesia as hot-humid region. Result: First, proper use of physical properties of the

The Traditional Malay Houses in the District of Muallim, Perak: A Lost Legacy

This study aims to describe traditional Malay houses that still exist in Muallim district, Perak. The research methodologies used were field observation methods and structured interviews with the owners/residents of the houses. The findings showed that there were 29 traditional Malay houses. Among these, seven are more than 80 years old. Meanwhile, 12 houses were uninhabited, neglected, or abandoned. In terms of physical condition, 17 houses were not preserved. The findings show that the district of Muallim has a legacy of Perak traditional Malay houses. The poor physical condition of the houses, however, may result in the loss of valuable assets whereas those traditional Malay houses have the potential to be turned into a culturebased tourism attraction in Muallim district.

An Overview of the Construction Techniques of Traditional Malay Houses: Rumah Kutai, Perak

Rumah Kutai in Perak is amongst the oldest surviving traditional Malay house and is gradually disappearing from the indigenous cultural landscape of Malaysia. Therefore, it is crucial to preserve such precious Malay heritage especially on the unique construction methods for the next generation references. The subject of the research is construction techniques of the traditional Malay houses which is emphasized on the indigenous house of Perak, Rumah Kutai. This research, basically exploring on how Rumah Kutai is being constructed from the beginning until the end. Also, to examine the construction techniques especially on the jointing system (tanggam) of several components in Rumah Kutai. The research aims to study the construction techniques of traditional Rumah Kutai.

House-lives as ethnography/biography

This essay considers the intersection of biography and ethnography through an anthropology of the house. It focuses on the multiple entanglements between houses, lives lived within them and the social contexts within which houses are shaped. If ‘good ethnography’ is the outcome, at least in part, of long‐term familiarity with the people and places that are its subject, the sense of being in a proper house rests on a comparable feeling of familiarity. Both of these rely on long‐term engagement, and are in this sense inherently biographical. To unpack the entanglements of personhood, kinship, temporality and the state that houses illuminate, I begin with my own engagement with Malay houses over several decades before discussing houses as ‘biographical objects’ and also as persons. I then examine connections and disconnections between houses and biography through a consideration of some less obviously ‘house‐like’ houses. Pursuing the analogy between ethnography and houses further, in the final part of the article I suggest that, if houses provide a productive opening for ethnography, they might also offer a starting point for a particularly anthropological kind of (auto)biography.

The Serambi of Negeri Sembilan Traditional Malay House as a Multifungsional space – Role in Custom (Adat).

Nowadays, Malays residential design has been influenced by modern design that has ignored the wellness factor thus inviting the difficulties and inconvenience to residents. Reinterpretated the concept of space in Malay house must be pursued to enhance the understanding against the important of space function for a lesson and seen their suitability to applied in nowdays design reflected to Malaysian culture and identity. This article will focus on serambi space in Negeri Sembilan traditional Malay house by describing deeply the diversity function of serambi through conducting research on role of serambi space during the execution of Adat Perpatih activities. The methodology used for these qualitative study is analysis of previous studies, deeply observation and narrative studies including the exclusive interview with the customary chiefs and expert scholars of Adat Perpatih and the architecture of Negeri Sembilan traditional Malay house. Several respondents were interviewed and the data obtained were analysed by using thematic analysis. Four themes have been developed which is serambi as a discussion space, ritual space, social space and educated inhabitant manners. Themes discussion will describe the diversity function of serambi in Negeri Sembilan Malay house towards antropologies perspective. Result of the study show the serambi space designed by previous Malay community has demonstrated extensive functionality to cover the needs of inhabitant daily life, customs practiced and filling the Islamic demand.

The Characteristics Of Malay House Spatial Layout Of Pekanbaru In Accordance With Islamic Values

House is not only is a place to get rest and do activities bu also treated as a pride for the Malay community. The values contained in the spatial layout of the house have specific meaning to the owners. This makes the Malay house becomes the symbol of pride to uphold the “tuah” and dignity of the owner. This research is conducted using qualitative approach through management and data management available through several methods such as observation, interview, documentation and group discussion. This is expected to provide understanding of the perception of Islam dealing with the characteristics of the spatial layout of the Malay house of Pekanbaru.

Re-Imagining Sustainable Furniture by Using Ergonomic Applications of the Traditional Malays

This paper aims to discuss on ways to re-imagine various sustainable furniture, by using the ergonomic applications used by the Traditional Malays, in defining their furniture inside internal spaces of Traditional Malay Houses (TMH), which will all be used as literature review for the author’s preliminary study. Furniture, above all, is functional and the ergonomics of sustainable furniture includes its’ user friendly attributes, which encompasses easy accessibility and handling of the furniture. With the increase imports of Western furniture that applies to Western ergonomics, into Eastern territories, a majority of them proves unsuitable for its Eastern users. The scope of this paper will cover literature review of previous studies on Traditional Malay Houses as well as Traditional Malay Furniture. Other than that, this paper will also touch briefly on the ergonomics of Traditional Malay Furniture and its’ applications. Samples that will be used for this preliminary study includes archival evidence reported and collected by the Centre of Built Environment in the Malay World (KALAM) of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), as well as secondary research from previous documentations and studies on ergonomics. Research methodologies that will be used for this study might include a comparative study of Western and Eastern ergonomics used in furniture. Expected findings for this preliminary study may suggest that the lack of an Eastern standard of ergonomics causes the continuous importation of unsuitable furniture into Eastern countries. With the similarities of the anthropometrics of users in the East, the Malay standard of ergonomics can be applied in re-imagining new sustainable furniture that are ergonomically designed to fit its’ Eastern users, while at the same time, help in reducing imports of furniture designed with unsuitable ergonomic standards.

Motifs, Placements and Influences of Woodcarving in Muar Traditional Malay Houses

Almost every country, race or culture has its own traditional heritage including Malaysia and every state in it. Woodcarving is one of the Malaysian traditional heritage that has been passed through generations and should be preserved and maintained. Unfortunately, it is being forgotten due to the rapid urbanization and led to it getting destroyed and extinct. Nevertheless, there are still many traditional houses in some places which own very interesting woodcarvings that must be studied and analyzed before this heritage is permanently vanished such as in Muar, Johor where it owns an interesting history, thus making it among the earliest inhabited district and rich in woodcarvings. This study aimed to identify motifs and placements of the woodcarvings in traditional Malay houses in the districts of Muar including the influence on it. The research methodologies taken were case studies of existing traditional Malay houses in Muar. Site visit of the chosen houses are carried out where the process of taking data, photography and interviewing the resident as well as additional information from Center of Built Environment in the Malay World (KALAM) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) were then triangulated with the analytic interpretation of local woodcarvers. The results showed the existence of significant motif, placement and very strong influence on the woodcarvings found in these Malay traditional houses in Muar.

An Analysis of Privacy in the Space Organisation of Traditional Malay Houses in Peninsular Malaysia

This study contested that privacy was important in the traditional Malay culture and was translated into the traditional Malay houses despite suggestions that privacy was not given emphasis in the traditional Malay society. The study employs analysis of plans of traditional Malay houses from different states in Malaysia to evaluate consideration for privacy in the traditional Malay houses in relation to the conception of privacy and privacy regulation in traditional Malay culture. The results show that privacy was provided in the traditional Malay houses consistent with the conception of privacy which emphasis on community intimacy, the role of women in the house, respect for elders and modesty. Privacy of individual privacy was not emphasised as in the Western cultures. Findings also indicated that different level of privacy was provided at both public and private level in the house through the space organisation, design of openings within each of the traditional Malay houses and regulated by traditional Malay culture which is coterminous with Islam as a way of life as important privacy regulating mechanisms. Differences in terms of level of privacy required influenced the traditional houses in different states.

ARCHITECTURAL INFLUENCES OF ISTANA LAMA SERI MENANTI, NEGERI SEMBILAN

Traditional Malay Royal Palaces in Malaysia are monumental buildings representing the rich architecture, heritage, traditions and expertise of the Malays. The architecture of these palaces differs from one another to demonstrate the identities of the vernacular architecture as timber palaces were representations of Traditional Malay Houses on an exaggerated scale. One example of this is Istana Lama Seri Menanti in Kuala Pilah which is a four-storey timber palace built in the 20th century by Malay carving experts. Another factor to consider is the rich cultural acceptance of the Minangkabau as they have been around in Negeri Sembilan since the 15th Century. Hence, this paper aims to determine the architectural identity of Istana Lama Seri Menanti through the influences on the palace architecture and the factors affecting these influences. The research methods undertaken include case studies, interviews with experts, and document and historical analysis of subjects about palaces. The findings conclude that the key element of ‘atap bergonjong’ cannot be found in Istana Lama Seri Menanti which has the more common modest curve of the roof ridges found in houses of Negeri Sembilan. Furthermore, Chinese influences on the woodcarvings of the palace can be seen on the columns and beams of the exterior of the palace. In conclusion, there are many influences on the architectural identity of Istana Lama Seri Menanti such as Chinese influences and British’s political influences on the design of the palace.

ARCHITECTURAL INFLUENCES OF ISTANA LAMA SERI MENANTI, NEGERI SEMBILAN

Traditional Malay Royal Palaces in Malaysia are monumental buildings representing the rich architecture, heritage, traditions and expertise of the Malays. The architecture of these palaces differs from one another to demonstrate the identities of the vernacular architecture as timber palaces were representations of Traditional Malay Houses on an exaggerated scale. One example of this is Istana Lama Seri Menanti in Kuala Pilah which is a four-storey timber palace built in the 20th century by Malay carving experts. Another factor to consider is the rich cultural acceptance of the Minangkabau as they have been around in Negeri Sembilan since the 15th Century. Hence, this paper aims to determine the architectural identity of Istana Lama Seri Menanti through the influences on the palace architecture and the factors affecting these influences. The research methods undertaken include case studies, interviews with experts, and document and historical analysis of subjects about palaces. The findings conclude that the key element of ‘atap bergonjong’ cannot be found in Istana Lama Seri Menanti which has the more common modest curve of the roof ridges found in houses of Negeri Sembilan. Furthermore, Chinese influences on the woodcarvings of the palace can be seen on the columns and beams of the exterior of the palace. In conclusion, there are many influences on the architectural identity of Istana Lama Seri Menanti such as Chinese influences and British’s political influences on the design of the palace.

Implementation of Traditional Malay Design Values in Contemporary Malay Houses

Traditional houses are the most essential architectural experience that is in harmony with the people's culture, beliefs, environment and lifestyles. The development of design values in contemporary architecture by tracking traditional design values in architecture paves the way for arguments concerning the implementation of authentic Malay traditional house design values in contemporary Malay houses. In addition, it is hypothesized that the Malay traditional houses theoretically provide a constructive innovative framework for the design performance of the contemporary Malay house. In this research, data was compiled through field observation and documentary review. The evidence revealed that Malay traditional houses convey a concrete message of richness encompassing architectural design values and theoretical propositions. The credibility of the results was improved and confirmed by a confluence of evidence via a confirmation process. The findings suggested that there is a rich source of subjective support, lending proof to the premise of the research investigation. The research has highlighted the significance of traditional architectural design values towards innovative design in the architecture of contemporary Malay houses as a workable pattern for use in the design of contemporary architecture.