Architecture of Malaysia

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Architecture in Malaysia traditionally consist of malay vernacular architecture. Though modern contemporary architecture is prevalent in urban areas there are style influences from Islamic, colonial architecture, chinese straits etc. [1] New materials, such as glasses and nails, were brought in by Europeans, changing the architecture.[2]

Houses in the region are built for tropical conditions, raised on stilts with high roofs and large windows, allowing air to flow through the house and cool it down.[3] Wood has been the main building material for much of Malaysia's history; it is used for everything from the simple kampung to royal palaces.[1] In Negeri Sembilan traditional houses are entirely free of nails.[3] Besides wood, other common materials such as bamboo and leaves were used.[2] The Istana Kenangan in Kuala Kangsar was built in 1926, and it the only Malay palace with bamboo walls. The Orang Asal of East Malaysia live in longhouses and water villages. Longhouses are elevated and on stilts, and can house 20 to 100 families. Water villages are also built on stilts, with houses connected with planks and most transport by boats.[3]

## Architectural influences

[edit]

Until recent time, wood was the principal material used for all Malaysian traditional buildings. However, numerous stone structures were also discovered particularly the religious complexes from the time of ancient Malay kingdoms. Throughout many decades, the traditional Malaysian architecture has been influenced by Buginese and Javanese from the south, Islamic, Siamese, and Indian from the north, Portuguese, Dutch, British, Acehnese and Minangkabau from the west and southern Chinese from the east.[4]

### Ancient

[edit]

The remains of an ancient temple in Bujang Valley, Kedah, believed to be the earliest civilisation in the region.

The evidence of candi (pantheon) around south Kedah between the mount Jerai and the Muda valley, a sprawling historical complex known as Bujang Valley served as a reminder of Malaysian pre-Islamic art. Within an area of about 350 square kilometres, 87 early historic religious sites have been reported and there are 12 candis located on mountain tops, a feature which suggests may derive from pre-Islamic Malay beliefs regarding the sanctity of high places.[5]

An early reference to Malaysian architecture can be found in several Chinese records. A 7th-century Chinese account tells of Buddhist pilgrims calling at Langkasuka and mentioned the city as being surrounded by a wall on which towers had been built and was approached through double gates.[6] Another 7th-century account of a special Chinese envoy to Red Earth kingdom in West Malaysia, recorded that the capital city had three gates more than a hundred paces apart, which were decorated with paintings of Buddhist themes and female spirits.[7]

### Classical

[edit]

Main article: Malay house

Modern replica of the 15th century Malacca palace.

The first detailed description of Malay architecture was on the great wooden palace of Mansur Shah of Malacca (reigned 1458–1477).[1] The Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals) had references to the construction and the architecture of Malacca's palaces. According to this historical document, the building had a raised seven-bay structures on wooden pillars with a seven-tiered roof in cooper shingles and decorated with gilded spires and Chinese glass mirrors.[8]

The traditional Malay architecture of Masjid Kampung Laut in Kelantan, believed to be the oldest surviving mosque in Malaysia.

The traditional Malay houses are built using simple timber-frame structure. They have pitched roofs, porches in the front, high ceilings, many openings on the walls for ventilation,[9] and are often embellished with elaborate wood carvings. The beauty and quality of Malay wood carvings were meant to serve as visual indicators of the social rank and status of the owners themselves.[10] With the migration of Acehnese, Minangkabau, Javanese, Banjarese and Buginese, regional Malay architectural style with influences from other parts of the archipelago also exists, especially in places where they formed the majority.

The shapes and sizes of houses differ from state to state. Common elements in Peninsular Malaysia include pitched roofs, verandahs, and high ceilings, raised on stilts for ventilation. The woodwork in the house is often intricately carved. The floors are at different levels depending on the function of the room.[2] Mosques have traditionally been based on Javanese architecture.[1]

### Chinese

[edit]

See also: Sino-Portuguese architecture

South-East Asia's Largest Temple- Kek Lok Si in Penang being illuminated in preparation for the Lunar New Year.

Chinese architecture can be divided into two types, traditional and Baba Nyonya. Baba Nyonya households are made of colourful tiles and have large indoor courtyards. Indian architecture came with the Malaysian Indians, reflecting the architecture of southern India where most originated from. Some Sikh architecture was also imported.[3] Malacca, which was a traditional centre of trade, has a large variety of building styles. Large wooden structures such as the Palace of Sultan Mansur Shah exist from early periods. Chinese influence can be seen in brightly decorated temples and terraced shop houses.[1] The largest remaining Portuguese structure in Malacca is the A Famosa fort. Other colonial building include the Dutch Stadthuys,[3] the Dutch Colonial town brick buildings, and buildings built by the British such as the Memorial Hall, which combines Baroque and Islamic architecture.[1]

### Bornean

[edit]

Many indigenous people of Borneo, the Dayak and Kadazandusun, live in buildings known as longhouses. Commonly, the longhouses are built raised off the ground on stilts similar to the Malay houses but are divided into a more or less public area along one side and a row of private living quarters lined along the other side. The entire architecture is designed and built as a standing tree with branches to the right and left with the front part facing the sunrise while the back faces the sunset. The longhouse building acts as the normal accommodation and a house of worship for religious activities.[citation needed]

In some parts of Sabah and Labuan, a substantial number of indigenous people like the Bajau and Bruneian Malay still remain to live in water villages. These water villages are also built on stilts, with houses connected with planks and most transport by traditional boats. The floating of rubbish and sewage on the water is still a persisting issue in many of these villages despite substantial measures and initiatives taken by various government and non-government agencies.[citation needed]

* A Bajau water village near Omadal Island, Sabah.

* A modern Iban longhouse in Kapit Division, Sarawak.

* A traditional house being built in Sabah.

### Colonial

[edit]

The Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, adopts a mixture of eastern and western designs. This current facade dates to 1910.

Most of Malaysia's colonial buildings were built toward the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. These buildings have Mughal, Tudor Revival, Gothic Revival or Straits Eclectic style of architecture. Most of the styling has been modified to cater to the use of local resources and acclimatised to the local Malaysian climate, which is hot and humid all year round. Buildings with Mughal, Tudor Revival and Gothic Revival style of architecture were built by the colonial power, the British while the Chinese influenced Straits eclectic styles are common in many urban centres around Malaysia where Chinese settlers lived.[citation needed]

Malacca, which was a traditional centre of trade in the region, has a large variety of building styles, ranging from Islamic and Chinese styles to those brought by European colonists (Portuguese, Dutch, British). Along with Malacca, Penang is also considered one of the architectural gems of Malaysia. With its colonial-style government buildings, churches, squares, fortifications, and multicultural heritage, both Malacca and George Town demonstrate a unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.[citation needed]

### Modern

[edit]

The modern architecture of KLIA was inspired by the traditional Malay architecture.

Several design elements of traditional Malaysian architecture are adapted to modern structures to reflect the Malaysian identity. Wood, an important element in traditional Malay buildings, is also reinterpreted and readapted in the modern landscape in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Putrajaya. Some of these buildings also incorporated Islamic geometric motifs and designs, such as square patterns or a dome. With the help of modern technology, Malaysian firms are developing skyscraper designs that are specifically for Malaysia's tropical climates.[citation needed]

The stilt elevated undulating roof structure of the KLIA is supposed to imitate the traditional Malay-styled raised village houses. In Putrajaya, the Prime Minister's office is lined with wood panels to achieve the design goal. The underside of the KLIA's domed roof structure is similarly "clad in narrow strips of wood" which the architect suggests, "alludes to vernacular Malaysian timber structures, reinterpreting traditional building methods and strengthening the sense of local identity".[citation needed]

In modern times, the government has promoted different projects, from the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, to a whole garden city, Putrajaya. Malaysian firms are developing skyscraper designs that are specifically for tropical climates.[1]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g World and Its Peoples: Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Brunei. New York. Marshall Cavendish Corporation. 2007. pp. 1218–1222. ISBN 9780761476429.
2. ^ a b c Assoc. Prof. Dr. A. Ghafar Ahmad. "Malay Vernacular Architecture". Archived from the original on 10 June 2010. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
3. ^ a b c d e "About Malaysia: Culture and heritage". Tourism.gov.my. Archived from the original on 28 February 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
4. ^ "For Sale – CountryHeights". The Art of Living Show. Mar 22, 2011. Archived from the original on 2021-12-14 - via YouTube.
5. ^ O'Reilly 2007, p. 42.
6. ^ Jamil Abu Bakar 2002, p. 59.
7. ^ Mohamad Tajuddin Haji Mohamad Rasdi 2005, p. 19.
8. ^ Mohamad Tajuddin Haji Mohamad Rasdi 2005, p. 24.
9. ^ Ahmad, A. Ghafar. "Malay Vernacular Architecture". Archived from the original on 10 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
10. ^ Noor & Khoo 2003, p. 47.

### Bibliography

[edit]

* Jamil Abu Bakar (2002). A design guide of public parks in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Penerbit UTM. ISBN 978-983-52-0274-2.
* Mohamad Tajuddin Haji Mohamad Rasdi (2005). The architectural heritage of the Malay world: the traditional houses. Skudai, Johor Darul Ta'zim: Penerbit Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. ISBN 978-983-52-0357-2.
* Noor, Farish Ahmad; Khoo, Eddin (2003). Spirit of wood: the art of Malay woodcarving : works by master carvers from Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pattani. Singapore: Periplus Editions. ISBN 978-0-7946-0103-4.
* O'Reilly, Dougald J. W. (2007), Early civilizations of Southeast Asia, Rowman Altamira Press, ISBN 978-0-7591-0278-1

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Colonial architecture of Malaysia

British|

* All Saints' Church
* All Souls' Church
* Atkinson Clock Tower
* Bank of China Building
* Batu Tinagat Lighthouse
* Church of the Assumption
* Church of the Immaculate Conception (Johor)
* Church of the Immaculate Conception (Penang)
* Church of the Risen Christ
* Coliseum Theatre
* Eastern & Oriental Hotel
* Federated Malay States Survey Office
* Foo Tye Sin Mansion
* Fort Alice
* Fort Cornwallis
* Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse
* Fort Hose
* Fort Margherita
* Fort Sylvia
* Hin Bus Depot
* Holy Spirit Cathedral
* Hotel Majestic
* HSBC Penang
* India House
* Istana Besar
* Istana Bukit Serene
* Jesselton Freemason Hall
* Jesselton Hotel
* Jubilee Clock Tower
* Kellie's Castle
* Labuan Chimney
* Labuan Clock Tower
* Malacca Light
* Malay and Islamic World Museum
* Melalap railway station
* National Textile Museum
* OCBC Penang
* One Fathom Bank Lighthouse
* Penang City Hall
* Pulau Pisang Lighthouse
* Penang High Court
* Penang Islamic Department Building
* Penang Masonic Temple
* Penang State Assembly Building
* Round Tower
* Penang Town Hall
* Sabah Tourism Board
* Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kota Kinabalu
* Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sibu
* Sarawak State Museum
* Seri Mutiara
* Seri Teratai
* St. Anne's Church
* St. George's Church
* St. John's Cathedral
* St. Mary's Cathedral
* St. Michael's Church, Penampang
* St. Michael's and All Angels Church, Sandakan
* Standard Chartered Bank Building
* Suffolk House
* Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque
* Sultan Ibrahim Building
* The Astana
* Undan Island Lighthouse
* Wisma Kastam
* Woodville

Dutch|

* Christ Church
* Dutch Fort
* Governor's Museum
* Malaysia Architecture Museum
* Middelburg Bastion
* Proclamation of Independence Memorial
* Stadthuys
* St. John's Fort
* St. Peter's Church

French|

* Church of St. Francis Xavier

German|

* Kinarut Mansion

Japanese|

* Tawau Bell Tower

Portuguese|

* Cape Rachado Lighthouse
* Fortress of Malacca
* St. Paul's Church

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Historical buildings, memorials, monuments and sites in Malaysia

West Malaysia

| Buildings|

| Johor|

* Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple
* Church of the Immaculate Conception
* Dato' Bentara Luar Mosque
* Istana Besar
* Istana Bukit Serene
* Johor Bahru railway station
* Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple
* Pulau Pisang Lighthouse
* Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque
* Sultan Ibrahim Jamek Mosque
* Sultan Ibrahim Building
* Sultanah Aminah Hospital
* Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital

|

Kedah|

* Kedah State Art Gallery
* Zahir Mosque
* Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Gallery
* Sungai Petani clock tower

Kelantan|

* Istana Batu
* Istana Jahar
* Kampung Laut Mosque

Kuala Lumpur|

* Buddhist Maha Vihara
* Coliseum Theatre
* DBKL City Theatre
* Hotel Majestic
* Masjid Jamek
* Kuala Lumpur railway station
* Lee Rubber Building
* National Mosque of Malaysia
* National Textile Museum
* Pasar Seni
* Sin Sze Si Ya Temple
* Sri Kandaswamy Kovil
* Sri Mahamariamman Temple
* Sultan Abdul Samad Building
* St. John's Cathedral
* St. Mary's Cathedral
* Victoria Institution

Malacca|

* Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
* Christ Church
* Church of St. Francis Xavier
* Cape Rachado Lighthouse
* Fortress of Malacca
* Kampung Hulu Mosque
* Kampung Kling Mosque
* Malay and Islamic World Museum
* Malaysia Architecture Museum
* Malaysia Youth Museum
* Middelburg Bastion
* Poh San Teng Temple
* Proclamation of Independence Memorial
* Stadthuys
* St. John's Fort
* St. Paul's Church
* St. Peter's Church
* Straits Chinese Jewellery Museum
* Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple
* Tamil Methodist Church
* Tranquerah Mosque
* Undan Island Lighthouse

Negeri Sembilan|

* Istana Ampang Tinggi
* Istana Seri Menanti
* Seremban railway station

Pahang|

* All Souls' Church
* Sri Marathandavar Bala Dhandayuthapani Alayam
* Sultan Abu Bakar Museum

Penang|

* Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple
* Bank of China Building
* Church of the Risen Christ
* City Hall
* Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
* Church of the Assumption
* Church of the Immaculate Conception
* Dhammikarama Burmese Temple
* Eastern & Oriental Hotel
* Foo Tye Sin Mansion
* Fort Cornwallis
* Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse
* Goddess of Mercy Temple
* Hin Bus Depot
* Holy Spirit Cathedral
* HSBC Building
* India House
* Jade Emperor God Temple
* Jalan Baru Sri Muniswarar Temple
* Jubilee Clock Tower
* Kapitan Keling Mosque
* Kek Lok Si
* Khoo Kongsi
* Lebuh Aceh Mosque
* Mahindarama Buddhist Temple
* Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple
* OCBC Building
* Penang High Court
* Penang Islamic Department Building
* Penang Islamic Museum
* Penang Masonic Temple
* Penang State Assembly Building
* Pinang Peranakan Mansion
* Penang Town Hall
* Seri Mutiara
* Thean Kong Thnuah Temple
* Snake Temple
* Seri Teratai
* Sri Mahamariamman Temple
* St. Anne's Church
* St. George's Church
* Suffolk House
* Wat Buppharam
* Wat Chayamangkalaram
* Woodville

Perak|

* Al-Ghufran Royal Mausoleum
* All Saints' Church
* Church of St. Anthony of Padua
* Dutch Fort
* Ipoh railway station
* Kellie's Castle
* Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan
* Panglima Kinta Mosque
* Perak State Museum
* Sam Poh Tong Temple
* Taiping Hospital
* Ubudiah Mosque

Perlis|

* Alwi Mosque

Selangor|

* Alaeddin Mosque
* Church of Our Lady of Lourdes Klang
* Hatter's Castle
* Istana Bandar
* One Fathom Bank Lighthouse
* Sri Sunderaraja Perumal Temple
* Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple
* Sultan Sulaiman Mosque
* Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery
* Wat Chetawan

Terengganu|

* Abidin Mosque
* Duyong Old Fort
* Ho Ann Kiong Temple
* Istana Maziah
* Rumah Warisan Haji Su
* Tian Hou Gong Temple

Memorials
and monuments|

* Al-Ghufran Royal Mausoleum
* Birch Memorial Clock Tower
* Cenotaph
* Cheras War Cemetery
* Hang Jebat Mausoleum
* Hang Li Poh's Well
* Hang Tuah's Well
* Heroes' Mausoleum
* Kedah Royal Mausoleum
* Kelantan Royal Mausoleum
* Kris Monument
* Kuala Klawang Memorial
* Lord Murugan Statue
* Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum
* Melaka Warrior Monument
* Sultan Abdul Samad Mausoleum
* Tomb of Sultan Mahmud Shah II
* Millennium Monument
* National Monument
* Old Protestant Cemetery
* Pahang Old Royal Mausoleum
* Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum
* Taiping War Cemetery

Site|

* Batu Caves
* Batu Pahat Well
* Biru Seri Kundang Lake
* Bujang Valley
* Bukit Melawati
* Chinatown (Kuala Terengganu)
* Chinese Hill
* Guillemard Bridge
* Fort of Ngah Ibrahim's
* Fort of Ruins
* Fort of Smelly Monitor Lizard
* Independence Square
* Lenggong
* Lukut Fort and Museum
* Markets of Taiping
* Malacca General Hospital
* Morib
* Penang Botanic Gardens
* Princess Hill
* St. Paul's Hill
* Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital
* Victoria Bridge
* Tambun rock art
* Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5

East Malaysia

| Buildings|

| Labuan|

* Labuan Chimney
* Labuan Clock Tower

|

Sabah|

* Agnes Keith House
* Atkinson Clock Tower
* Batu Tinagat Lighthouse
* Jesselton Freemason Hall
* Jesselton Hotel
* Keningau Heritage Museum
* Kinarut Mansion
* Melalap railway station
* Sabah Tourism Board
* Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kota Kinabalu
* Sam Sing Kung Temple
* Sandakan Heritage Museum
* Sandakan Jamek Mosque
* St. Michael's Church, Penampang
* St. Michael's and All Angels Church, Sandakan
* Tawau Bell Tower

Sarawak|

* Chinese History Museum
* Ching San Yen Temple
* Fort Alice
* Fort Hose
* Fort Margherita
* Fort Sylvia
* Hong San Si Temple
* Islamic Heritage Museum
* Kuching Old Courthouse
* Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sibu
* Sarawak State Museum
* Square Tower
* The Astana
* Tua Pek Kong Temple, Kuching
* Tua Pek Kong Temple, Miri
* Tua Pek Kong Temple, Sibu

Memorials
and monuments|

* Bronze Globe of Tanjung Simpang Mengayau
* Brooke Memorial
* Chartered Company Monument
* Cho Huan Lai Memorial
* De Fontaine Memorial
* Double Six Monument
* Gunner Cleary Memorial
* Keningau Oath Stone
* Kuching Heroes' Cemetery
* Kundasang War Memorial
* Labuan War Cemetery
* Last POW Camp Memorial
* Malaysia Monument
* Mat Salleh Memorial
* North Borneo War Monument
* Petagas War Memorial
* Quailey's Hill Memorial
* Rafflesia Monument
* Sandakan Heritage Trail
* Sandakan Japanese Cemetery
* Sandakan Massacre Memorial
* Sandakan Memorial Park
* Sandakan War Monument
* Starcevich Monument
* Tawau Japanese War Memorial
* Tun Datu Mustapha Memorial
* William Pryer Monument

Site|

* Agop Batu Tulug Caves
* Batu Lawi Hill
* Buloh Kasap Bridge
* Batu Lintang camp
* Chinatown, Kuching
* Duchess of Kent Hospital
* Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu
* Lumuyu Petroglyphs
* Madai Cave
* Merdeka Square
* Nunuk Ragang
* Petroleum Museum
* Pogunon Community Museum
* Queen Elizabeth Hospital
* Sandakan camp
* Sarawak General Hospital
* Skull Hill

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Architecture of Asia

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limited recognition|

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