Archive for May 2016

Hello, it's me again. Today, I'm going to share my research on vernacular Malaysian architecture. I have shared the definition of architecture for my previous entry, now I will go deep to Malaysian vernacular architecture.

"Vernacular architecture, the simplest form of addressing human needs, is seemingly forgotten in modern architecture. However, due to recent rise in energy costs, the trend has sensibly swung the a different way."(Edwards.S, 2011) Regionalism and cultural building traditions are embraced, given that these structures have proven to be energy efficient and altogether sustainable.

In addition, the society tasted the construction methods through trial-and-error, which the methods are tailored to the climatic, functional, and sociological needs of their given society and are modified to nearly perfection. Because the person who will be using it is the person constructing the structure tends, the architecture will be perfectly tailored to the needs and wants of that individual’s particular.

Now I am going to introduce few types of vernacular architecture style in Malaysia. The first is traditional Malay architecture. "It employs sophisticated architectural processes ideally suited to tropical conditions such as structures built on stilts, which allow cross-ventilating breeze beneath the dwelling to cool the house whilst mitigating the effects of the occasional flood." (Malaysia Truly Asia, n.d.)

(Image sources: https://www.flickr.com/photos/aakisisv/11749540826)

Examples of Malay traditional architecture
(Image source: http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Malaysia/West/Pulau_Pinang/Penang/photo77252.htm)

In Malaysia, Chinese architecture is of two broad types: Baba-Nyonya and traditional. "The Chinese architecture in Malaysia can be classified into residential such as terrace house, traditional shop house, religious such ask Buddhist temple, and public such as clan or association building." (Ahmad, n.d.)

(Image source: http://www.sagerssoldiers.com/hk076-chinese-terrace-house-with-shoe-shop-by-king-country-retired/)

(Image source: https://500px.com/photo/24901717/shikumen-by-joseph-qiu)

Examples of traditional house
(Image source: http://shanghaistreetstories.com/?p=7058)

"Examples of traditional architecture include Chinese temples found throughout the country such as the Cheng Hoon Teng that dates back to 1646.

Many old houses especially those in Melaka and Penang are of Baba-Nyonya heritage, built with indoor courtyards and beautiful, colourful tiles." (Malaysia Truly Asia, n.d.)

Cheng Hoon Teng
(Image Source: http://www.melakatravel.com/melaka-tourism/melaka-world-heritage-site-cheng-hoon-teng-temple/)

With most of Malaysian Hindus originally from Southern India, local Hindu temples exhibit the colourful architecture of that region. Most of the buildings built in the late nineteenth century. (Malaysia Truly Asia, n.d.)

India Traditional Architecture
(Image Source:http://www.etawau.com/HTML/KualaLumpur/BatuCaves/Murugan.htm)

Two unique architectural highlights of the indigenous peoples of Sabah and Sarawak are water villages and longhouses. Homes to interior riverine tribes, longhouses are traditional community homes. (Malaysia Truly Asia, n.d.)

Sarawak Longhouse
(Image Source: http://www.asmat.eu/scripts/photo_detail.php?Fotka=3918&IDkat=7&Kolik=30)

Water Village Sabah
(Image Source:http://www.pacdome.com/sipadan-water-village--mabul-island--sabah--malaysia)

Today’s sharing will be ended here, I’ll going deep to talk about Malay traditional architecture for the coming post. Stay tuned!

References:

Edwards.S (2011). Vernacular Architecture and 21st Century. [Online] archdialy.com. Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/155224/vernacular-architecture-and-the-21st-century [Accessed 29 May 2016]

Malaysia Truely Asia (no date) Architecture. [Online] Available at: http://www.malaysia.travel/en/my/about-malaysia/culture-n-heritage/architecture?device=mobile [Accessed: 29 May 2016].

Vasani.K (2012). Vernacular Architecture. [Online] Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/khyativasani3/vernacular-architecture-15569131 [Accessed 29 May 2016]

Hello, I’m back! This is the first entry for my blog, I would like to do research on ‘architecture’. So, do you know what ‘architecture’ is? Architecture is the art, the business and the science of building. "Architects create homes, office towers, schools and churches. They are talented people with a flair for design, an awareness of social trends, keen business sense, solid engineering skills and an understanding of the law." (RAIC|IRAC, n.d) As what Carlo Ratti said: "Architecture is redesigning the interface between us and the outside environment." (WIA, 2014)

Architecture does not only involve designing a total up-to-date design; it also keeps the past alive. Old buildings remind us that we are linked with the past and also add variety to city streets. "Public interest in restoring old buildings is as strong as the economic pressure to re-use them. The result? Architects are using modern techniques and ideas to renew historical buildings". (RAIC|IRAC, n.d)

Example for historical building
(Image source: http://www.caradesain.com/10-hal-yang-wajib-diketahui-sebelum-masuk-jurusan-arsitektur/)

"Alain de Botton explains in beautiful detail the important influence architecture has in our lives and that we as human beings are dictated by our surroundings."(Yick.N, 2015) Our moods can be changed drastically by the colour on the walls, our social perspective can be altered by the arrangement of chairs in our living room, and the interior design of our personal spaces can remind us of the values and interests that we embody. "At San Diego State University and the area surrounding it, there consists of many diverse aspects of architectural beauty that touch us and connect with us on these levels of human characteristics." (Yick.N, 2015)

Bedroom with sky blue colour make people feel relax.
(Image source: http://www.rsdinteriors.com/bedroom-colors/elegant-blue-bedroom-colors-with-modern-interior-design-ideas/)

In conclusion, Architecture can make our house a home, and it also creates a comfortable space for us to live.

That’s all for today, hope you enjoy it. Feel free to leave your comment below. Thanks! Stay tuned for the next post. :)

References:

RAIC|IRAC (n.d.) What is Architecture all about? [Online] Available at: https://www.raic.org/raic/becoming-architect# [Accessed 29 May 2016]

RAIC|IRAC (n.d.) Why does Architecture matter? [Online] Available at: https://www.raic.org/raic/becoming-architect# [Accessed 29 May 2016]

WIA (2014) What is Architecture. [Online] Available at: http://www.whatisarchitecture.cc/eda-schaur/ [Accessed 29 May 2016]

Yick.N, (2015) The Importance of Architecture. Available at: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/importance-architecture [Accessed 29 May 2016]

YILIN·15·IAD

POST 2 | MALAYSIAN VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

POST 1 | DEFINITION OF ARCHITECTURE

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