Do you ever get awestruck when you see a 100-year-old building? The fact that it was built more than a century ago without any modern technology fascinates me. My curiosity grew when I was studying architecture at Taylor’s University (2015-2019). During these four years, I had a memorable experience with Malaysia’s heritage buildings and architecture conservation. It might not seem that big of a deal, but to me, it was something new.
Image credit to Atiqah Ghazali
Revisiting My Past
I spent my childhood all over the world, away from my own cultural heritage. When I was 10, my family and I moved to Saudi Arabia due to my father’s work. Over there, I enrolled in an international school and mixed with schoolmates from all over the world. We even have a community of other Malaysian families. I remember going to gatherings filled with Malaysian food and celebrating the same traditions together. However, I realised that I still lacked knowledge of my own culture. Whenever we visited Malaysia during our holidays, I would have a hard time fitting in with my relatives. That was why in 2015, I made the decision to come back to Malaysia. To continue my studies and revisit my heritage and culture.
If I didn’t study architecture, I wouldn’t have known what conservation is. You’ve heard of UNESCO World Heritage right? They select sites from all over the world, that has an important value and identify them as World Heritage. So that the future generation can value it as well. The word conservation itself means “to protect”. They protect our past, but there’s so much more than just that.
My First Experience With Architecture Conservation
In secondary school, I never liked history class. I couldn’t find a way to enjoy it no matter how hard I studied. But despite that, I’m always fond of heritage buildings. There’s just something mysterious about them that makes me feel… nostalgic. So at Taylor’s University, I had to study in depth about a heritage building during a two-month class called Methods of Documentation and Measured Drawing. In a group of 20 people and one lecturer, we received a heritage building in Malaysia to study, measure and document.
Image credit to Atiqah Ghazali, 2018
For the project, our group had to study the heritage building, Rumah Tok Su. Rumah Tok Su is a 122-year-old Malay traditional house located in Alor Setar, Kedah. The house, originally owned by a nobleman, was used for political gatherings by Malay Nationalists. The one who initiated the conservation project was the former Menteri Besar of Kedah, Tan Sri Sanusi Junid. Thus in 1995, the house was moved from Kampung Permatang Kerat Telunjuk to Alor Setar, Kedah.
1. I Measured A Traditional House!
When we received our assignment, the first task was to gather information about it. Where is it? What is it? Who owns it? Knowing some basic information about the house would ease the research process when we are there. Then we had to divide the groups into teams. 20 people might seem easy-peasy but it was a lot to handle. That was why we had two leaders managing the big group. But the challenging part was to plan out how we can measure an entire house in five days.
Image Credit to Shazleen, my team member
Site visit day arrived and we were off to Alor Setar, Kedah. Upon arrival, we were each paired up with another member and given a designated area of the house to measure. The measurements included every element of the house, from concrete footing to the roof cover. This also included the wood carvings of the house as well. So during that five days in Alor Setar, I was happy to say that the house made me feel so much closer to my heritage.
Image credit to Taylor’s University
2. Putting It All Together
The end of our field trip signalled the beginning of our sleepless nights. With the data from the trip, we divided into three teams – report team, drawing and 3D team, and physical model team. The report team had to write a detailed study of the house from history to architecture. At the same time, the drawing and 3D team was in charge of producing the 2D drawings and 3D model. This was the team I was in! I wasn’t confident of my skills but I learnt so much from my peers every day. The final task that ended the project was creating a physical model of the house. That marked the satisfaction of having the chance to protect our heritage.
Image Credit to Atiqah Ghazali
How Does Architecture Conservation Make Us Appreciate The Past?
I had this one class during my studies called Architecture Conservation. Instead of going through slides, our lecturer, Mr Azim, would teach us through movies and class trips. My favourite class trip was the trip to Badan Warisan Malaysia, a leading national heritage NGO. We had a tour to a traditional Malay house that they had conserved, Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman. At the end of the day, I had the opportunity to witness another heritage, still standing after 100 years!
Image credit to Elisa.rolle, licensed under Creative Commons
UNESCO World Heritage has indeed given a fresh breath of air for many historically important sites. So in the next part of my experience with conservation, we explore another well-known heritage site in Penang, Malaysia, The Clan Jetties.
In the meantime, if you have an interest in preserving a tradition, check out A Forgotten Wau Bulan: Preserving The Tradition by Najwa Maihazam. She talks about a traditional kite in Malaysia called the Wau!
Enjoyed reading your post. I’m dreaming of purchasing a restored traditional house for me and my family. I don’t mind a fixer upper as well, but will need professional support. Do you have any contacts or would you have any advice on how to make my dream a reality.
Looking for a traditional home and want to make it entirely sustainable and off-grid.
Regards,
E
Hi Emile! So sorry for the late response!
Thank you so much for reading my post, appreciate it alot:)
I love your dream! I currently don’t have any contacts with anyone that sells traditional houses. But I will ask around and let you know! I will give you an email so that we can talk about this further!
Assalamualakum and hi. Sorry for bothering. If you dont mind me asking, can I have the detail measurement and drawing of this house, for my assignment purpose. Thank you for helping.
Waalaikumsalam Nabiella. No worries and sure! Thank you for taking the time to read my write-up. Will be sharing with you the measurements soon. Thanks!
Hi assalamualaikum, I’m sorry for bothering, if you dont mind, can Ihave the measurement of this house for my assignment?
Waalaikumsalam Dee! Thank you for taking the time to read my write up! I will be sharing you some of the measurements soon! Thanks!:)
Hi assalamualaikum
Nak mintak tolong nak tengok measurement detail boleh ? Untuk assignment . And tq helping
Hye assalamualaikum. I am nurin. can i have the detail measurements and drawing for this building for architecture assignment purpose if you dont mind ? Heres my email hope you dont mind.
Thank you for helping
Hi Nurin! Thank you for taking the time to read my write-up! I will be sharing with you some of the measurements and drawings to help with your assignment. All the best!
Hi assalamualaikum for my assignment maybe can help little bit ? about measurement tht house ? here my email *********@*****.com
Waalaikumsalam Faris! Thank you so much for taking the time to read the write-up. I will email you some of the drawings with the measurements. Hope it helps!
Hello,can i have the drawings and the measurements details too? (for assignment purpose).Thankss for helping so much.XDXD Here’s my email…
Hi Lynn! Thank you for reading my article! I will send you an email regarding the measurements of Rumah Tok Su. Hope it helps!
thank you so much atiqah! here is my email ya **********@*****.com. Thank you so much!
assalamualaikum, is it possiblle for me to know the measurement for the windows of the house? thx
Waalaikumsalam, and hi! Most of the windows of the house are 850mm (W) x 1200mm (H). But for your reference, I will send you an email with the window drawings. Hope it helps!
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Do you mind to explain more about the design of the motif (kerawang) and the fascia board ? Why do they ‘ukir’ like that, i think there must been something they represent off.
Hi! Thank you so much for reading! And yes, I don’t mind at all to share more about the motif designs. Most motifs around the house are inspired by natural elements (plants). Usually, the plants motifs are mostly selected from significant plants in Malay culture with edibility, medicinal values and aesthetics such as beautifully shaped leaves and fragrant scent. However, the motifs are not carved exactly like what they looks like in nature, but instead interpreted according to their appropriateness with Malay culture and values by the carvers. The ornaments on the fascia board which is known as “papan pator”, is also a flora motif. Carvers would get inspired from the plants growing around the house and add their own geometrical creativity to it. I wish I could share more because this is a very interesting topic to talk about. But thanks to you, I might have the next idea for my next article! Thank you for your interest!
hi. If you dont mind, can i know measurement about the house? During this pendemic can go to site but need to measure the house for assignment. Thanks!!
Hi Nurul! No problem, I will send you an email with a few drawings and documents that can help you with your assignment. Hope it will help. 🙂
thank you so much atiqah! here is my email ya **********@*****.com. Thank you so much!
Your welcome Nurul! Hope it helps with your assignment:)