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Old Victoria Institution
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ARCHITECTURE CULTURE AND HISTORY 2 [ARC1323]
Architecture Heritage Building Analysis
Old Victoria Institution
Team Members:
Arif Zakwan Bin Abdul Hamid 0303736
Irdinah Farhanah Binti Mohamed Elias 0304737
Nur Fazlin Binti Zulkifli 0303613
Mohammad Syarulnizam Bin Mohd Nasir 0302549
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Map of Old Kuala Lumpur. Location of Old Victoria Institution along Jalan Tun H. S. Lee
The Old Victoria Institution is located along Jalan Tun H.S. Lee in the heart of
Old Kuala Lumpur. Currently, the Old Victoria Institution building is utilized as a
culture house. This place, now known as ‘Taman Budaya’, was established in 2005
after three years of rebuilding since 28th of October 2002 and the cost of rebuilding
the structure into a culture house was approximately eight million Ringgit Malaysia.
Initially, Old Victoria Institution was an English boy’s school. It was dubbed
Victoria Institution in commemoration of Queen Victoria then. The architect of the
building, A. C. Norman who was working at the Department of Public Works, used an
architectural style known as Victorian English Cottage as his inspiration for the Old
Victoria Institution.
The institution was established due to a need to set up an English school in
Kuala Lumpur to rival the highly acclaimed Raffles Institution in Singapore. A stone
was placed on site on 14th August 1893, which was officiated by Lady William Hood
who was the spouse of Sir William Hood Treacher. Sir William was the first British
resident in Selangor. The institution was then officially opened on 3 rd July 1984 and
principal, Mr. Bennett Eyre Shaw, led the school.
Foundation Stone
Victoria Institution stood strong as an educational institution with various
achievements and expansions. On 28th March 1929, a new curriculum was
introduced where drama and debate were two extra curricular activities that were
placed much emphasis on. During the same year, Victoria Institution was relocated to
Petaling Hill and the building was occupied by The Technical Institute of Kuala
Lumpur before being replaced by High Street School in the 1950s.
Arts and culture became more apparent between 1970s and 1980s especially
in the fields of theatre and dance. The Old Victoria Institution building became a
practice center and a place for gathering for performances of arts and culture. During
the 1980s, Taman Budaya, also known as Panggung Drama or Pusat Seni was
officiated by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) where an array of cultural and
arts activities were held at the Old Victoria Institution building till today.
CONTEXTUAL CONDITION
The rapid economic development of Selangor following the establishment of
the British Protectorate in 1874 created a growing demand for English education.
Consequently, a Government English School was established in 1890. However, it
was soon found to be inadequate. As its name suggests, the Old Victoria Institution is
a memorial school. Towards the end of the 19th century, demand for English
education made by a group of prominent spirited citizens such as Towkay Loke Yew,
Captain China Yap Kwan Seng, and Thamboosamy Pillay eventually led to the
founding of the Old Victoria Institution. The institute was built in 1893 with the help of
British Resident, Sir William Hood Treacher and with funds donated by The Sultan of
Selangor, H.H. Abdul Samad.
It was unusual, as it was neither a denominational nor government school.
Part of the funding came from donations and the rest from the balance of the
Queen’s Jubilee Fund in 1887, hence the school’s name. Designed by AC Norman,
the building was based on an English cottage, half-brick and half-timber, with Gothic
features. The lower floor, which was originally a playground, has Gothic arches. The
upper floor housed three classrooms that were interconnected by arches. Part of the
original verandah above this lower floor can still be seen at the back of the building.
Although the school fronted High Street, its main entrance was actually on the north
side. Above this entrance was a gable on which were mounted the royal coat of arms
and the date of the School's foundation - 1893. A long curving porch covered the
entrance steps.
In 1929, owing to lack of space and its flood-prone location, the school moved
to a new premise on Petaling Hill, now Jalan Hang Tuah, where it still stands today.
The original foundation plate is today affixed to the front façade of the present VI
building. The Victoria Institution building was one of many to be floodlit for the
coronation revelry. In 1929, the campus moved to its present location and the
buildings on High Street became the home of three different educational institutions.
Over the years the building fell into disrepair and was left vacant until the recent fire
on 26 July 1999. With the straightening of the Klang River and the construction of a
viaduct at a later date, buildings were removed until the only remaining structure was
the Infants' school of the Old VI. This was known as the Panggung Derama, a
Performing Arts Centre and rehearsal venue. This structure was the last remaining
building from the campus of the Old VI. The original campus of the Old VI was
completed in 1894. It was located on High Street, on the bank of the Klang River, in
the heart of Kuala Lumpur. This street is now known as Jalan Tun H. S. Lee.
Political changes in Malaya have also contributed to a change in the running
of the School. When Malaya achieved independence and became a full-fledged
democratic country, it was also decided to democratize the management of the
school to inculcate a sense of responsibility amongst the residents of Kuala Lumpur
regarding the education of their children. According to the terms of the Education
Ordinance of 1957, Boards of Governors were to be set up in all Schools. In the
Victoria Institution three members of the Board were to be nominated by the Ministry
of Education, two by State government, three by the President of the Victoria
Institution Old Boys' Association and three by the parents of the pupils. Both the
Government and the public were amply represented in the new Board, and it in many
ways resembled the Board of Trustees, on whom was entrusted the management of
the School when it was quasi-independent.
During World War II, the Victoria Institution was used as the administrative
headquarters by the invading Japanese army and after Japan's defeat in the war, the
surrender ceremony of the administration of Malaya to the British was also held there
on 22 February 1946. The first School bell, which was installed when the V.I. first
opened in 1893, disappeared during the Japanese occupation and could not be
traced in spite of thorough and searching inquiries. A veritable social revolution
occurred in 1950 with the admission to the School of its first girl, Miss Yoong Yan
Yoong, from the Methodist Girls' School. In 1911, the headmaster’s bungalow, which
used to be sited on the school grounds, was the scene of a murder that stunned the
local community. The episode was immortalized by Somerset Maugham in one of his
famous short stories that later was adapted for the film called "The Letter".
The School Bell that went missing
TIMELINE
1893
VI was established
It was to take after the enormously successful Raffles Institution in Singapore.
Construction began – 2 buildings, one a school block known as Block 1(Infant
School) & the other a large bungalow for the headmaster
1894
Officially opened on High Street
Renamed Jalan Bandar soon after the Malayan Independence
The road with many of its original shop houses still remains, however it is now
known as Jalan Tun HS Lee.
1895
Gombak Road has now been renamed Damansara Road
Police barracks, facing the school, have now been built beside the Police
Station
1899
A new VI block, Block 2(Lower School), was built beside the first block
1902
Block 3(Middle School) was added behind block 2
This new block consisted of a laboratory and 3 classrooms.
In addition, a gymnasium was built beside block 3 - It looked like a Roman
temple with tall columns, two at the front and back, and four on each side.
1909
Block 4(High School) was constructed about 50 meters across the field
behind block 1
1911
Headmaster’s building gained a bit of notoriety
One evening, a European planter was shot several times in the bungalow
– Died on the driveway
– Wife of the acting headmaster was accused of murder
– Pardoned after given the death sentence by the Selangor Sultan
1921
A temporary building was set up to house more classrooms
5 years later, another one-storey building was erected to relieve the pressure
for classroom space
1926
Headmaster, Mr. G. C. Davies, and his family had to be rescued by a
‘sampan’ when they were stranded in his Bungalow.
– Klang River became a hazard as it flooded often
– V.I.’s site was on low ground and as such, the school would occasionally
be under a few feet of water during rainy season and had to be closed.
– Government gave approval for V.I to be built on its present premises
which was what used to be a Chinese cemetery and golf links, due to
persistent flood nuisance
Picture of a flooded Old Victoria Institution during heavy downpour
1929
The old Headmaster’s Bungalow was demolished to allow the Klang River to
be diverted and straightened in the early nineteen thirties.
1945
13 September – VI Hall used for Japanese Surrender (this was repeated on
22nd February 1946)
The end of the second world war
1999
Evening of July 26, a fire broke out in Block 1 – started possibly by drug
addicts who had sneaked into the empty and supposedly locked building
The roof and wooden floor were destroyed although the concrete walls
survived
The gable with “1893” inscribed on it and which had stood for 106 years was
consumed by the flames
Thus, the very first and most historic building of the Victoria Institution met its
sad demise
Picture of the fire that broke out in Block 1
2002
Reconstruction began on 28th October 2002
2005
Reconstruction completed
Transformed into a hub for arts and culture (Taman Budaya)
Map of 1939
Shows significant change in the former V.I complex.
Various kinks in the Klang River are now gone and the River is what is like
today but only three buildings are shown in the complex now known as
Technical College.
The map missed out Block 4 and some other small buildings, but has drawn
in the road separating Block 1 from Blocks 2 and 3
Map of 1950
Shows little change in the former V.I complex 5 years after the war
There is extensive road remodeling south of the complex near the Chinese
Assembly Hall where a roundabout has been built
The Technical College remained in High Street School until 1954 when it
moved to Jalan Gurney (now Jalan Semarak)
Newly established High Street School took over the old V.I premises
In 1957, this school in turn moved out to new premises in Setapak – Now
known as High School Setapak
Illustration of structural layout transformation over the years
Map of 1961
Shows densely packed post-Merdeka Kuala Lumpur, with buildings sprouting
everywhere
All the remaining former V.I buildings except Block 1 are to be demolished at
year’s end to allow for the construction of the viaduct spanning the Klang
River from the National Mosque to the Chinese Assembly
Station street has been renamed Jalan Balai Polis – its length is truncated
considerably as the Police Station premises have been extended into the
junction of the street with High Street
High Street has been renamed Jalan Bandar – roundabout at the Chinese
Assembly Hall is now known as Bulatan Merdeka
Old River Road – a watery bend in the river which once coursed alongside
the school’s Blocks 2 and 3 and which had been filled in during the early
thirties. The river has become a road!
Over the next thirty years, Block 1 would become, firstly, the Panggung
Derama under the auspices of the National Drama Council and later the
Pusat Seni.
Map of 1993
Shows, Block 1 sits forlornly amidst massive change
Tall skyscrapers loom above it and there is a busy traffic interchange a
stone’s throw away
Jalan Sultan Mohamed now runs where the old Klang River used to curve
past the Headmaster’s Bungalow
The old Jalan Sekolah is now nameless – just narrow lane separating the
Klang Bus Station from the Uda-Ocean Shopping Complex
Since 1998, an LRT track (not shown) follows Jalan Sultan Mohamed to the
Pasar Seni Station opposite the Bus Station
Old River Road has lost its name but still serves its function of funneling High
Street (Jalan Bandar) traffic into Bulatan Merdeka
Since late sixties, Jalan Bandar has been called Jalan Tun H.S. Lee
Completing the V.I connection, the late Tun H.S. Lee, though not a Victorian
himself, sent his sons to the new V.I in the forties and fifties
The above visualization depicts the school at the end of a school day in
the late twenties, with students involved in the major extra-curricular
activities
Hawkers along High Street do roaring business with home-bound V.I boys
Across the Klang River in the background is the Railway Station
Facing the school are the barracks of the High Street Police Station
Far left, accessible by a bridge from High Street, is a large engineering
works
Large trees line the school’s frontage
Headmaster’s bungalow is drawn from imagination, based on written
accounts of its features and from its outline in maps
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF OLD VICTORIA INSTITUTION
Old Victoria Institution is highly influenced by an English Cottage style. With
the support from the British residents of Selangor, they erected a premium English
institution for boys in Kuala Lumpur. Evidences in most of the forms and structures of
this building are attributed to such a style. There are also parts of the building that
feature an architectural style that is similar to that of Gothic Architecture
By viewing this building from its elevation, elements on the left side of the
building is most often not similar to that on the opposite section of the building thus,
illustrating an asymmetry which is one of the many characteristics of English Cottage
architectural style. Also, materials with a combination of timber and bricks are often
used in this form of English Cottage architectural style.
English Cottage Style Architecture
The building’s roof is vertically raised and it has been divided by its horizontal
run which is called the slope. Basically, it is a roof with two slopes that meet at a
central ridge and this is known as the Medium Pitched Roof as the angle of the roof
is more than 20 degrees. Malaysia is known for its high amount of rainfall and this
contributed to the decision towards selecting a ‘Pitched Roof’ to ensure adequate
surface run-off to redirect water to the ground. This helps to minimize the damage on
the roof over time hence, ensuring that the roof maximizes its longest possible
lifespan. There is also a structure known as a Cupola located at the top of the roof.
The Cupola of the Old Victoria Institution features a conical roof resting atop a
cuboid. Thermal panel windows are utilized in this ‘cuboid’ to provide a point of
lookout or to admit light and air in.
Pitched roof and Cupola
Another interesting feature of this English Cottage styled building is the
exposed timber structures. Based on current renovations that we have observed on
site, they seek to re-expose the rafters, timber purlins and posts in order to re-
establish a perceived historical authenticity. Rafters are one series of slope structural
members, also known as beams, which exist in the roof structures. They are
extended from the ridge to the wall. The main purpose of these rafters is to provide
support to the roof deck as well as the associated loads and pressure imposed by the
wooden members. Purlins are the longitudinal and horizontal structural members of
the roof. These purlins support the rafters and they are placed beneath the
midsection of the rafters. Concurrently, vertical posts that are widely known as pillars
or columns support the horizontal members and weight of the entire structure.
Exposed rafters, timber purlins and posts
The arches that exist in this building are highly influenced by Gothic
Architecture. The type of arch featured in the Old Victoria Institution is the equilateral
arch given the obtuse angle created by the arch. Also, the combination of the two
centered arches and the chords of curves equates to the span of arch. The windows
of the Victoria Institution feature styles from both English Cottage and Gothic
Architecture. The Equilateral arch influences the circumference of the window while
the inner rectangular section is attributed to the English Cottage style.
ELEVATIONS
Front Elevation
COMPARATIVE STUDY
During the late 19th century and early 20th century, Victorian Architecture
experienced a massive influence from Gothic and Tudor era designs, from it sprung
the Gothic and Tudor Revival movements.
The Gothic Revival style is evident in numerous buildings that were designed,
built and finished in the late half of the 19 th century, especially in Great Britain. Its
colonies, such as the gothic arches, colored windows and spires, from residential to
public, buildings of this period seem to abide to a very popular set of designs that
went out of fashion in the architectural world 3 centuries ago, this revival of style
coined by architects, Neo-Gothic, seem to have less complexity and is more toned
down.
On the other hand, the Neo- Tudor style also reemerged in to scene; this style
was popular all around South Eastern colonies such as Singapore and Malaysia, with
buildings such as the Royal Selangor Club and the Black-and-White houses in
Singapore. The Old VI possess features that illustrate a mixture of both revivals, such
as the roof, arches and the spire like bell tower.
View of the bell tower of the Old Victoria Institution Block A
Staying in the same typological pool, there are a number of educational
buildings that bear similar styling to the Old VI building. Educational buildings with
neo gothic styles were categorized into a sub style called Collegiate Gothic, and this
style was popular with schools and universities.
The following are a few examples of buildings that feature Collegiate Gothic
architecture styling.
1. South Division St. School 1910-1940, Grand Rapids,
Michigan
This elementary school building was built about 2
decades after the Old VI building was finished, and they
contain quite similar style in certain areas such as the
tower and the deep-pitched roof. Both schools do have a
pointed bell tower, which is a trait that can be traced back
to Gothic architecture where they had very sharp pointed
bell towers that are always placed above the main building
level.
2. Scotch College 1902, Melbourne, Australia
The similarities of both buildings are very strong, the Old VI campus had
gothic styled arches that act as openings into the hallways, a curved and pointed
shape that can be seen on many windows and entrances in Gothic styled Churches.
The second similarity is the deep pitched roofing, they are slanted in an acute degree
and the dormers are connected by the main roof ridge but they spread to the four
directions around the building, this arrangement though is not of gothic influence but
from Tudor revival. The Old VI building had half-timbered style dormer facades
which are a trademark of Tudor style architecture; this is also evident in Scotch
College’s campus. Unfortunately the bell tower from Scotch College looks different
than the one in Old VI, this supports the point that the Old VI building has elements of
gothic style implemented to it but it is mainly designed with the Tudor Cottage styles
as the main design.
The Old Victoria Institution seems to draw influences from Gothic and Tudor
styles, looking at the other surviving works of the architect A.C Norman who
designed the school such as The Royal Selangor Club.
Royal Club Selangor
Side by side comparison of the Old VI arches (left) and Scotch College’s hallways arches
This building features the black-and-white Tudor design with the half-timbered
walls running all over the building’s façade. As such, given the architect’s apparent
Tudor styled concept in his other works such as this, it is with the translation of these
ideas towards the erection of the Old Victoria Institution that we see such similar
architecture styling.
Branching out from the Arts and Crafts Movement and Art Nouveau, English
Cottage styling through works of C.F. A. Voysey and Norman Shaw were also
evident in the structure of the Old Victoria Institution. Features such as asymmetry, a
medium pitched roof, arched doors, gable roofing and half timbering indicate that the
Old Victoria Institution is of an English Cottage descent as well.
The following are comparisons on features between that of the Old Victoria Institution
by A.C. Norman and famous works by C.F.A.house for C.S. Loch at Oxshott Voysey
Arched doorway along the corridor
on the 1st floor of Block A
The Old Victoria Institution (Side Profile) and House for C.S. Loch at Oxshott by
C.F.A Voysey illustrating features of structural asymmetry and gable roofing.
Victoria Institution
South Division St. School
Scotch College Hawthorne
(Dorm)
Royal Selangor Club
Officially completed in 1894, design having a blend of Neo-Gothic and English Cottage style.
Completed in 1910, design has a very strong Neo-colonial and a little Neo-Gothic influence
Completed in 1902, strong English Cottage Style influence and Neo Gothic
Completed in 1890, Strong Cottage Style influences
Half Timbered roofing and a spire-like bell tower.
More towards the Neo-Georgian style of roofing, where they have small windows on the roof facades. Sharp looking spire.
Half Timbered roofing. Half Timbered roofing on all buildings. Black coloured timber and white coloured walls.
Gothic styled arches and medium pitched roofing.
Colonial Revival styled roofing, deeply pitched.
Gothic Styled arches and medium pitched roofing.
Deep pitched roofing.
Conical bell tower, sharply pointed and above building level.
Round spire and above main building level
Square bell tower No bell tower.
Educational Building Educational Building Educational Building Social Club
CONCLUSION
All in all, by drawing references of other works of the architect, A.C. Norman,
are we’re able to understand the design influences of the Old Victoria Institution
building. Also, by acknowledging the start of Victorian Architecture, we are able to
recognize other renowned architects of such architectural influence and how their
styling is reflected or can be cross-referenced with the elements featured in the Old
Victoria Institution. Apart from that, the political, social and economical issues that
occurred through the decades have significantly played a crucial role in the sizing
and expansion of the institution itself.
Also, despite an all-encompassing English Cottage style, which may also
feature Gothic architecture elements, it is important that we distinguish between the
two so as to comprehend the category of the design influences of each architectural
or structural feature.
By acknowledging the existence of the Old Victoria Institution and by
understanding the history as well as structural transformations in which the building
has undergone, we are able to not only understand the main design influences for
architecture during that era but also relate to how such influences have been
translated to other buildings in Malaysia apart from the Old Victoria Institution. As
such, the Old Victoria Institution is indeed a vital asset in the Malaysian architectural
heritage since it is one of the significant beginnings of architecture in Malaysia during
the governance of the British in that era.
Hence, conserving the Old Victoria Institution is crucial to enable
comprehension of Malaysia’s architectural history and how influences of Arts and
Craft during a Victorian era dominate most architectural designs in Europe. These
design influences are then brought down to South East Asian countries such as
Malaysia during the reign of the British Empire.
REFERENCE LIST:
Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM). (1975) Guide to Kuala Lumpur Notable
Buildings. Papyrus Printers & Stationers Sdn. Bhd.
Mohd Bakri Jaffar. (2007) Bangunan-Bangunan Bersejarah. Ultimate Print Sdn. Bhd.
Doraisamy J. (1993) Victoria Institution The First Century 1893-1993
Victoria Institution. (n.d.) A History of Victoria Institution 1893-1961. Charles Garnier
& Co. Ltd, Kuala Lumpur.
Executive Engineer, Works & Buildings, Kuala Lumpur. (1924) Memorandum.
Repair Works on Deteriorating Timber Roofing.
Secretary of Victoria Institution. (1907). Extension of Buildings, Victoria Institution.
Chung Chee Min. (2000). The School at the River Bend.
http://www.viweb.freehosting.net/viOldVI.htm Accessed 13 April 2013
South Division St. School. Historygrandrapids.org. Retrieved May 10, 2013, from
http://www.historygrandrapids.org/photo/1528/south-division-st-school
Mishura, P. Ashton, D. Scotch – 160 years in five pages. scotch.vic.edu.au.
Retrieved May 10, 2013, from
http://www.scotch.vic.edu.au/gscot/11decgs/08.htm
Clark, Kenneth (1962). The Gothic Revival (3rd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart &
Winston. pp. 173–4
Gothic Revival Style 1830 – 1860. portal.state.pa.us. Retrieved May 8, 2013, from
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/mid-
19th_century_period/2386/gothic_revival_style/293443
1890 - Present: Tudor House Style. architecture.about.com. Retrieved May 9, 2013,
from http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/tudor-
utica-jc-5240029.htm