by Sukhjit Sidhu

• Prior Merdeka• Post Independence Architecture

• Malaysian Architectural IdentityModern RevivalismMetaphorMachine FunctionalismModernistic ExpressionismModern Primitive Regionalism

MALAYSIA - MODERN ARCHITECTURAL IDENTITY

There’s a growing consensus in the architectural profession that the

special identity of places matters.

Why??

This seems to be based on the perception that globalization is creating an undesirable uniformity in cities around the world.

Is that good or bad??

What is your identity??

The Quest for a Malaysian Architectural

Identity

The problem with architectural identity

Modern dilemma??

Frank lloyd wright –- what is trully american??

Augustus pugin –- what is true christian architecture?? Gothic??

Albert speer –- what showcases aryan superiority??

General architectural

identity

1. a natural identity2. a forced identity3. manufactured identity

1. Natural identitydefined as one which has

what the modernist thinkers refer to as a ‘’spirit of the times’ and what

present post-modernist concerns of a ‘’spirit of the place’

2. forced identitydefined as that which is

produced by clients for the users who have little choice in the matter.

3. manufactured identityWhen politicians and professionals

begin to impose their racial andpolitical preferences

APPROACHES IN DEFINING ARCHITECTURAL IDENTITY IN

MALAYSIA

The modern movement in Europe gave birth to ‘’three ‘traditions’ of

modernism.

The first is the pure machine approach to architecture that isstructural in emphasis, skin and

bones in expression and the minimalist

less-is-more dictum of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

The second tradition is by Le Corbusier who argues that

although houses were machines for living in, the whole architectural

product must present an intellectual beauty of platonic forms and brute

regionalist response.

The third tradition is the one by Frank Lloyd Wright who argues for an organic architecture

steeped in the regional climatic and cultural responses complete with a

serious system of ornamentation

The malaysian solution

MACHINE FUNCTIONALISMThis approach carries with it the

tradition of Mies and Corbu in considering the building as nothing

more than a machine that would sieve

the climate through it.

MACHINE FUNCTIONALISMContinuity from the idea of modernism. Late Modernism - Expressing the structure. 1. Functionalism – true to materials, structure,

function of the building2. Machine aesthetic – expressing the beauty of

structure, mechanical features3. build a passive design shelter in response to

the local climate

Example :Menara Mesiniaga, Sabah Foundation etc.

Mesiniaga Tower, Subang Jaya

MACHINE FUNCTIONALISM

Sabah Foundation, Kota Kinabalu

University Petronas, Perak

Guthrie Pavillion, Bukit Jelutong

Primitive regionalismPrimitive regionalism is similar in spirit to

that of the machine regionalist in their quest for a climatically passive design

building. However, the primitive regionalist believes that materials play an

important role not only as something which would weather well but it connects

man to his ancient origins as part of Nature’s children.

PRIMITIVE REGIONALISM

The Datai, Langkawi

Batang Ai Hilton, Sarawak

PRIMITIVE REGIONALISM

Private residence, Selangor Pangkor Laut, Perak

Traditional malay revivalism

One of the earliest responses to the government’s call to project a

national architectural identity was the proliferation of pseudo-traditional

Malay architecture.

REVIVALISM• One of the most popular approach to represent national

architectural identity.• Its easily understood by architect, clients and user.• Continuity from the past architectural heritage• Also known as neo-vernacular or neo-traditional

Revivalism come from the word ‘revive’.• To recreate/resurrect the architrectural ideas of the past.• style and meaning plays very important role.

This approach has been introduced in Malaysia by British Colonial. Neo-Classical, Neo-Gothic, Neo-Tudor and Moghul

Example - Kota Darul Naim, Bank Muamalat, Muzium Terengganu, PWTC,

REVIVALISM

Kota Darul Naim, Kota Bharu Kampung laut mosque, Tumpat

REVIVALISMTerengganu State Museum Mualat bank podium

Traditional house, Terengganu Putra World Trade Centre

metaphorThe use of metaphors are identified with

architects who view buildings not as mere shelters but as a

totem pole riddled with messages

METAPHORIn language & writings – Metaphor as a tools to represent

hidden meaning

• For the architect to communicate and convey a deeper meaning is their creation – to be easily understood by the common user.

• Effort to design the building to look similar / look alike different objects / building.

• Sometimes its like an act of imitation.

Example : National Library, Negeri Sembilan Mosque, Istana Budaya, Tabung Haji, Menara Maybank

METAPHOR

Istana Budaya, National Theatre Tapak Sireh (betel container)

National Library, Kuala Lumpur Tengkolok (malay headress)

MALAYSIA - MODERN ARCHITECTURAL IDENTITY - METAPHOR

Sunway Pyramid, Subang Jaya

Putrajaya International Convention Centre

Telekom Tower, Kuala LumpurTelekom’s Building Pucuk Rebung

(Bamboo Shoot)

Modernistic expressionismThe term modernistic implies the machine

approach of building as a climate sieve as in the works of Ken Yeang with a rejection of direct

historical reference in its image. The term expressionism is used

by historians and critics of architecture to describe a certain bent in modernist architects to use abstract metaphors which are almost always

‘structuralised’

MODERNISTIC EXPRESSIONISM• New creativity – progressive. Base on the ideas or

modernism• Expressing the idea of value & meaning into built form • Difference between Machine Functionalism &

Modernistic Expressionism

Similarity / DifferenceMachine Functionalism – Structural efficiencyModernistic Expressionism – Aesthetic and symbolism

Example : Parliament House, Masjid Negara, etc

MODERNISTIC EXPRESSIONISM

Masjid Negara Pusat Bandar Damansara, PJ

MODERNISTIC EXPRESSIONISM

Parliament House Condominium Block, Bangsar

MALAYSIAN IDENTITY: THE

WAY…FORWARD??