ABANDON HOUSE JALAN RAJA CHULAN

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

1.1 Of Jalan Raja Chulan

a road that has brought much convenience to the people of Kuala Lumpur as it links two busy areas, namely Masjid Jamek and the Golden Triangle.

Renamed after Raja Chulan (formerly was Weld Road) in 1982

Currently (since 1982) named after Raja Sir Chulan, Raja di Hilir Perak, the first Malay unofficial member of the Federal Council (1924–1933);

formerly named after Sir Frederick Aloysius Weld ( 1823 - 1891), Governor of the Straits Settlements.

1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Raja Chulan

DYAM Raja Sir Chulan ibniAlmarhum Sultan Abdullah (Raja Di-Hilir: 1920-1933)

- urged the British to improve the Malay’s people economic standing and their access to employment in the civil service.

- vocal in other matters of British administration of the Malay States

- first Malay ever to be appointed DO

location map

O L D M A L A Y A

In the late 1870, European coffee planters in Ceylon left the island to try their luck in Malaya because a fungal disease had decimated their crops.

By 1880, the Honorable R.B. Downall obtained two concessions; 77 hectares (194 acres) on a hillock near the heart of Kuala Lumpur, which he named Weld Hill after the Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Frederick Weld.

8 dilapidated heritage buildings

- it was built in around 1930 and called the ‘’Serani Row’’ (also known as Eurasian, a landmass consisting of the traditional continents of Asia and Europe)

- this colonial building used to be the glamorous residences of the Eurasian community

1.2 of ABANDONED SHOPHOUSES

OLD MALAYA; PAMPAS

- little knows about this building, it is however very well possible that one part of this building was once the home of F.B. Hicks( Secretary of the Selangor Planters' Association)

R E L A T I O N THE Façade - they do boast two intricate crests, each bearing the acronym "oEs", a feature vaguely reminiscent of the Eastern & Oriental Hotel's crest in Penang, another one of British colonial area.

SOCIAL BACKGROUND

Social Background of Jalan Raja Chulan

Jalan Raja Chulan offers glimpses into KL’s history. KUALA Lumpur folk mustbe so used to Jalan Raja Chulan that thousands of them drive past without asecond thought to its past or present. It is a road that has brought muchconvenience to the people of Kuala Lumpur as it links two busy areas, namelyMasjid Jamek and the Golden Triangle.

• Menara KL is easily one of Malaysia’s most recognizable and popularlandmarks.

• Currently the 18th-tallest freestanding structure in the world.• Menara KL plays host to a revolving restaurant, Atmosphere 360,

serving local and western cuisine.• Sitting atop the Bukit Nanas (Pineapple Hill) Forest Reserve.• The oldest gazetted forest reserve in the country.• The tower’s architectural style reflects Malaysia’s Islamic heritage

with walls inscribed with Arabic scripts and floor tiles, floral motifsand abstract patterns.

L A N D M A R K

• Jalan Raja Chulan is one of themost important place in KualaLumpur because the economy heregrow rapidly.

• This is due to the construction ofKL Monorail near that area whichmake the transportation mucheasier.

• Examples are Raja Chulan Stationand Bukit Nanas Station.

• The Weld shopping centre, is the most obvious reminder of thestreet’s previous name.

• This area is also one of the tourist attraction due to thepresence of KL Tower.

• Very crowded at both day and night time that lead to the factorof heavy traffic jam, especially during the peak hour.

The Weld shopping centre

Raja Chulan Station

E C O N O M Y

• This area is very crowded with people.• Most of them are Malaysian, but a lot of foreigners too.• Most of them came here to work, study and also as

tourists.

• Along the Jalan Raja Chulan itself, there are a lot ofprivate colleges.

• The presence of these colleges is also the main factor ofdifferent nationality mixture.

• Thus, lead to different language spoken.

N A T I O N A L I T Y

• Nightclubs are an almost inevitable part ofKuala Lumpur’s social life.

• There are quite a few city streets that playhost to after-dark venues that range fromcustom-built super-clubs to classic pubs withniche soundtracks.

• Strategically located between Jalan P.Ramleeand Changkat Bukit Bintang.

• Jalan Raja Chulan is considered one of themain road for nightlife.

• The Best Nightlife place near Jalan Raja Chulanto dance, drink and party are Providence KL ,SkyBar, Luna Bar, Sultan Lounge, Heli Lounge Barand Pisco Bar.

Jalan P.Ramlee

Changkat Bukit Bintang

L I F E S T Y L E

ARCHITECTURAL STYLE

a. Built during colonial era , 1931.

b. Facing the busy and heavy traffic road ;

Jalan Raja Chulan.

c. Known as Serani Row

d. Corner unit – poor condition.

e. Six unit in the middle – vary from

abandoned just habitable.

f. During olden days, represented as the

best and elite accommodation in the city

home of the Eurasian Community.

A B A N D O N H O U S E A L O N G J A L A N R A J A C H U L A N

a. Influenced by European & Chinese

b. Symmetrical design

c. Central Entrance

d. Air-well / Courtyard

e. 2 storey height

f. Windows & Ventilators

CHARACTERISTIC OF COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE IN MALASIA

CHARACTERISTIC OF COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE IN MALASIA

DILAPIDATION SURVEY

NO AREA BUILDING DEFECT TYPE OF DEFECT SUGGESTED TREATMENT

1 Concrete spalling Occur on walls, the steel reinforcing bars within the concrete begin to corrode and expand, causing the breakage on the surface.

Concrete spalling treatment In order to effect repairs, spalled concrete must be removed and any exposed steel must either be replaced or cleaned and treated.

2 Concrete wall cracking Crack injection emecole epoxy crack repairs product

NO AREA BUILDING DEFECT TYPE OF DEFECT SUGGESTED TREATMENT

3 Degrading paint Paint can be seen cracking and flacking off, exposing the previous paint colour.

Repaint

4 Biological activity The fungus is typically found in accumulations of droppings around roosting and nesting sites. For example attics, cupolas ledges and water towers.

Cleaning

NO AREA BUILDING DEFECT TYPE OF DEFECT SUGGESTED TREATMENT

5 Defective plaster Defective plaster occurs mostly on external walls, column and ceiling of the old buildings. It is mainly due to biological attacks arising out of penetrating rain, water evaporation, condensation process, air pollution, dehydration and thermal stress on old building materials.

Crazing is a network of fine cracks, usually in a hexagonal pattern, which measures between 5and 75mm across each hexagon.

6 Defective rainwater goodsCommon problems associated with the defective rainwater goods in old building include sagging or missing eaves gutter, corroded or broken galvanized iron down pipes or leaking rainwater heads

Maintenance of gutteringScoop out the rubbish from the guttering using a trowel or a piece of card bent into a scoop within the profile of the gutter.

PROPOSAL OF ADAPTIVE REUSE

Abandon building To

Visitor Centre

Symbolising and introducing the rich history of the area to visitors.

Giving the tourist and visitors to the area a better understandingand direction of the place. A new landmark for the area that they can pin to their maps.

Development of businesses nearby is rapidly growing, with large amount of visitor flow through, best to create a visitor centre to convey information.

Programs and activities

Dramas and performance showing multi tradition culture of Malaysia. The theatre is a showcase of the rich history through the form of art and story telling.

Wayang Kulit Mak Yong

T H E A T R E

Programs and activities

This gallery briefly explains the culture and history of the area through exhibits like artwork, sculptures, models and pictures. There will also be an area where a video explanation will be provided along with seating for visitors to rest.

Antique Display Art display

G A L L E R Y

Row of 8 unit, few of them are internally connected for larger floor area and also for ease of movement. The entrance of each unit are separated and each unit have its very own unique display, about history of Jalan Raja Chulan and history of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Spatial Planning

Reception

Staff Office and Pantry

Gallery

Lounge

Retail

Legend

Ground Floor Plan

This theatre is capable for 50 people, consideras a relatively small theatre. This theatretheme “Malaysia Culture”. Other spaces will bededicated for display gallery. A passagecorridor is created to connect every unit onfirst floors.

Spatial Planning

Theatre

Corridor

Gallery

Legend

First Floor Plan

Materiality

Gallery Space

Open lounge Current condition of the building

The exterior façade will be leave unchanged but with repair work for retaining value. On interior, using characteristic of colonial architecture as theme, heavy brick work through out the whole building, this way to retain the building’s originality.

Wall – Brick wall with plaster

and paint finishes

Floor – Quarry floor tiles

Countertop – Bricks work with no finishes

Gallery display – Steel frame

Seating (For theatre) – Wooden chair

Stage (For theatre) – Plywood