by Sukhjit Sidhu

MALAYSIA - MODERN ARCHITECTURAL IDENTITY

Prior Merdeka Post Independence Architecture

Malaysian Architectural Identity Modern Revivalism Metaphor Machine Functionalism Modernistic Expressionism Modern Primitive Regionalism

Theres 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 identity 2. a forced identity 3. manufactured identity

1. Natural identity
defined 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 identity
defined as that which is produced by clients for the users who have little choice in the matter.

3. manufactured identity
When politicians and professionals begin to impose their racial and political 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 is structural 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 FUNCTIONALISM
This 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 FUNCTIONALISM
Continuity from the idea of modernism. Late Modernism - Expressing the structure. 1. Functionalism true to materials, structure, function of the building 2. Machine aesthetic expressing the beauty of structure, mechanical features 3. build a passive design shelter in response to the local climate Example : Menara Mesiniaga, Sabah Foundation etc.

Mesiniaga Tower, Subang Jaya

MACHINE FUNCTIONALISM

University Petronas, Perak

Guthrie Pavillion, Bukit Jelutong Sabah Foundation, Kota Kinabalu

Primitive regionalism
Primitive 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 Natures 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 governments 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

REVIVALISM
Terengganu State Museum Mualat bank podium

Putra World Trade Centre Traditional house, Terengganu

metaphor
The use of metaphors are identified with architects who view buildings not as mere shelters but as a totem pole riddled with messages

METAPHOR
In 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

Putrajaya International Convention Centre

Sunway Pyramid, Subang Jaya Telekoms Building Telekom Tower, Kuala Lumpur Pucuk Rebung (Bamboo Shoot)

Modernistic expressionism
The 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 / Difference Machine Functionalism Structural efficiency Modernistic 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 WAYFORWARD??