Green Features of Traditional Malaysian Architecture

Words translation:
1. Dapur

Kitchen

2. Pelantar

Family Area

3. Rumah Ibu

Main Area

4. Bilik

Bedroom

5. Anjung

Verandah

6. Serambi

Men Guest Area

1.0 Introduction
The first detailed description of the Malay traditional architecture is the 15 th century
Malaccan Palace. The decaying factor of timber construction and the absence of
written before the 15th century limit the knowledge of this golden heritage to the last
500 years only (KALAM, 2005).
In the Malay traditional architecture, the distinctive features are raised floor
construction, flexibility of spaces and the use of readily available rainforest materials
in the best possible way to encounter the hot-humid climate (KALAM, 2005). The
construction of the Malay traditional architecture has been greatly influenced by the
iterative adaptations to local condition such as climate.
Malaysia is located in the south east of Asia encompassing atropical context near to
the equator with hot and humid biocli-matic conditions and heavy tropical rains and
intensified

solarradiations

(latitude

37N

and

longitude

10133E).

The

normaltemperature in Malaysia ranges between 70 degree F and 90 degree F

through-out, the year while the average monthly rainfall is between 250 mm and 300
mm (Makaremi, Salleh, Jaafar, & GhaffarianHoseini, 2012;Rasdi et al., 2005).

Photo 1.1: Region and Style of The Traditional Houses

(Source: KALAM)

There are four region in the peninsular- Melacca, Perak, Kedah and East-coast style
- but the architecture of these regions are similar to one another (Abdul Rahman, A.,
2000). The similarities and differences of the TMH to other traditional houses within
the Malay world in the South-East Asia region have been discussed from the
perspective of ethnic anthropology by Abdul Rahman, A., Petua Membina Rumah
Melayu Dari Sudut Etnis Antropologi (trans. Guide to Building Malay House from the
Angle of Ethnic Anthropology)
2.0 Plans and Elevation of the Malay Traditional Houses
Shown below are the examples of traditional Malay houses plans and elevations.
The house offers an open plan solution for the application of symbolic or physical
barriers to wherever necessary. For the exact reason, the house is then divided into
few sections- male guest area, female guest area an a family area. Open plan is also
necessary for effective daylighting distribution. The orientation of the house is facing
the east and west (following the Mecca direction), this reduces the exposure to direct
sunlight.

Photo 2.1: Plan of A Typical Traditional Malay House.

(Source: KALAM)

Photo 2.2: Gable Ends Design of Traditional Malay House (Yuan, 1987)

Photo 2.3: The Location of Kitchen in The Traditional Malay Houses

(Source: KALAM)

Photo 2.4: The Basic Erection of Traditional Malay House Form. (Yuan, 1987)

Photo 2.5: Brief of Traditional Malay House Features (Yuan,1987).

The following is the features of the house that are symmetry with the sustainability
outlines.
Roof part
Sustainability
features
Deep
overhangs of
roof

Pitch roof
made of
singgora
(clay) or
nipa(Nypa
fruticans)

Explanation
The roof overhangs protect the
user and the house from
excessive sunlight and heavy
rain.

The usage of singgora roof that

is sustainable and having
reflective properties that helps in
cooling the house.

Nipa roof is natural and widely

available in the region. It has
low thermal capacity and gives
good insulation against heat.

Image

Volumetric
loft and
openings in
the roof

The volumetric loft allows the warm air to rise up and opening allows
the fresh air to be into and out of the house optimally.

Wall part
Sustainability
features
Perforated
wooden wall
with louvres

Construction
without using
a single
screws

Door and
window
following the
ergonometrics

Explanation
The usage of wooden
wall is suitable for the
climate as it has low
thermal capacity and it
is widely available. The
perforated design of
wall is also helping in
movement of fresh air
The houses were built
using jointings (mortise
and tenon). It is able to
dismantle; making it
recycleable and avoid
wastage of materials
Fully openable
windows and door
allow the movement of
air at human level

Image

Floor part
Sustainability
features
Raised floor

Explanation

Image

Reduces the amount of

loss or damage during
flood. Thus, the house
stays longer and able
to withstand natural
disasters.

Raised floor of the house, view from

elevation
Natural wood
planks as the
flooring

Natural wood planks

are durable and
lightweight with low
thermal capacity.

Wood plank for flooring with gaps to allow

the movement of water
Reference:
1. Mohamad Rasdi , Mohamad Tajuddin and Mohd. Ali, Kamaruddin and Syed
Ariffin, Syed Ahmad Iskandar and Mohamad , Ra'alah and Mursib, Gurupiah (2005)
The Architectural Heritage of the Malay World The Traditional Houses. Penerbit
UTM.

2. Abdul Rahman, A., Petua Membina Rumah Melayu Dari Sudut Etnis Antropologi
[trans. Guide to Building Malay House from the Angle of Ethnic Anthropology], The
National Library Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 2000, 218 pp
3. Said, S., & Embi, M. (n.d.). A Parametric Shape Grammar of the Traditional Malay
Long- Roof Type Houses. International Journal of Architectural Computing, 06(02),
121-121.
4. Hassan, Z., & Harun, S. (n.d.). Preservation of Malay Singgora Roof. Procedia
Environmental Sciences, 729-738.