by Sukhjit Sidhu

Prior Merdeka Post Independence Architecture

Malaysian Architectural IdentityModern RevivalismMetaphorMachine FunctionalismModernistic ExpressionismModern Primitive Regionalism

MALAYSIA - MODERN ARCHITECTURAL IDENTITY

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 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 architecturalproduct 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 buildingMachine aesthetic expressing the beauty of structure, mechanical featuresbuild a passive design shelter in response to the local climate

Example :Menara Mesiniaga, Sabah Foundation etc.

Mesiniaga Tower, Subang Jaya

MACHINE FUNCTIONALISMSabah Foundation, Kota KinabaluUniversity Petronas, PerakGuthrie 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 Natures children.

PRIMITIVE REGIONALISMThe Datai, Langkawi Batang Ai Hilton, Sarawak

PRIMITIVE REGIONALISMPrivate residence, Selangor Pangkor Laut, Perak

Traditional malay revivalismOne of the earliest responses to the governments call to project a national architectural identity was the proliferation of pseudo-traditional Malay architecture.

REVIVALISMOne of the most popular approach to represent national architectural identity.Its easily understood by architect, clients and user.Continuity from the past architectural heritageAlso 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,

REVIVALISMKota Darul Naim, Kota BharuKampung laut mosque, Tumpat

REVIVALISMTerengganu State MuseumMualat 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

METAPHORIstana Budaya, National TheatreTapak Sireh (betel container)National Library, Kuala LumpurTengkolok (malay headress)

MALAYSIA - MODERN ARCHITECTURAL IDENTITY - METAPHORSunway Pyramid, Subang JayaPutrajaya International Convention CentreTelekom Tower, Kuala LumpurTelekoms BuildingPucuk 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 alwaysstructuralised

MODERNISTIC EXPRESSIONISMNew creativity progressive. Base on the ideas or modernismExpressing 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 EXPRESSIONISMMasjid NegaraPusat Bandar Damansara, PJ

MODERNISTIC EXPRESSIONISMParliament House Condominium Block, Bangsar

MALAYSIAN IDENTITY: THE WAYFORWARD??

Brutalist - Roman grandeur of triumphal arches, domed administrative structures with, of course, triple the scale of their precedence.*Pompiduo center paris*Hong kong shanghai bank*Peter einsmen houses***