Asian Architecture

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA)

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture) Module: ASIAN ARCHITECTURE [ARC 2234/ ARC60403] SCHOOL OF

ARCHITECTURE , BULDING & DESIGN

ASIAN ARCHITECTURE [ARC2234]

Project 1: CASE STUDY PAPER

Research Title: The Adaptation of Malaysia Traditional Vernacular Architecture of Kutai

House into design of tourism resort, Kampung House Villa, Belum Rainforest Resort (BRR)

NAME: CELINE TAN JEAN INNID: 0303669SEM 4/ MARCH INTAKE 2014Tutor: Ms. IDA MAZLAN

The Adaptation Of Malay Traditional Vernacular Architecture of Kutai House into

design of Tourism Resort, kampong House Villa, Belum Rainforest Resort(BRR)

Paper Title

Table of Contents Page

Abstract............................................................................................................................1

1.0 Introduction.......................................................................................................1

2.0 Content 1...........................................................................................................2

2.1 Subtopic 1......................................................................................................2

3.0 Content 2...............................................................................................................2

4.0 Content 3...............................................................................................................2

5.0 Conclusion.............................................................................................................2

6.0 References.............................................................................................................2

7.0 Appendix………………………………………………………………………………….

Abstract

Malay Vernacular Architecture meaning a building design with

deep understanding of culture and religion belief with respect for

nature. Lately, the cultural values of Malaysia have been

promoted as one of attraction by integrating the Malay vernacular

House into the design of villa/resort. The aim of the analysis is to

understand significance features that influences the design of

Kutai House in Perak and also identify the ways of architecture

integrated traditional ways of vernacular features such as spatial

layout, material, construction and environment values into design

of tourism resort, Kampung House Villa in Belum Rainforest

Resort(BRR). Significance features of traditional Malay houses are

elevated building by timber with a post and lintel structure in

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture 2



order to ensemble tropical climate and nails are exception and

roofs with long gable end are typically steep and have wide

overhangs. The design of Kampung House Villa has adapted

cultural and religion beliefs as the spatial organization of Malay

house holds three main zone such as Serambi, Rumah Ibu, Rumah

Dapur which potentially created a public, semi-public and private

spaces in the house. Nevertheless, in Kampung house Villa able to

have physically and emotionally experience back to traditional

where the interior finishes are made from timber and wood as

main and also located the villa close to the environment. The

study concludes the potential well-adaptation of socio-cultural in

tourism industry once successfully integrated into the design of

future resorts.

1.0 Introduction

Cultural Tourism play an important role in Tourism Industry to attract visitors

from various countries. In the era of modernization, ‘Negara Sedang Membangun”, a

developing country such as Malaysia has given less attention to revitalization of cultural

heritages to the design of Malay house layouts and spaces during the fundamental

design of Hotel and Resorts in order to enhance the concept of cultural tourism and

efficiently involved the Malay living life-style, characteristic and belief of locals are

significant role towards promoting cultural tourism industry. ‘Traditional’ literally means

time of the past and primary intention. Meanwhile, ‘Vernacular’ is an interpretation of

specific place that responds to local functional requirements, stylistic elements of their

culture for aesthetic purposes in an architectural way. Therefore, this research will

study the significance, culture and construction method of Kutai House in Perak and

the adaptation of Kampung House Villa in terms of house layout and experiences that

bring back to Malay Identity. The findings provide a comparison the core of Kutai

House to the layout design of the resort where limitation and circumstances of needs

being considered.

This paper will investigate the adaptation of Malay Traditional Vernacular Architecture

of Kutai House into design of Tourism Resort, Kampong House Villa, Belum Rainforest

Resort(BRR) by responding to the following research questions:




Question1: How effective the integration of Kampung House Villa in Belum Rainforest

Resort(BRR) from Kutai House in order to attract tourist and giving understanding of

Malay culture lifestyle?

Question 2: Does the design strategies of kampong House Villa in BRR responds to

traditional Malay House, Kutai House?

Question 3: As the space used for resort is differ from Kutai House, explain the space

that selected/used in Kampung House Villa and the functionality of the space back to

traditional house.

Question 4: How does Kampung Huse Villa apply beliefs and custom in built

environment that has been followed by traditional Malays House in the past?

2.0 Research Framework

Primary data were obtained from online resources material, PERAK

MALAY(KUTAI) ARCHITECTURE (Ariffin, M. N., & Talib, A., 2008) ,published material

The Architectural Heritage of Malay World(2005). The study area for the Kutai house

specifically by the banks of the Perak River. The review of original identity Kutai House

is extracted from the display at Taman Mini Malaysia/ ASEAN Di Melaka. After

reviewing the image, significance features of Kutai House is documented.

The research framework of this study is divided into 3 categories, which are as follows:

Analysis and study the identity of Kutai House

Analysis of Contemporary Resort, Kampung House Villa, Belum Rainforest

Resort in Perak.

Comparison the layout of design and functionality




3.0 Kutai House, Perak

Malaysia is a tropical country with hot and humid climate and people living with

different races. Malay, stands high majority among 4 different major ethics (Malay,

Chinese, Indian and others) and their unique identity in culture, way of living are

playing an important role in promoting cultural tourism. When the research area

specifically focus on Perak, the traditional Malay House is known as ‘Rumah Kutai'

means old. Kutai House located by the banks of the Perak River which can easily find it

in the Central District, Lower Perak and Kuala Kangsar. The Rumah Kutai is gradually

diminished from cultural landscape of Malaysia whereby it has replaced by new

dwelling scheme in the typology of Malaysia. However, “Kutai” language has influenced

the architectural expression, form and meaning in the design of Kampung House

Villa,Belum Rainforest Resort.

Figure 1: The Kutai House, Perak [Source: UPM edu. ,2013]




3.1 Design Strategies

3.1.1 Spatial Layout

The interior spatial organization of Kutai house embraces a relationship

between the functionality requirements and the cultural inputs. The orientation of

traditional malay houses are mostly face to Mecca(in East-West direction) for religious

reason. But in architectural way, East-West orientation is to minimize the areas

exposed to sunlight penetration meanwhile North-East and South-West are the wind

patterns in Malaysia.

The Kutai House consists of Rumah Ibu, Anjung and Beranda that bring which

create different important role in Malay house privacy in the division of private, semi-

private and public area. This level of privacy given the Malay House layout design

divided into two main zones, front(public) and back(private) area. Public space such as

Beranda is an additional space to the entrance area that used in Kutai House where

given more privacy to owners without having to go in. Furthermore, Anjung is a semi-

private space for male entrance where a space for owner greets and treats the guests.

The rumah ibu (the core of the house) is a private space where occupants meeting,

praying, reading and sleeping take place in this area.

Figure 2: spatial organisation in a typical plan of Kutai House [Source: by

Author]

3.1.2 ClimateARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture 6

Seranti

Rumah Ibu Bilik

Beranda Anjung



Benefits of thermal, functionality and safety has given the results of uniqueness

in Kutai house. Furthermore, the high temperature, solar radiation, glare and humidity

are main climatic stress that happened in Malaysia. In climatic approach, the design

strategies and form for the traditional Malay House is affected by three climatic factors:

• Rain

• Wind

• Sun

In order to achieve one’s thermal comfort in the shelter, ‘Bumbung Perak’, roof

space is well ventilated by exposed of roof construction to allow wider air movement

into the house. Besides, the responsive design of gable ends also has ventilation

panels and gaps which invite air to ventilate into roof space and cool the house.

[Figure]

Figure 3: Ventilation Openings in the Roof of Traditional Malay House

(KALAM,1986).

Large overhangs is one of the significance features in Kutai house which provide a

protection against rain, sun light penetration and allow the opening(windows) remain

open most of the time.

Moreover, the humid climate with monsoon rain all over the years causes the

total rainfall up to 250mm on April, October, November and December [Graph].

Therefore, the raised floor has benefit avoid flood enter to shelter whereas during non-

raining day, the underneath space act as a place for livestock, clothes-drying area

during rainy season and wood storage area.




[Graph 1] The average rainfall and temperature in Ipoh, Malaysia. [Source: World-

Climate.com]

Large opening such as window and doors are the main features for ventilation

at human body level and also façade decorative elements. Window characteristics in

Kutai House are having full length operable window to create high air intakes outsides

to reduce the performance of the stack effect. While wood craving, Tebar layar,used

for window panels to allow air passage and reduce glare.

Figure 4 : Climatic Design of Malay House (Source: Yuan,1987)




3.1.3 Material

3.1.3.1 Structural Components

The Kutai House is different from other traditional house, which prefer main

materials used are wood and bamboo. Planks of Cengal trees (Neobalanocarpus

heimii)is a type of hardwood that usually used for the posts and roof framework whilst

the walls while nails are exception. The timber post is constructed on concrete footing

without any foundation required (Yuan,1987). The structural components for a Kutai

House consist of Floor joist and Roof Girders. The advantages of these prefabricated

construction methods are the flexibility to assemble and reassembled each component

in different area.

Figure 5: Basic Construction Methods of malay House. (Yuan,1987)

3.1.3.2 Non-Structural Components

Window, floor panels, walls, stairs, roof fitted between the frames are listed

under non-structural components. The floor panel finishes by timber planks with gaps

in between allow the flow of wind to minimize interior temperature compare to exterior.

Besides, it’s functionality is responds to house-wives daily cleaning such as sweeping

and cleaning or for religious essentials (cleaning the family’s member deceased)

[Figure].




Figure 6: Timber Planks with gaps on floor joist construction.[Source:

UPM edu. ,2013]

Besides, the strategy to prevent warm heat in building comes out with solution

of using local natural material, ‘attap’ which made of woven palm leaves. The

advantages of using attap as roof finishes is that it is good insulator and also water-

resistant. The construction technique of woven the palm leaves around rattan sticks

and bound together to form a ‘tile’ are able to prevent heat of sun penetrates through

the roof and force of tropical storm during rain fall.

4.0 Cultural Tourism

Tradition, History and Custom of different countries, climatic season in different

regions, business and other factors cause one to travel to a country. The attractions of

particular place will be a main factors for a travellers to come. However, there are

different type of traveller such as to travel for a recreation, as a cultural tourist, leisure

or business purposes. Malay traditional culture has become one of the attraction for

cultural tourism where giving the opportunity for traveller to explore, experience and

understand the Malay cultural attributes. Therefore, hotel or resort has great potential

to re-adapt and reflect the accents of traditional Malay House and living lifestyle in




architectural way.

Figure 7: Cultural Toursim

4.1 Analytical Review of Kampung House Villa, Belum Rainforest Resort

The study will focus on socio-cultural values that has readapted Perak traditional

house, Kutai House into the design of a resort, Kampung House Villa, Belum

Rainforest Resort, Perak. The study will conclude with a comparison between Kutai

House and Kampung House Villa with provide a new insight for future designs of resort

in order to promote and improve Malaysia cultural tourism industry at the same time

attract more cultural tourists to travel.

4.1.1 Kampung House Villa, Belum Rainforest Resort

“The Belum Rainforest Resort is one of Malaysia's premier ecotourism holiday

destinations. Set in the midst of a tropical paradise, Pulau Banding, the Belum

Rainforest Resort, is everything nature-lovers and holiday-goers expect in a getaway

destination: complete relaxation and serenity, stunning views and surroundings,

adventure, and the chance to get close to nature.”

Belum Rainforest Resort

Kampung House Villa is one of the new accommodations in Fasa 2 that just

finished constructed in 2013. It is located at end of hill slope and near to man-

made Temonggor Lake. The architectural style of this resort is postmodern

vernacular which combination of modern and traditional Malay vernacular style. ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture 11



The resort design and organised in order to reflect the values of Kutai House by

adapting the cultural and construction in the design. The study specifies that

several features of Kutai House has applied in the design of resort,

nonetheless, the open space layout and multi-functional such as Rumah Ibu are

not integrated in design for a resort whereas the design is based on it necessity

rather than reflecting the original culture of Malay community.

Figure 8: Perspective View to Kampung House Villa [Source: by Author]

4.2 Design Strategies

4.2.1 Spatial layout

Due to the functionality and requirement for designing a resort, Kampung

House Villa has adapted the level of privacy and composition of space in Kutai House

by rearranged the flow of sequence of space from public space, Beranda to semi-

private, Anjung and private space, Rumah Ibu. Kampung House Villa is raised

1.2meter from the ground level which playing with the height of space not only to give

user a better visual sensation to environment but a concept readapted from Kutai

House which to avoid flood occurred to the spaces.

The floor plan below shows that the steps entrances, Beranda lead one to the

deck after dining area, Anjung which attract by the open layout of space to environment

and Temenggor Lake. This area is where user and family are served and

communicate. The dining area is remaining openness from the entrance to the deck

which a concept readapted from Kutai House, openness to invite air ventilation of

interior to achieve high thermal comfort. [Figure]

The similarities between spatial organisation of Kutai House and Kampung

House Villa are the separation of spaces. The spaces still remained the same

functionality that found in Kutai House. The Beranda, steps of staircase before enter to

the house is a space create for visitor without enter in the house. It has adapted the

uniqueness feature of Kutai House of this additional space for user to have short ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture 12



conversation when visitor is not invited in. Instead of having similar spatial organisation

of Kutai House, certain modification is made to suit the necessity.

Figure 9: Floor Plan of Kampung House villa(Source: BelumResort,2014)

. Anjung,is semi-private space for male to greet their guests and meeting which

know as communication zone. The dining area has adapted the traditional concept of

Anjung as interaction purpose. Besides, the traditional malay feast is laid down on the

floor while foods will be served at the same time, therefore, an openness deck is create

in front of dining area for user to experience and tradisional malay feast that still

practices until now at the same time enjoy the wellness to environment.[Figure]

Rumah Ibu, is private spaces where visitor without being invited are not allow to

enter the space. In Kutai house, this space is for reading, praying and for female to

carry their activities. Instead of inviting guest to bedroom, the guest are most probably

led to dining area, Anjung. In Kampung House Villa, the rumah ibu has being modified

as the bedroom where categorised in private space. The room are surrounded with wall

length adjustable window panel which allow view from interior to exterior greenery and

invite the natural ventilation take place in the space. These giving the similar quality

experience in Kutai House.[Figure]


Beranda

Rumah Ibu Rumah Ibu

Anjung



Figure 10 : The bedroom of Kampung House Villa.[Source: by Author]

Figure 11: The dining area of Kampung House Villa [Source: by Author]




Figure 12: Openness from the Entrance to Dining Area [Source: by Author]

Figure 13: Timber Structural Components of Kampung House Villa. [Source: by

Author]




Moreover, the choices of material are remain the concept of timber as structural

components. The Kampung House Villa was constructed with A standard hardwood as

frame structure and steel joint to enhance the building. In terms of details, the design

using combination of wire core in a row and joint place next t timber structure, instead

of using fluorescence light, hanging light bulb as the only light source in bedroom

during the night brings back the nostalgia feels of Malay people staying in kampong

house. The adjustable window panel allow more natural ventilation and natural light

into the room which responds to the concepts of Kutai House.

Figure 14: The details of light switch of Kampung House Villa. [Source: by

Author]

Traditional Kutai House Adoptation in Kampung House Villa, Belum

Characteristic Rainforest Resort

Table 1: Comparison between traditional Kutai House and Kampung House Villa

in terms of characteristic that Kampung House Villa has adopted. [Source: by

Author]


Climate adoption Usage of wood as low thermal and large opening

Raised on slits /

Natural building material Extensive usage of timber and long roof Post and Lintel structure /

Large Opening Using adjustable door panel as window opening

Craving and decorative elements X

Multifunctional Space Spaces are divided into public and private for certain usage(Public-walkway Private-Bedroom/Bathroom)

Bathroom Facilities bathroom is allocated inside with modern bathtub unlike the Malay House.

Open roof to structure X



5.0 Conclusion

Due to the distributions of Pre-War Building in Selected States in Malaysia

[Table], the number of heritage elements, historic sites, building and unique local

cultures in Perak stand 16.1% with 3351 number of Pre-War Building. Nevertheless,

Perak is a second state that remain the heritage and appreciate the value of it which

would play as an important role to attract traveller to the site.

Based on the analytical study and observation, it is clearly illustrated that due to

requirements and limitation for designing a resort with adaptation of traditional Malay

culture, the cultural values of Malay such as craving and decorative elements in the

façade and house interior does not respond in the building whereas Kampung House

Villa is more concerned on the physical characteristics and the concept of malay

vernacular architecture. Therefore, Malay culture has started being adopted in design

and development of resorts nowaday in Perak such as the usage of timber as structural

components, elevated from ground level, openness for ventilation and planks of timber

with gap for air passage. Thus, the essence of Malay House is encourage revitalizing

and modified the need and values in the future design of resorts.

As the nutshell, Malay has the custom and belief that well-reflected in the design of

Kutai House, hence, the concept of openness, simplicity, functionality, multifunctional,

and family core has to be utilized and develop in contemporary architecture has to be

practiced in future design of resort.




6.0 References

1. The architectural heritage of the Malay world: the traditional houses. (2005).

Skudai, Johor Darul Ta'zim: Penerbit Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

2. Yuan, L. J. (1987). The Malay House : Rediscovering Malaysia’s Indigenous

Shelter System, Penang: Institut Maysarakat.

3. Sahabuddin, F. (N.D.) Chapter 2: Malaysian Vernacular Architecture and Its

Relationship to Climate. (n.d.). Academia.edu. Retrieved June 12, 2014, from

http://www.academia.edu/2377416/Chapter_2_Malaysian_Vernacular_Architecture

_and_Its_Relationship_to_Climate

4. Traditional Chalet | Kampung House | Malaysia Accommodations | Belum

Rainforest Resort. (n.d.).Traditional Chalet | Kampung House | Malaysia

Accommodations | Belum Rainforest Resort. Retrieved June 12, 2014, from

http://www.belumresort.com/acco_kampung_house.html

5. Juferi. E. Noor (n.d.). . Retrieved June 12, 2014, from

http://www.upm.edu.my/berita/details/rumahlamaperakbi?LANG=en


http://www.upm.edu.my/berita/details/rumahlamaperakbi?LANG=en

http://www.belumresort.com/acco_kampung_house.html

http://www.academia.edu/2377416/Chapter_2_Malaysian_Vernacular_Architecture_and_Its_Relationship_to_Climate

http://www.academia.edu/2377416/Chapter_2_Malaysian_Vernacular_Architecture_and_Its_Relationship_to_Climate



7.0 Appendix

Figure 1:The Kutai House, Perak [Source: UPM edu. ,2013]Figure 2: spatial organisation in a typical plan of Kutai House [Source: by Author]

Figure 3: Ventilation Openings in the Roof of Traditional Malay House (KALAM,1986).

[Graph 1] The average rainfall and temperature in Ipoh, Malaysia. [Source: World-

climate.com]

Figure 4 : Climatic Design of Malay House (Source: Yuan,1987)

Figure 5: Basic Construction Methods of malay House. (Yuan,1987)

Figure 6: Timber Planks with gaps on floor joist construction.[Source: UPM edu. ,2013]

Figure 7: Cultural Toursim

Figure 8: Perspective View to Kampung House Villa [Source: by Author]

Figure 9: Floor Plan of Kampung House villa(Source: BelumResort,2014)

Figure 10 : The bedroom of Kampung House Villa.[Source: by Author]

Figure 11: The dining area of Kampung House Villa [Source: by Author]

Figure 12: Openness from the Entrance to Dining Area [Source: by Author]

Figure 13: Timber Structural Components of Kampung House Villa. [Source: by Author]

Figure 14: The details of light switch of Kampung House Villa. [Source: by Author]

Table 1: Comparison between traditional Kutai House and Kampung House Villa in

terms of characteristic that Kampung House Villa has adopted. [Source: by Author]


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