ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION

ISSUES & CHALLENGES OF THE CONSERVATIONOF BUILDINGS IN MALAYSIA

a b s t r a c t

Historical buildings fundamentally portrays the most distinctive aspect of the past history and

culture of the place.

Malaysia, has a rich heritage of historical buildings with fine craftsmanship and architectural

quality. These admirable historical features and legacy are formed by the past work of a man.

Hence it is vital to conserve and preserve historical buildings; as they are the asset to the

country that provides the sense of identity and continuity in our current fast changing world

for the future generations.

However, some of these historical buildings are at risk from defects and are not well taken

care; due to the insignificant public participation, environmental issues, technical issues,

poor financial support, and the rapid country development.

01

Introduction02

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03

The understanding towards the practice upon building conservation is still limited, even though Malaysia has numbered heritage buildings across the country. Hence, different meanings can be interpreted to describe building conservation in Malaysia, which is subject to the wrong perception of the public towards building conservation, that are strongly related to the issues and challenges by conservation in Malaysia.

01

Objective of study02

-

03

To improve understanding towards architectural conservation in Malaysia

01

02 To understand relationship between conservation and factors of issues & challenges

03

To propose solution for issues and challenges faced by conservation works in Malaysia

01

What is conservation?02

-

03 Retention of existing buildings (historic/heritage).01

02 Involves technical activities such as:

● Conserve(prevent) & preserve(prolong)● Restoration without alteration

01 General Issues Of The Heritage Conservation in Malaysia

02 Case Studies and Analysis

03 Questionnaire Regarding Public Awareness

RAW

DATA

Source from Kamal et.al, n.d.

ISSUES and CHALLENGES of heritage buildings in Malaysia

ISSUES and CHALLENGES of heritage buildings in Malaysia

01 Insignificant public participation

02 Environmental issues

03 Technical issues

04 Poor financial support

05 Rapid country development

01 Insignificant Public Participation

“Public Participation”: Process which an organization consults with interested individuals or government entities to prevent disputes.

THREATS• Lack of awareness• Lack of knowledge on importance of heritage conservation

ISSUES• Historical buildings not considered as heritage sites due to insignificant public participation.

SOLUTION • Educational institutions should cultivate the importance and spark the interest of heritage building conservation in students since young

Bok House, Kuala LumpurAn 80-year-old mansion in Jalan Ampang was nominated as heritage site but rejected and demolished due to insignificant public participation.

THREATS• Building on cliff• Unstable soil condition• Humid surrounding• Urbanized polluted surrounding

ISSUES• Deteriorate old heritage buildings

SOLUTION • Structure relocation

02 Environmental Issues

Queen Victoria Fountain, Merdeka SquareBuilt in 1904 in England and brought to Malaysia. Originally located near Pasar Seni but relocated to Merdeka Square. Interesting Art Nouveau tiles forms intricate art and sculptor work & design.

03 Technical Issues

THREATS• Identification of old buildings • Absence of important technical data• Collection of specific rare materials• Shortage of capable expertise and labour

ISSUES• Increase difficulty in dividing scope of work • Supply of materials and resources could not be determined accurately • Cause overall conservation progress to be laborious and time consuming• Shortage of original materials and experienced craftsmen reduce the authenticity of the heritage building

SOLUTION • Government should provide ample support to concerned authorities• Cultivate more talents in architecture conservation field

Balai Seni Negeri, KedahBuilt in 1912，the building has been gazetted under the Antiquities Act 1976 as National Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism under National Museum to conserve and preserve for the purpose as a one of the historical places and will be able to offer more as a tourist destination.

04 Poor Financial Support

THREATS• Poor financial support from government, NGO Badan Warisan Malaysia, and owners• Conservation project requires high material, labour, and maintenance cost

ISSUES• Underfinanced situation will lead to suspension of conservation project

SOLUTION • Heritage tourism could be the solution to the issue. As heritage tourism develops in high pace, higher financial support will be acquired from the tourism profit, which also solves most of the technical issues.

05 Rapid Country Development

THREATS• Traditional tangible and intangible elements are discarded and eliminated

ISSUES• Development pressure from infrastructure and real estate projects that requires demolition of heritage buildings

SOLUTION • Awareness campaign should be held constantly such as educative tour to visit heritage buildings helps cultivate passion and importance on building conservation.

• Public petitions with signature collection on heritage registration will help to designate heritage buildings as landmark and prevent demolition.

Pudu Prison, Kuala LumpurThe 115-year-old building’s 394m-long prison wall was brought down on June 21, 2010. The whole prison complex was then demolished in 2012 to make way for a mixed development project.

CASE STUDY EXAMPLE 1: KUALA LUMPUR CHINATOWN (KLC), PETALING STREET

Old heritage shophouses in Petaling Street, Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR CHINATOWN (KLC), PETALING STREETINT

RO

Rich in Oriental Culture and Heritage;

pre-war shophouses are embodied with olden South Chinese architectural styles and historical values.

These heritage shophouses document lives history in Malaysia.

Important to the cityscape of KL; as there is combination of old in the modern city of KL.

RAPID COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT ON THE HERITAGE SHOPHOUSES IN CHINATOWNISS

UES

MODIFIED• Lok Ann Hotel, Jalan Petaling; stopped operation to give way to the MRT project since 2008.

REPLACED• Replacement of old shophouse with tall building.

DETERIORATED• Lack of proper care on old shophouses, plants growing on walls and roofs.

01

1. Lack of proper care attention; as society are drawn to the new developments that enhances economic growth

2. Natural ageing process of building; no conservation. Buildings are redeveloped and modified; as pre-war shophouses do not serve high building efficiency and provision of high profit under the economic pressure today.

shophouses in KLC as of current day:

Deteriorated / Modified /

Replaced

Society is being drawn to new developments that enhances economic growth

Replacement of old shophouse with tall building

Lok Ann Hotel stopped operation to give way to new MRT development

Modern day society

New developments

(attracted)

High profit

TO BALANCE BUILDING HERITAGES AND RAPID DEVELOPMENTSPR

OPOS

ED PR

OCED

URES

+heritage buildings new rapid developments

1. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Federal and local government authorities and agencies to establish a responsible and manageable interpretation of heritage buildings in the phase of the present day ambitions in new developments.

2. IMPLEMENTATION

New developments to be built in harmony with local heritage buildings cultural and settlement layouts. If an urban reconstruction is to entail the relocation of an existing heritage building, the heritage value of the new site needs to be properly assessed; to avoid any irreversible losses.

+authorities to be responsible for conservation heritage new developments

CASE STUDY EXAMPLE 2: SULTAN ABDUL SAMAD BUILDING, KUALA LUMPUR

Exterior perspective of the heritage building; Sultan Abdul Samad building in Kuala Lumpur

RAPID COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT ON THE HERITAGE SHOPHOUSES IN CHINATOWNISS

UES

MODIFIED• Lok Ann Hotel, Jalan Petaling; stopped operation to give way to the MRT project since 2008.

REPLACED• Replacement of old shophouse with tall building.

DETERIORATED• Lack of proper care on old shophouses, plants growing on walls and roofs.

ISSUES and CHALLENGES

01 Lack of Financial Report

02 Lack of Priority

03 Lack of Guidelines

04 Lack of Technical Knowledge

05 Limitations

01 Lack of Financial Support

The Straits Times (2017) reported that the current fund for heritage buildings (including the Sultan Abdul Samad building) conservation is left with RM 100,000; while the request for an additional RM 150 million for heritage conservation was not granted. RM 255 million was instead spent on the beautification and upgrading works within the KL area.

This shows the negligence of the public towards past developments in comparison to initiatives towards later projects.

It was mentioned that the conservationists responsible failed to provide necessary measurements for the Sultan Abdul Samad building which led to the drop in priority.

01 Lack of Financial Support

Cracked walls

Growth of plants on roof

Abandoned; no proper care and

attention

River of Life projectSultan Abdul Samad building

River of life project worth RM255.5 million just to:

1. Upgrade water treatment system

2. Beautify riverside areas in heritage zone

Huge sums funding allocated to preserve heritage buildings are instead spent on new developments and beautification.

The Sultan Abdul Samad building is given little priority. If no action is taken in the coming years, the building may begin to deteriorate without the funds or personnel for maintenance. Without the building, the soul of Kuala Lumpur may be weakened to an unidentifiable state.

THREATS• Society is unkeen on conservation• Majority are driven towards new development • New developments have superseded the old

SOLUTION • Elaborate on public awareness

02 Lack of Priority

03 Lack of Guidelines

The lack of rules and guidelines when approaching conservation projects delay both the conservation itself as well as maintenance processes.

This is a clear indication that neither conservation nor preservation were of importance in the past. Unlike most developed countries, where historical buildings are treasured and preserved, our country has been too focused on catching up that we may lose our historical monuments; a clear example of losing one’s way in pursuit of another.

New developments are instead beginning to supersede historical ones, emphasizing on society’s negligence regarding this matter

04 Lack of Technical Knowledge

Lack of technical knowledge in coping with repairing and maintenance in historic buildings leads to the effectiveness and efficiency in the maintenance of historical buildings.

This includes the Sultan Abdul Samad building

05 Limitations

● INCOMPLETE RECORDINGS OF HISTORICAL EVENTS-E.g.: Hang Tuah Mausoleum

● ADAPTIVITY TO MODERN USE (SPECIFIC BUILDINGS)-E.g.: Religious buildings, monuments

● LEGISLATION AND PROCEDURES-E.g. : Rire regulations that prohibits restoration

● SURROUNDING HERITAGE CONTEXT-E.g. : Tree roots, river

Case Study Example 3:

THE BOK HOUSE, JALAN AMPANG

The Bok House, Jalan Ampang

- A mansion that features classical European architecture in Jalan Ampang.

- Design by Swan & Maclaren Architects (oldest architectural firm in Singapore.)

- Owned by a private trustee managed by the Bok family. - Complete construction at 1929.- In 1958, The front half of the house was converted into

the Le Coq D’or restaurant (French Restaurant)

INTRO

Chua Cheng Bok

- Founder of Cycle & Carriage

OWNE

R OF T

HE BU

ILDING

- Malaysia’s most prominent businessmen in the first half of the 20th century

- Philanthropist who made substantial charitable contributions to society

Renaissance-style architecture

Symmetrical around vertical axis at front facade

ARCH

ITECT

URE S

TYLE

Use of Roman/ Greek type columns

Flat ceiling

with imitation classical statues reigned supreme in itsfront hall.

AbundantVerandah and balconies. LO

CAL

ADAP

TATIO

N

- 2001 the house was abandoned by the operator of Le Coq d’Or- Due to its strategic location in city centre, the local conservation worry that the government will plan to

redeveloped the place. They try to convince the government that the historical value of the mansion however, December 15 2006, the mansion was demolished, resulting in public outcry.

DEMOLITION OF THE BOK HOUSE

ISSUES and CHALLENGES Lack of awareness and public participation

“Just a house belonging to a rich man.”

“The cost of rehabilitating Bok House will be high and there is no significant history or aesthetic value attached to the building”

“The Government could also not save Bok House from being demolished because it is privately-owned and not registered as a heritage building.”

By Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

Why is The Bok House significant?

TIMEL

INE-Complete construction and own by Bok family.

-During World War II, the Japanese requisitioned Bok House. It was occupied by the Yokohama Specie Bank.

-After the war, the British forces used the mansion to house its air force women. -It was subsequently returned to the family

- The front half of the house was converted into the famous Le Coq D’or restaurant (French Restaurant)-The Chua family continued to occupy the house in the rear quarters.

- Le Coq d'Or was closed. It was subsequently stripped of its furniture, fixtures,doors and windows.

-Badan Warisan Malaysia (BWM) proposed that Bok House be listed in the National Heritage Register. Bok House meets at least five of the criteria for declaration as a National Heritage.

-The building was demolished.

2017

W Hotel, Jalan Ampang

“Chua was the first to introduce a bus service to Kuala Lumpur before World War I. In fact, the rickshaw pullers of the city rioted because of the threat to their livelihood.”

By Historian Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim

"City Hall and the Ministry needs to relook at how to deal with the responsibility entrusted on them, and not give the wrong impression to owners that heritage conservation would obstruct development.”

PROP

OSED

PROC

EDUR

ES

By Council Member of Badan Warisan Malaysia, Lilian Tay

Continuous promotionby mass media

PUBL

IC ED

UCAT

ION CA

MPAIG

N

Seminars and workshops

Immerge of heritage building knowledge in Education institution

PUBL

IC ED

UCAT

ION CA

MPAIG

N

SUCCESSFUL CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE BUILDINGS

SUFFO

LK HO

USE,

PENA

NG

SUFFOLK HOUSE, PENANG

BRIEF

HIST

ORY

Captain Francis Light

- Known as the ‘Great House’ and it was the home for the early governors as it was used as place for many official and social events.

- 1790 built by the founder of the British Settlement of Penang, Captain Francis Light. (1740-1794)

- 1805 sold to W.E. Philips as it served as the Governor’s Residence for Philips and J.A. Bannerman. It served as a Government House from the year 1810 to 1820.

- Used as a canteen for the Methodist Boy’s School and later on abandoned.

- A campaign began in 1961 to restore the building

- House was left to ruins due to lack of interest in conservation

ARCH

ITECT

URE - The original house that Light built was a simple timber structure of an atap roof.

- The house was rebuilt between 1808 to 1811 and its design was based on Anglo- Indian Georgian Architecture.

- Materials were imported from India and Burma through the East Indian Company trade routes.

- The building has a symmetrical plan with a strong central axis and an open collonnade on the first floor with a regular

column grid.

REST

ORAT

ION - Survey was conducted in 1993 by the Penang Heritage Trust

and due to its bad condition

- Scaffoldings were placed around walls and a roof as

temporary protection from the weather.

- In the year 2000, the Penang State Government allocated

RM500 000 for restoration works

- With more funding from the HSBC Bank and The Penang

Heritage Trust, the restoration was completed in June 2007.

- To help with the restoration of the Suffolks House, paintings

between 1811 and 1818 were used.

- The building was restored using its original materials as well

as the colour, texture, design, workmanship and setting.

ISSUE

S AND

CHAL

LENG

ES- Lacked skilled and experienced workers in the field of

conservation but after some time, workers gained additional

knowledge and understanding about heritage conservation.

- Difficulty of getting the original materials as most of the

materials used in the construction of the building could only

be found overseas.

- For example, the clay roof tiles had to be imported from

China.

01 Conclusion

02

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03

The results of the study indicated that issues and challenges in building conservation work, which are mentioned above are due to the poor availability of conservation knowledge, that has a direct linkage to the insufficiency of support from Government sector. However, building conservation is a multi-disciplinary field, which involves professionals such as architects, engineers, historians, archaeologists, chemists and environmentalists. In order to achieve higher efficiency in conservation, more efforts should be undertaken by all sectors to educate the public about heritage conservation, especially institutions which are more effective in impacting the following generation.

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https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/beritamalaysia/conversations/topics/88247http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2006/06/16/move-to-keep-bok-house/#pTvoX1zCv77uO5dc

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2006/12/23/historian-bok-house-important-part-of-kls-history/.99

http://www.thesundaily.my/node/171813

https://eprints.qut.edu.au/91544/1/Miljenka_Perovic_Thesis.pdf

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877705811029468

https://ac.els-cdn.com/S1877042813020934/1-s2.0-S1877042813020934-main.pdf?_tid=11034de8-b3fa-11e7-b14f-00000aab0f27&acdnat=1508327406_012d25b0baea8fa7b4306964d40b6102

Harun, N. (n.d.). The Restoration of Suffolk House, Penang, Malaysia. Retrieved October 24, 2017, from http://www.academia.edu/6035441/The_Restoration_of_Suffolk_House_Penang_Malaysia

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Reference Link