Malaysian Architecture

Malaysia’s year-round tropical climate is consistently high in temperatures, humidities, and rainfall. Various tropical and swamp forests comprise most of the country’s ecological regions. Peninsular Malaysia’s topography is flat coastal plains on the East, West, and South. A series of mountain ranges run north to south in the northern and north-central regions. The most prominent of these is the Main Range. In East Malaysia, flat, swampy plains run along the western coastlines of Sarawak and become more indented when they reach Sabah. Moving eastward, Sarawak’s inland features irregular hills and valleys and a mountainous border separating Malaysia and Kalimantan. Sabah’s inland area mainly consists of tropical rainforests, and its central mountain range sits closer to its western coastline. Draw a map of Malaysia with its topographical features OR print out this blank map and label Malaysia’s topographical features.

The Malay house (Kampung) is a typical example of traditional Malaysian vernacular architecture. The characteristics and typologies of these houses vary from state to state, but standard features remain in response to Malaysian climate, Malay culture, and Islamic religious principles.

These houses, usually made with local materials from the surrounding tropical rainforests, use timber for building structures, tree roots, rattan for tying connecting joints, and bamboo and leaves for flooring and walls. Due to the possibility of flooding from heavy monsoon rainfalls, they often have pitched (usually gable or hip) roofs raised on stilts above ground. High ceilings, larger side openings, grilles, and stilts help with ventilation in the warm, humid climate. Verandahs or porches are also present at the front of the house.

Activity: Follow this tutorial to make your own traditional Malay house from cardboard. Upload a photo of your finished house to the gallery.

Throughout history, colonization by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, as well as migrations from China, have all left a mark on the styles of architecture in Malaysia. These influences are adopted and altered to suit the country’s climate and existing landscape, leading to the traces of colonial architecture we see today. Some early typologies for colonial buildings include defense forts and collection warehouses for local products (e.g., minerals and sources). New materials such as bricks, metal roofs, and stucco-plastered walls also introduced new styles, allowing for more durable buildings.

The Baba Nyonya( (or Sino-Portuguese; Chinese Baroque) shophouses are examples of Malaysian colonial architecture combining Asian and European architectural styles. Despite the changes in material use and decorative styles overtime, its identifying characteristics include: Overhanging pitch roofs. Continuous rows of windows and shutters at a higher level. The use of pilasters. An open interior plan.

Activity: Draw a row of Baba Nyonya shophouses and paint them with watercolors! Upload the finished drawings to the gallery.

Malaysia activated Western modernist styles of architecture after its independence in the 1950s. The country viewed modernism as a representative standard suited for an aspiring new nation. Industrial construction materials, simple geometric forms, and little to no ornamentation began to appear in Malaysian buildings; an evident example of such influence is the Malaysian Parliament House, which took inspiration from Le Corbusier’s egg-crate style façades. Developing cities like Kuala Lumpur embraced these architectural characteristics to solve the high land costs.

Hijjas Kasturi is a notable architect who pioneered modernist architecture in Southeast Asia. He is known for using modern solutions to reinterpret traditional designs. His many building projects in Kuala Lumpur, the Telekom Tower, and Maybank Tower defined the city’s architectural landscape. Research Kasturi and his buildings, pick your favorite modernistic design, and sketch it!

With its wide range of architectural landmarks, Malaysia has quite a few renowned buildings you may have heard of. The most recent, the Merdeka 118 building, is the second tallest in the world, at 678.9 m (2227.4 ft). A pointed spire tops the tower, whose façade consists of triangular glass panes inspired by patterns found in Malaysian arts and crafts. The Petronas Twin Towers, designed in 1992 by Cesar Pelli for the Petronas headquarters and other associated companies, is arguably one of the most iconic landmarks in the country. Standing 451.9 m (1483 ft), it was once the world’s tallest building (from 1996 to 2003). The buildings feature ​​eight-lobed circular structures topped with steel spires on pyramid-shaped pinnacles. The 88-floor towers are made of reinforced concrete, and the steel and glass facades resemble motifs found in Islamic art, a reflection of Malaysia’s Muslim religion. A skybridge linking the two towers on the 41st and 42nd floors.

Draw/sketch either the Merdeka 118 or the Petronas Twin Towers and upload it to the gallery!

Muslim, Chinese Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity Mosques, Temples, Churches Many of Malaysia’s religious architecture includes various influences from different typologies and architectural styles

Malaysia today is a predominantly Muslim country. However, a large population still practices other religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, etc. Over centuries, Malaysia has built various religious structures, and migrating laborers, merchants, and settlers have brought their spiritual practices. Just within Kuala Lumpur alone, you can find mosques, churches, Buddhist and Hindu temples in one city! Similar to the other categories of architecture, you will see external influences in architectural language, typologies, and styles from different countries of origin blended in Malaysia’s religious buildings.

Activity: Pick a religion you are interested in and look at its architecture in Malaysia. Did you notice any influences from other countries?

The modernist styles in Western architecture actualized in Malaysia after its independence in the 1950s, as it viewed modernism as a representative standard suited for an aspiring new nation. Industrial construction materials, simple geometric forms, and little to no ornamentation began to appear in Malaysian buildings; an evident example of such influence is the Malaysian Parliament House, which took inspiration from Le Corbusier’s egg-crate style façades. Developing cities like Kuala Lumpur embraced these architectural characteristics to solve the high land costs.

Hijjas Kasturi is a notable architect who pioneered modernist architecture in Southeast Asia. He is known for using modern solutions to reinterpret traditional designs. His many building projects in Kuala Lumpur, the Telekom Tower, and Maybank Tower defined the city’s architectural landscape.

Activity: Research Kasturi and his buildings, pick your favorite to sketch

In the 1980s, postmodern architectural styles entered Malaysia. Returning graduates, eager to showcase what they had learned from the West, shared features such as high pediments, square pierced windows, and neoclassical-style keystone arches. Today, many of the country’s most influential architecture (government buildings, banks, mosques, and houses) incorporate postmodern elements.

The idea for regional architecture stemmed from a growing distaste towards the banalities of modern architecture in Malaysia during the eighties. A solution for this was to combine the elements of traditional Malay buildings, which had slight variations in each state’s respective residential designs, with modern construction materials.

This architectural style was heavily adopted in the resorts and housing industries and often appears as detached chalet-style buildings connected in remote, natural environments. Other standard features include hip or gable roofs in a color that blends in with the surrounding region, concrete façades and hoods, and glass aluminum windows; the Berjaya Hotel in Langkawi is a typical example.

Please look at other island resorts in Malaysia, note the features listed above, and any other common elements you see among them.

Pseudo-nouveau architecture does not come from a new style but from Malaysian architects who continuously follow Western architectural trends since it is associated with the “modern architecture movement” that clients often desire. It labels an eclectic combination of different Western styles, whether a mix of minimalist and regional elements or regional and postmodern, that have taken over Malaysia’s inflating residential landscape.

Framed aluminum windows, façades decorated with strips of horizontal elements, and gable roofs with concrete pantiles are all standard features in this style. Another exciting detail about residential and retail architecture falling under the pseudo-nouveau type is their use of Western names, which critics believe is further undermining local and regional identity; some examples are the Queensbay and Paragon malls or the East Bank Residences.

Research some of Malaysia’s residential architecture (homes, apartments, etc). Do you recognize some of the architectural styles mentioned in the previous activities?

• Malaysia is a tropical country, with year round high temperatures, high humidity, and heavy rainfall.
  • True
  • False
• The Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia are currently the second tallest building in the world.
  • True
  • False
• Traditional Malay houses are built on stilts to allow better views of the natural scenery.
  • True
  • False
• Colonial architecture helped introduce new construction materials to create more durable buildings
  • True
  • False
• As Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, mosques are the only type of religious architecture you will find.
  • True
  • False
• Malaysia began adopting modernist characteristics in its buildings because they wanted to represent a new, independent nation.
  • True
  • False
• Regional architecture was adopted heavily by Malaysia’s retail industry
  • True
  • False
• A lot of Malaysian architecture combines different existing architectural styles.
  • True
  • False