ARCHITECTURE CULTURE AND HISTORY 2 [ARC1323]

Architecture Heritage Building Analysis Old Victoria Institution

Team Members:
Arif Zakwan Bin Abdul Hamid Irdinah Farhanah Binti Mohamed Elias Nur Fazlin Binti Zulkifli Mohammad Syarulnizam Bin Mohd Nasir 0303736 0304737 0303613 0302549

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Map of Old Kuala Lumpur. Location of Old Victoria Institution along Jalan Tun H. S. Lee

The Old Victoria Institution is located along Jalan Tun H.S. Lee in the heart of Old Kuala Lumpur. Currently, the Old Victoria Institution building is utilized as a culture house. This place, now known as Taman Budaya, was established in 2005 after three years of rebuilding since 28th of October 2002 and the cost of rebuilding the structure into a culture house was approximately eight million Ringgit Malaysia. Initially, Old Victoria Institution was an English boys school. It was dubbed Victoria Institution in commemoration of Queen Victoria then. The architect of the building, A. C. Norman who was working at the Department of Public Works, used an architectural style known as Victorian English Cottage as his inspiration for the Old Victoria Institution.

The institution was established due to a need to set up an English school in Kuala Lumpur to rival the highly acclaimed Raffles Institution in Singapore. A stone was placed on site on 14th August 1893, which was officiated by Lady William Hood who was the spouse of Sir William Hood Treacher. Sir William was the first British resident in Selangor. The institution was then officially opened on 3rd July 1984 and principal, Mr. Bennett Eyre Shaw, led the school.

Foundation Stone

Victoria Institution stood strong as an educational institution with various achievements and expansions. On 28th March 1929, a new curriculum was introduced where drama and debate were two extra curricular activities that were placed much emphasis on. During the same year, Victoria Institution was relocated to Petaling Hill and the building was occupied by The Technical Institute of Kuala Lumpur before being replaced by High Street School in the 1950s.

Arts and culture became more apparent between 1970s and 1980s especially in the fields of theatre and dance. The Old Victoria Institution building became a practice center and a place for gathering for performances of arts and culture. During the 1980s, Taman Budaya, also known as Panggung Drama or Pusat Seni was officiated by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) where an array of cultural and arts activities were held at the Old Victoria Institution building till today.

CONTEXTUAL CONDITION
The rapid economic development of Selangor following the establishment of the British Protectorate in 1874 created a growing demand for English education. Consequently, a Government English School was established in 1890. However, it was soon found to be inadequate. As its name suggests, the Old Victoria Institution is a memorial school. Towards the end of the 19th century, demand for English education made by a group of prominent spirited citizens such as Towkay Loke Yew, Captain China Yap Kwan Seng, and Thamboosamy Pillay eventually led to the founding of the Old Victoria Institution. The institute was built in 1893 with the help of British Resident, Sir William Hood Treacher and with funds donated by The Sultan of Selangor, H.H. Abdul Samad.

It was unusual, as it was neither a denominational nor government school. Part of the funding came from donations and the rest from the balance of the Queens Jubilee Fund in 1887, hence the schools name. Designed by AC Norman, the building was based on an English cottage, half-brick and half-timber, with Gothic features. The lower floor, which was originally a playground, has Gothic arches. The upper floor housed three classrooms that were interconnected by arches. Part of the original verandah above this lower floor can still be seen at the back of the building. Although the school fronted High Street, its main entrance was actually on the north side. Above this entrance was a gable on which were mounted the royal coat of arms and the date of the School's foundation - 1893. A long curving porch covered the entrance steps.

In 1929, owing to lack of space and its flood-prone location, the school moved to a new premise on Petaling Hill, now Jalan Hang Tuah, where it still stands today. The original foundation plate is today affixed to the front faade of the present VI building. The Victoria Institution building was one of many to be floodlit for the coronation revelry. In 1929, the campus moved to its present location and the buildings on High Street became the home of three different educational institutions. Over the years the building fell into disrepair and was left vacant until the recent fire on 26 July 1999. With the straightening of the Klang River and the construction of a viaduct at a later date, buildings were removed until the only remaining structure was the Infants' school of the Old VI. This was known as the Panggung Derama, a Performing Arts Centre and rehearsal venue. This structure was the last remaining building from the campus of the Old VI. The original campus of the Old VI was

completed in 1894. It was located on High Street, on the bank of the Klang River, in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. This street is now known as Jalan Tun H. S. Lee.

Political changes in Malaya have also contributed to a change in the running of the School. When Malaya achieved independence and became a full-fledged democratic country, it was also decided to democratize the management of the school to inculcate a sense of responsibility amongst the residents of Kuala Lumpur regarding the education of their children. According to the terms of the Education Ordinance of 1957, Boards of Governors were to be set up in all Schools. In the Victoria Institution three members of the Board were to be nominated by the Ministry of Education, two by State government, three by the President of the Victoria Institution Old Boys' Association and three by the parents of the pupils. Both the Government and the public were amply represented in the new Board, and it in many ways resembled the Board of Trustees, on whom was entrusted the management of the School when it was quasi-independent.

During World War II, the Victoria Institution was used as the administrative headquarters by the invading Japanese army and after Japan's defeat in the war, the surrender ceremony of the administration of Malaya to the British was also held there on 22 February 1946. The first School bell, which was installed when the V.I. first opened in 1893, disappeared during the Japanese occupation and could not be traced in spite of thorough and searching inquiries. A veritable social revolution occurred in 1950 with the admission to the School of its first girl, Miss Yoong Yan Yoong, from the Methodist Girls' School. In 1911, the headmasters bungalow, which used to be sited on the school grounds, was the scene of a murder that stunned the local community. The episode was immortalized by Somerset Maugham in one of his famous short stories that later was adapted for the film called "The Letter".

The School Bell that went missing

TIMELINE
1893 VI was established It was to take after the enormously successful Raffles Institution in Singapore. Construction began 2 buildings, one a school block known as Block 1(Infant School) & the other a large bungalow for the headmaster 1894 Officially opened on High Street Renamed Jalan Bandar soon after the Malayan Independence The road with many of its original shop houses still remains, however it is now known as Jalan Tun HS Lee. 1895 Gombak Road has now been renamed Damansara Road Police barracks, facing the school, have now been built beside the Police Station 1899 A new VI block, Block 2(Lower School), was built beside the first block

1902 Block 3(Middle School) was added behind block 2 This new block consisted of a laboratory and 3 classrooms. In addition, a gymnasium was built beside block 3 - It looked like a Roman temple with tall columns, two at the front and back, and four on each side. 1909 Block 4(High School) was constructed about 50 meters across the field behind block 1

1911 Headmasters building gained a bit of notoriety One evening, a European planter was shot several times in the bungalow Died on the driveway Wife of the acting headmaster was accused of murder

 1921

Pardoned after given the death sentence by the Selangor Sultan

A temporary building was set up to house more classrooms 5 years later, another one-storey building was erected to relieve the pressure for classroom space

1926 Headmaster, Mr. G. C. Davies, and his family had to be rescued by a sampan when they were stranded in his Bungalow. Klang River became a hazard as it flooded often V.I.s site was on low ground and as such, the school would occasionally be under a few feet of water during rainy season and had to be closed. Government gave approval for V.I to be built on its present premises which was what used to be a Chinese cemetery and golf links, due to persistent flood nuisance

Picture of a flooded Old Victoria Institution during heavy downpour

1929 The old Headmasters Bungalow was demolished to allow the Klang River to be diverted and straightened in the early nineteen thirties.

1945 13 September VI Hall used for Japanese Surrender (this was repeated on 22nd February 1946) The end of the second world war

1999 Evening of July 26, a fire broke out in Block 1 started possibly by drug addicts who had sneaked into the empty and supposedly locked building The roof and wooden floor were destroyed although the concrete walls survived The gable with 1893 inscribed on it and which had stood for 106 years was consumed by the flames Thus, the very first and most historic building of the Victoria Institution met its sad demise

Picture of the fire that broke out in Block 1

2002 2005 Reconstruction completed Transformed into a hub for arts and culture (Taman Budaya) Reconstruction began on 28th October 2002

Illustration of structural layout transformation over the years

Map of 1939 Shows significant change in the former V.I complex. Various kinks in the Klang River are now gone and the River is what is like today but only three buildings are shown in the complex now known as Technical College. The map missed out Block 4 and some other small buildings, but has drawn in the road separating Block 1 from Blocks 2 and 3 Map of 1950 Shows little change in the former V.I complex 5 years after the war There is extensive road remodeling south of the complex near the Chinese Assembly Hall where a roundabout has been built The Technical College remained in High Street School until 1954 when it moved to Jalan Gurney (now Jalan Semarak) Newly established High Street School took over the old V.I premises In 1957, this school in turn moved out to new premises in Setapak Now known as High School Setapak

Map of 1961 Shows densely packed post-Merdeka Kuala Lumpur, with buildings sprouting everywhere All the remaining former V.I buildings except Block 1 are to be demolished at years end to allow for the construction of the viaduct spanning the Klang River from the National Mosque to the Chinese Assembly Station street has been renamed Jalan Balai Polis its length is truncated considerably as the Police Station premises have been extended into the junction of the street with High Street High Street has been renamed Jalan Bandar roundabout at the Chinese Assembly Hall is now known as Bulatan Merdeka Old River Road a watery bend in the river which once coursed alongside the schools Blocks 2 and 3 and which had been filled in during the early thirties. The river has become a road!

Over the next thirty years, Block 1 would become, firstly, the Panggung Derama under the auspices of the National Drama Council and later the Pusat Seni.

Map of 1993 Shows, Block 1 sits forlornly amidst massive change Tall skyscrapers loom above it and there is a busy traffic interchange a stones throw away Jalan Sultan Mohamed now runs where the old Klang River used to curve past the Headmasters Bungalow The old Jalan Sekolah is now nameless just narrow lane separating the Klang Bus Station from the Uda-Ocean Shopping Complex Since 1998, an LRT track (not shown) follows Jalan Sultan Mohamed to the Pasar Seni Station opposite the Bus Station Old River Road has lost its name but still serves its function of funneling High Street (Jalan Bandar) traffic into Bulatan Merdeka Since late sixties, Jalan Bandar has been called Jalan Tun H.S. Lee Completing the V.I connection, the late Tun H.S. Lee, though not a Victorian himself, sent his sons to the new V.I in the forties and fifties

The above visualization depicts the school at the end of a school day in the late twenties, with students involved in the major extra-curricular activities

Hawkers along High Street do roaring business with home-bound V.I boys Across the Klang River in the background is the Railway Station Facing the school are the barracks of the High Street Police Station Far left, accessible by a bridge from High Street, is a large engineering works Large trees line the schools frontage Headmasters bungalow is drawn from imagination, based on written accounts of its features and from its outline in maps

ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF OLD VICTORIA INSTITUTION

Old Victoria Institution is highly influenced by an English Cottage style. With the support from the British residents of Selangor, they erected a premium English institution for boys in Kuala Lumpur. Evidences in most of the forms and structures of this building are attributed to such a style. There are also parts of the building that feature an architectural style that is similar to that of Gothic Architecture

English Cottage Style Architecture

By viewing this building from its elevation, elements on the left side of the building is most often not similar to that on the opposite section of the building thus, illustrating an asymmetry which is one of the many characteristics of English Cottage architectural style. Also, materials with a combination of timber and bricks are often used in this form of English Cottage architectural style.

The materials used can be seen clearly on the structure itself

Pitched roof and Cupola

The buildings roof is vertically raised and it has been divided by its horizontal run which is called the slope. Basically, it is a roof with two slopes that meet at a central ridge and this is known as the Medium Pitched Roof as the angle of the roof is more than 20 degrees. Malaysia is known for its high amount of rainfall and this contributed to the decision towards selecting a Pitched Roof to ensure adequate surface run-off to redirect water to the ground. This helps to minimize the damage on the roof over time hence, ensuring that the roof maximizes its longest possible lifespan. There is also a structure known as a Cupola located at the top of the roof. The Cupola of the Old Victoria Institution features a conical roof resting atop a cuboid. Thermal panel windows are utilized in this cuboid to provide a point of lookout or to admit light and air in.

Exposed rafters, timber purlins and posts

Another interesting feature of this English Cottage styled building is the exposed timber structures. Based on current renovations that we have observed on site, they seek to re-expose the rafters, timber purlins and posts in order to reestablish a perceived historical authenticity. Rafters are one series of slope structural members, also known as beams, which exist in the roof structures. They are extended from the ridge to the wall. The main purpose of these rafters is to provide support to the roof deck as well as the associated loads and pressure imposed by the wooden members. Purlins are the longitudinal and horizontal structural members of the roof. These purlins support the rafters and they are placed beneath the midsection of the rafters. Concurrently, vertical posts that are widely known as pillars or columns support the horizontal members and weight of the entire structure.

Gothic arch and combination of Gothic and English Cottage Style of the window

The arches that exist in this building are highly influenced by Gothic Architecture. The type of arch featured in the Old Victoria Institution is the equilateral arch given the obtuse angle created by the arch. Also, the combination of the two centered arches and the chords of curves equates to the span of arch. The windows of the Victoria Institution feature styles from both English Cottage and Gothic Architecture. The Equilateral arch influences the circumference of the window while the inner rectangular section is attributed to the English Cottage style.

ELEVATIONS

Front Elevation

Side Elevation

These elevations illustrate the prominent features such as the use of arches which reinstates the buildings significance in the family of the English Cottage and Gothic architecture style. Apart from that, they also show how the building responds to the climate in Malaysia through the enforcement of the medium-pitched roof.

COMPARATIVE STUDY
During the late 19th century and early 20th century, Victorian Architecture experienced a massive influence from Gothic and Tudor era designs, from it sprung the Gothic and Tudor Revival movements.

The Gothic Revival style is evident in numerous buildings that were designed, built and finished in the late half of the 19th century, especially in Great Britain. Its colonies, such as the gothic arches, colored windows and spires, from residential to public, buildings of this period seem to abide to a very popular set of designs that went out of fashion in the architectural world 3 centuries ago, this revival of style coined by architects, Neo-Gothic, seem to have less complexity and is more toned down.

On the other hand, the Neo- Tudor style also reemerged in to scene; this style was popular all around South Eastern colonies such as Singapore and Malaysia, with buildings such as the Royal Selangor Club and the Black-and-White houses in Singapore. The Old VI possess features that illustrate a mixture of both revivals, such as the roof, arches and the spire like bell tower.

View of the bell tower of the Old Victoria Institution Block A

Staying in the same typological pool, there are a number of educational buildings that bear similar styling to the Old VI building. Educational buildings with neo gothic styles were categorized into a sub style called Collegiate Gothic, and this style was popular with schools and universities.

The following are a few examples of buildings that feature Collegiate Gothic architecture styling.

1. South Division St. School 1910-1940, Grand Rapids, Michigan

This elementary school building was built about 2 decades after the Old VI building was finished, and they contain quite similar style in certain areas such as the tower and the deep-pitched roof. Both schools do have a pointed bell tower, which is a trait that can be traced back to Gothic architecture where they had very sharp pointed bell towers that are always placed above the main building level. 2. Scotch College 1902, Melbourne, Australia

The similarities of both buildings are very strong, the Old VI campus had gothic styled arches that act as openings into the hallways, a curved and pointed shape that can be seen on many windows and entrances in Gothic styled Churches. The second similarity is the deep pitched roofing, they are slanted in an acute degree and the dormers are connected by the main roof ridge but they spread to the four directions around the building, this arrangement though is not of gothic influence but from Tudor revival. The Old VI building had half-timbered style dormer facades

which are a trademark of Tudor style architecture; this is also evident in Scotch Colleges campus. Unfortunately the bell tower from Scotch College looks different than the one in Old VI, this supports the point that the Old VI building has elements of gothic style implemented to it but it is mainly designed with the Tudor Cottage styles as the main design.

Side by side comparison of the Old VI arches (left) and Scotch Colleges ha llways arches

The Old Victoria Institution seems to draw influences from Gothic and Tudor styles, looking at the other surviving works of the architect A.C Norman who designed the school such as The Royal Selangor Club.

Royal Club Selangor

This building features the black-and-white Tudor design with the half-timbered walls running all over the buildings faade. As such, given the architects apparent Tudor styled concept in his other works such as this, it is with the translation of these ideas towards the erection of the Old Victoria Institution that we see such similar architecture styling.

Branching out from the Arts and Crafts Movement and Art Nouveau, English Cottage styling through works of C.F. A. Voysey and Norman Shaw were also evident in the structure of the Old Victoria Institution. Features such as asymmetry, a medium pitched roof, arched doors, gable roofing and half timbering indicate that the Old Victoria Institution is of an English Cottage descent as well.

Arched doorway along the corridor

on the 1st floor of Block A

The following are comparisons on features between that of the Old Victoria Institution by A.C. Norman and famous works by C.F.A.house for C.S. Loch at Oxshott Voysey

The Old Victoria Institution (Side Profile) and House for C.S. Loch at Oxshott by C.F.A Voysey illustrating features of structural asymmetry and gable roofing.

Victoria Institution

South Division St. School

Scotch College Hawthorne (Dorm)

Completed in 1902, strong English Cottage Style influence and Neo Gothic

Royal Selangor Club

Officially completed in 1894, design having a blend of Neo-Gothic and English Cottage style.

Completed in 1910, design has a very strong Neo-colonial and a little Neo-Gothic influence

Completed in 1890, Strong Cottage Style influences

Half Timbered roofing and a spire-like bell tower.

More towards the Neo-Georgian style of roofing, where they have small windows on the roof facades. Sharp looking spire.

Half Timbered roofing.

Half Timbered roofing on all buildings. Black coloured timber and white coloured walls.

Gothic styled arches and medium pitched roofing.

Colonial Revival styled Gothic Styled arches roofing, deeply and medium pitched pitched. roofing.

Deep pitched roofing.

Conical bell tower, sharply pointed and above building level.

Round spire and above main building level

Square bell tower

No bell tower.

Educational Building

Educational Building

Educational Building

Social Club

CONCLUSION

All in all, by drawing references of other works of the architect, A.C. Norman, are were able to understand the design influences of the Old Victoria Institution building. Also, by acknowledging the start of Victorian Architecture, we are able to recognize other renowned architects of such architectural influence and how their styling is reflected or can be cross-referenced with the elements featured in the Old Victoria Institution. Apart from that, the political, social and economical issues that occurred through the decades have significantly played a crucial role in the sizing and expansion of the institution itself.

Also, despite an all-encompassing English Cottage style, which may also feature Gothic architecture elements, it is important that we distinguish between the two so as to comprehend the category of the design influences of each architectural or structural feature.

By acknowledging the existence of the Old Victoria Institution and by understanding the history as well as structural transformations in which the building has undergone, we are able to not only understand the main design influences for architecture during that era but also relate to how such influences have been translated to other buildings in Malaysia apart from the Old Victoria Institution. As such, the Old Victoria Institution is indeed a vital asset in the Malaysian architectural heritage since it is one of the significant beginnings of architecture in Malaysia during the governance of the British in that era.

Hence, conserving the Old Victoria Institution is crucial to enable comprehension of Malaysias architectural history and how influences of Arts and Craft during a Victorian era dominate most architectural designs in Europe. These design influences are then brought down to South East Asian countries such as Malaysia during the reign of the British Empire.

REFERENCE LIST:

Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM). (1975) Guide to Kuala Lumpur Notable Buildings. Papyrus Printers & Stationers Sdn. Bhd.

Mohd Bakri Jaffar. (2007) Bangunan-Bangunan Bersejarah. Ultimate Print Sdn. Bhd.

Doraisamy J. (1993) Victoria Institution The First Century 1893-1993

Victoria Institution. (n.d.) A History of Victoria Institution 1893-1961. Charles Garnier & Co. Ltd, Kuala Lumpur.

Executive Engineer, Works & Buildings, Kuala Lumpur. (1924) Memorandum. Repair Works on Deteriorating Timber Roofing.

Secretary of Victoria Institution. (1907). Extension of Buildings, Victoria Institution.

Chung Chee Min. (2000). The School at the River Bend. http://www.viweb.freehosting.net/viOldVI.htm Accessed 13 April 2013 South Division St. School. Historygrandrapids.org. Retrieved May 10, 2013, from http://www.historygrandrapids.org/photo/1528/south-division-st-school

Mishura, P. Ashton, D. Scotch 160 years in five pages. scotch.vic.edu.au. Retrieved May 10, 2013, from http://www.scotch.vic.edu.au/gscot/11decgs/08.htm Clark, Kenneth (1962). The Gothic Revival (3rd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. pp. 1734 Gothic Revival Style 1830 1860. portal.state.pa.us. Retrieved May 8, 2013, from http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/mid19th_century_period/2386/gothic_revival_style/293443 1890 - Present: Tudor House Style. architecture.about.com. Retrieved May 9, 2013, from http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/tudorutica-jc-5240029.htm

APPENDIX