Using Malaysian Contemporary Vernacular Architecture as a Design Strategy to

Reduce Energy Consumption in Buildings

2014

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Asian Architecture [ARC 2234]
PROJECT 1: CASE STUDY

Belum Rainforest Resort: Using Malaysian Contemporary Vernacular
Architecture as a Design Strategy to Reduce Energy Consumption in
Buildings
*Edited by Mr. Koh Jing Hao


Name: Ng Sueh Yi
Student ID: 0310700
Lecturer: Mr. Koh Jing Hao
Submission Date: 12th June 2014


Using Malaysian Contemporary Vernacular Architecture as a Design Strategy to
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Table of Contents Page

1.0 Abstract 3
2.0 Introduction 4
2.1 Belum Rainforest Resort 5
3.0 Contemporary Vernacular Architecture Features in Belum Rainforest Resort
3.1 Traditional Malay Houses
3.1.1 Introduction 7
3.1.2 Applications of Features in Belum Rainforest Resort 8
3.2 Longhouses in Sarawak
3.2.1 Introduction 12
3.2.2 Applications of Features in Belum Rainforest Resort 13
3.3 Chinese Shophouses
3.3.1 Introduction 14
3.3.2 Applications of Features in Belum Rainforest Resort 15
4.0 Conclusion 18
5.0 Appendix 19
6.0 Reference 20









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1.0 Abstract
The objective of the paper is to explain the importance of Malaysian Contemporary Vernacular
Architecture in achieving sustainability by lowering energy consumption in buildings and how these
architectural features have aid in achieving this goal. In supporting the validity of this research,
literature reviews from various sources in relation to these factors of change helps in identifying
and gaining an understanding on how these features affect energy consumption in buildings in
terms of ventilation and natural lighting. This paper shall also explain these changing process in
vernacular architecture through the events that have taken place throughout the country's history.
Using Belum Rainforest Resort as a case study, the paper will also discuss how it applies
Malaysian Contemporary Vernacular Architecture features as its design strategy in achieving
sustainability. Therefore, this paper concludes that sustainability with Malaysian Contemporary
Vernacular architecture does not involved the traditional architecture style alone, but a combination
of various culture and style.














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2.0 Introduction
Sustainability has become an importance in the architectural world these days, with a concern
regarding the rising rate in energy consumption and the rate of depletion of natural resources. As
stated from the article:

"Sustainability must involve a process that is restorative, regenerative, dynamic and efficient as
opposed to energy intensive, resource dependent, extractive and disposable methods, as we now
envision that now and in the future, that we could live in the decent level of well being within the
limits of what nature can and continue to provide." (Sufian & Mohd, 2010)

Therefore, sustaining the built environment in the tropics, in this case, our Malaysian tropical
climate, has become a major issue today.

The climate in Malaysia is categorized as equatorial, with high temperature and humidity, along
with heavy and unpredictable rainfall throughout the year. In order to achieve thermal comfort, the
houses in Malaysia were forced to take these climatic factors into consideration, hence applying
vernacular architecture as a design method. For example, the elevated traditional Malay houses
along with its high-pitched roof, which aids in enhancing ventilation and cooling. But Malaysian
Vernacular Architecture does not stop at that point, throughout the history of Malaysia, the country
has experienced architectural changes upon several foreign arrivals, where different architectural
styles and elements has been implemented into houses to meet their cultural needs, at the same
time, taking into account the country's climatic factors. In this case study, we shall explore these
architectural changes that has contributed into the development of Malaysian contemporary
architecture such as the shop houses and courtyard design of the Chinese immigrants, the
townhouse design upon the arrival of the Dutch, and finally, the introduction of the 'five foot way'
which is a shaded pathway along shop house to shelter pedestrians from sun and rain during the
British colonization.






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This paper will investigate the development of Malaysian Contemporary Vernacular Architecture
and its contribution to sustainability by engaging the following research questions:

1. What is Malaysian Vernacular Architecture?
2. How the Malaysian Vernacular Architecture respond to climate and its
environmental surrounding?
3. How did the features in Malaysian Contemporary Architecture came about?
4. How did Belum Rainforest Resort apply Malaysian Vernacular Architecture into its design?
5. How does Malaysian Vernacular Architecture succeed in reducing energy consumption of
buildings?


2.1 Belum Rainforest Resort
As a subject for this case study, located in an island surrounded by one of the world's oldest
tropical rainforest, Belum Rainforest Resort is a retreat for nature-lovers and holiday-goers. The
construction and design of this resort involves and inspired by various styles of vernacular
architecture that can be observed in Malaysia which contributes to sustainability in terms of natural
cooling, lighting and natural ventilation. In the end, this design shall reduce the energy
consumption in buildings regarding the usage of electrical equipments such as lightings and air-
conditioning system where the application of skylights has resulted in no need of turning on the
lights during the day, and cooling through natural ventilation has reduce the need of using air-
conditioning system.






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3.0 Contemporary Vernacular Architecture Features in Belum
Rainforest Resort
Before we move on to the Contemporary Vernacular Architectural Features in Belum Rainforest
Resort we should understand that what are the factors that give rise to vernacular design in
Malaysia.

Factors that causes climatic stress in Malaysia:
High temperatures and humidity : The climate in Malaysia is categorized as equatorial, with
temperature range from 24 degrees Celsius to as high as 33 degrees Celsius, along with high
humidity level due to high level of rainfall and monsoon seasons.
Solar Radiation and Glare: Being a equatorial country, Malaysia is naturally abundant with
sunshine and hence, solar radiation that gives rise to health hazards and glare that is harmful to
the naked eye.
Unpredictable Rainfall and Occasional Winds: High level of rainfall which varies with different
seasons of the year along with wind level of generally light and variable.

Through these climatic factors, we define vernacular architecture as an architectural design that
adapts to its surrounding environment in terms of its climatic factors to achieve thermal comfort, in
addition to the inhabitants' in relation to both social and cultural needs.
Regarding the subject of Contemporary Vernacular Architecture in Malaysia, this paper shall argue
that this "Contemporary Form" of vernacular design in Malaysia does not derive from its most
traditional and primitive form alone, such as the vernacular design of the traditional Malay houses.
Instead, it is developed through a series of several foreign influence in both cultural and political
means. As stated by the author,

"Vernacular house forms evolved according to different cultural settings and are the results of long-
term modification, adaptations, shared experiences and innovations."(Chen, 1998)

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3.1 Traditional Malay Houses
3.1.1 Introduction
A traditional house form of the Malay race, and commonly found in the west-peninsular Malaysia,
the traditional Malay houses posses many similarities with other traditional houses in other
countries in South East Asia. These common features includes gable roof and raised platforms
with timber posts.
The spatial arrangement in the traditional Malay House is organized based on its hierarchical order,
which is expressed in the difference in space and height. The most important space in the house is
determined by the spaces with the largest size and in height. These changes in levels also define
spaces rather than with partitions and walls. Occasionally, curtains are used to create partitions if
there is a need for privacy. The Malay house design is a direct response to the vagaries of the local
climate, along with its use of local materials which were abundant in nature, for example, using
nipah(palm), or rumbia(sago plant) to construct the roof of the houses which carries the
advantageous attributes of their water-proofing abilities and being light-weighted.







Figure 3.1 - an example of a traditional Malay house




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3.1.2 Applications of Features in Belum Rainforest Resort
One of the best examples in Belum Rainforest resort that is inspired from traditional Malay houses
would be the Traditional Chalet from phase 2 of the construction process. Many characteristics
from the is vernacular design can be seen from structure. Unlike the traditional method, the
construction of the traditional chalet uses a combination of both natural and man-made material
such as steel, applied contemporary construction technique, hence gave rise to the combination of
the old and the new.
Figure 3.2 and 3.3 - The view to the exterior of the traditional chalet.


Aside from its form being largely resemble a traditional Malay
house, the traditional chalet incorporated the elevated platform,
with steel post instead of timber. In terms of vernacular design, the
elevated structure aids in preventing the entrance of water during
flood seasons, or provide a void space underneath the structure for
storage purpose. But other than that, it carries a more important
function which is allowing natural ventilation underneath the
structure to remove heat and enhance cooling(Fig 3.5). The timber
floor cladding of the traditional chalet are not fully sealed, hence
providing an air space to allow the entrance of cool air and wind.

Figure 3.4 - The exterior
showing the raised platform of
the traditional chalet
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Figure 3.5 - Natural ventilation in Malay houses.
In traditional Malay houses, maximum cross ventilation is achieved by having a large, open
interior space with minimum or no partition to obstruct wind flow, provided by full length windows
on both sides, as shown in Figure 3.5 above. On the other hand, in the traditional chalet of Belum
Rainforest Resort, although the space is not as open planned as in traditional Malay houses, it still
has openings in the partition to allow adequate cross ventilation. In addition, a rammed earth wall
partition is present on one side of the structure to direct the wind flow upwards when the wind
reaches the wall once it exits the chalet.

Figure 3.6 - Cross ventilation in the traditional chalet. Figure 3.7 - The rammed earth
partition beside the structure.
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Although the climate in Malaysia provides us with a good source
of natural lighting, it also brings in an issue of high solar glare
that causes discomfort in inhabitants. Hence, in Malaysian
vernacular design, with full length windows for natural lighting,
large overhangs or verandas are constructed beside the
windows to greatly reduce solar glare, whereas verandas
provide extra floor space. The traditional chalet has been
installed with a veranda beside the windows that are facing the
direction of the sun.
Aside from the traditional chalet, the application of large
overhang could also be observed at the roof of the resort's
restaurant, where large overhangs are constructed on both sides
of the restaurant.






Figure 3.8 - The veranda beside
the traditional chalet.
Figure 3.9 - The overhang roof of the restaurant;
Figure 3.10 - The morning sun casts upon the roof of the restaurant.
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To enhance the effectiveness of ventilation, Belum Rainforest Resort allows the growth of
vegetation around the structure, which also aids in keeping a cool environment around the area.
Furthermore, the resort encourages vegetation on the structure itself. At the rooftop area, its design
has taken an advantage of vegetation where its growth on cable wire partition and overhangs
would function as a natural shading device.

















Figure 3.11 - The traditional chalet is surrounded by
vegetations that keeps the surrounding environment
cool during the day.
Figure 3.11 - Vegetations are allowed to grow on the
structural elements of the resort .
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3.2 Longhouses in Sarawak
3.2.1 Introduction
The longhouse is dwellings of the indigenous group that are commonly found in East-Malaysia,
which also known as "orang asli" in the Malay language. These indigenous group includes Iban,
Melanau, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu and their lifestyle and construction are represent though these
houses. The main design of these houses is to accommodate large and multiple families, which
could be as many as 120 people or more.
Among its characteristics, the longhouse shares several common characteristics with Malay
traditional houses such as the elevated platforms on timber post, where the longhouse differ in
elevating their structure in much greater heights compared to the traditional Malay house, the
house would be raised up to 6 metres off the ground on timber stilts, with only a long, timber
staircase carved from a single wooden log as their only means of accessing their home, mainly to
avoid the invasion of predators and the inhabitants could gain a larger range of view to their
surroundings from the house. Other than that, the longhouse also shares similarities with the
traditional Malay house in having an open interior space with minimum to provide optimum cross-
ventilation and overhangs to provide shading from solar glare. The application of partitions in
longhouses is to separate the space into family apartments, however, the partition does not fully
extend to the ceiling, so that cross ventilation is still available.











Figure 3.12 - An example of a longhouse situated in central Sarawak.
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3.2.2 Applications of Features in Belum Rainforest Resort
Regarding the vernacular design of the longhouses in Sarawak, the side of the longhouse with
larger surface area and width is generally orientated in such a way that it is facing towards the
north-south direction, at the same time, minimizing the number of windows that are facing towards
the east-west direction.
The structures in Belum Rainforest Resort were not only built in such a way that it does not
interrupts the original contour of the landscape, instead of positioning the structure in facing the
north-south direction to reduce solar radiation, the structures in Belum Rainforest Resort
emphasizes on cooling. Instead, each structure is orientated to face the direction of wind flow,
which is the south-west direction. This greatly aids in catching the incoming wind to maximize
ventilation through the structure to further promote cooling.








Apart from that, like the houses in villages of the indigenous group in Sarawak, the structures in
Belum Rainforest Resort are built in clustered forms instead of connecting all the buildings and
merging them into one large structure. This enhances cross ventilation by high velocity winds
throughout and between the houses (Fig. 3.13).




Figure 3.14 - Cross ventilation
between houses

Figure 3.13 - structure in the resort facing the south-
west direction and towards the man-made lake.
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3.3 Chinese Shophouses
3.2.1 Introduction
The Chinese community has arrived and permanently settled in Melaka since the 17th century and
are referred to as one of the major immigrant groups in Malaysia , which the community mainly
consists of shopkeepers, craftsmen and farmers.
The Chinese community has provided a large contribution in terms of Malaysian vernacular
architecture by bringing in the Straits Eclectic style, which is the combination of Chinese, European,
and Malay architectural style, at the same time preserving the traditions of their homeland.
Examples that show these characteristics of Malaysian Vernacular Architecture by the Chinese
community could be widely seen in the shop houses and town houses in Melaka. The construction
techniques were widely influenced by the Chinese but based on building materials that are locally
available. The Straits Eclectic style that involves the European includes western countries such as
the Dutch and British where their influence on the Chinese shop houses design was during the
occupation in Malaysia. For example, the Dutch has introduced the five foot way in front of every
houses, plus, enforce narrow frontage in town houses, which cause the townhouses to have small
frontage but very long length.












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3.2.2 Applications of Features in Belum Rainforest Resort
The best example of the contribution provided by the Chinese community towards the development
of Malaysian contemporary vernacular architecture would be the construction of the Chinese shop
houses, especially the ones that are situated in Melaka. Due to the usage of building materials
such as bricks and plaster, the cooling effect would not be as great as using timber in traditional
Malay houses. Hence, the Chinese community has created an addition to its vernacular design in
order to compensate for this loss of cooling.

Aside of having a straightforward open planning of space along with wooden screens in partitions
to promote cross ventilation, the Chinese community has incorporated their tradition and design of
a courtyard into the shop houses, which in return functions as an air well directing the wind flow
through the building upwards and removes heat. The Chinese shop house too carries a similarity to
the traditional Malay house, which is the usage of air vents and shutters to improve cross
ventilation. Furthermore, the air well allows the inhabitants to enjoy the outdoor space in the
comfort of their homes.
Figure 3.15 - Features of a Shop house
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Although the architectural form of the structures in Belum Rainforest does not resemble the
Chinese shop houses, there are a few characteristics that are inspired from its vernacular design
especially in the Deluxe Suite, where this characteristic could be observed in the bathroom space
at the end of the suite. Like an air well, cool wind enters through the suite and exits upwards
through the bathroom walls. At the same time, the generally indoor bathroom could also become
an outdoor space




Besides having an air well for natural ventilation, it also
provides natural lighting to the interior space, acting as a
skylight during the day(Fig. 3.17). This could be observed in
several areas of the resort such as the first floor hallway of
one of the resort's accommodation section(Fig. 3.18), The
bathroom (Fig. 3.19)and living area of the villa(Fig. 3.20).




Figure 3.17 - An air well
in a shop house of
Melaka also functions as
a skylight during the day.
Figure 3.16 - The outdoor space that connects to
the bathroom.
Top right: Figure 3.18 - Skylight in the hallway
of the resort's accommodation section; Right:
Figure 3.19: Skylight in the bathroom of the
villa; Far right: Figure 3.20 - Skylight in the
living area of the villa.
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The Five Foot Way on the frontage of shop houses(as shown in Fig. 3.15) was first introduced by
the Dutch to provide shelter from sun and rain(Fig 3.21). During the British occupation iin the 19th
century, the five walk way was eventually evolved into one string of walkway connecting to
adjacent buildings, sheltering pedestrian plus, allowing them to walk from one building to another
(Fig. 3.22). In the Deluxe Suite of Belum Rainforest Resort, the facade design may not carry a
literal representation or resemblance of a five foot way, however, it is inspired by the function of
sheltering from sun and rain. As shown in Figure 3.23, the roof extends to provide shelter to the
frontage of the Deluxe Suite.


















Top: Figure 3.21 - The Five Foot Way introduced by
the Dutch, the frontage was surrounded by plastered
covered brick walls.; Right: Figure 3.22 - the evolved
Five Foot Way that was introduced by the British,
connecting from one building to another; Below:
Figure 3.23 - The frontage of the Deluxe Suites.:
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4.0 Conclusion
Belum Rainforest resort has successfully applied not only the vernacular architecture of the
traditional Malay houses alone, but at the same time, applied the vernacular architecture in
Malaysia that were influenced by foreign culture. Along with using the current technology of
construction methods, Belum Rainforest Resort has successfully achieved its objective of
structures that reduce energy consumption that would inspire more future architectural projects in
reaching that goal in order to achieve sustainability. Malaysian vernacular architecture does not
have its origin in its purest form, in fact, it is an ongoing process through a series of influence and
change by any means, in any aspect. Therefore, this paper shall concludes that sustainability with
Malaysian Contemporary Vernacular architecture does not involved the traditional architecture
style alone, but a combination of various culture and style.













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5.0 Appendix
Figure 3.1 Old Traditional Malay House[Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.langkawi-
insight.com/langkawi_000079.htm
Figure 3.5 Lim, J.Y. (n.d.) Climatic Design of the Malay House. The Malay house :
rediscovering Malaysia's indigenous shelter system[Diagram]. Retrieved from
http://pythonians.wordpress.com
Figure 3.12 Reid, G. (n.d.) On the Lemanak River of Sarawak[Photograph]. Retrieved from
http://www.perceptivetravel.com/issues/0108/reid.html
Figure 3.15 Tan, Y.W (n.d.) Features of a Shophouse[Illustration]. Retrieved from
http://penangshophouse.blogspot.com/














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6.0 Reference
Chen, V.F. (1998). Encyclopedia of Malaysia Vol 5: Architecture. Archipelago Press.
Singapore.

Coch, H. (1998). Bioclimatism in Vernacular Architecture. Renewable and Sustainable
Energy Reviews. 2. 67-87. Elsevier Science Ltd. Retrieved from April 14th, 2013.

Essays, UK. (2013). The Traditional Malay Houses Construction Essay. Retrieved from
http://www.ukessays.com/essays/construction/the-traditional-malay-houses-
construction-essay.php?cref=1

Ramli, N. H. (2012) Case Study of Selangor Traditional Malay House & Low Energy
Building in Malaysia. Re-adaptation of Malay House Thermal Comfort Design Elements
into Modern Building Elements. Retrieved from April 24th, 2013.
10.5829/idosi.ijee.2012.03.05.04

Sim, S. (2010). Redefining the Vernacular in the Hybrid Architecture of Malaysia. Retrieved
from April 23th, 2014.

Sufian, C.A. & Mohd, S.A.R. (2010). An Introduction to Its Genius Loci. An Analysis of The
Traditional Malay Architecture as Indicators for Sustainability. Retrieved from April 23th,
2013.