Malay House

Introduction on Malay Houses

The traditional Malay house is one of the richest components of Malaysia's cultural heritage. It is custom made to express the way of life of its inhabitants. It is also designed to suit the warm and humid climate and for optimal and multifunctional use of space. Its design is also flexible and uses an addition system that allows the house to be extended to meet the growing needs of each family. The Islamic religion and hierachy plays a part in the building of the house. They are usually contructed with timber, wood and bamboo. The primary structure where most activities are done is called the Rumah ibu and the secondary structure where all the cooking and washing is done is called the Rumah Dapur. There are usually carvings and ornamentations on the window panels and doors. Floral, geometric and nature designs, as well as islamic calligraphy are also present.

                                             

Origins of selected house

The bumbung Panjang Is one the the most common and oldest malay houses. It has a long gable roof which is supported by kingposts. Its roof is made of attap. The complexity of the long roof is a sign of the status of the user. Like other malay houses, It has a addition system and extension to meet the growing needs of the family. This houses were once built to host many families, each in its own 'apartment' with common wide veranda linking the front.

   

                                                                         Gable roof  

                                                 

                                                                       

Kingposts

Climate responsive design

Due to heavy monsoon rains, the roofs of the Malay vernacular houses are very steep. In some places, flooding occurs after heavy rainfalls. To solve this problem, some houses have used timber stilts to elevate the building above the ground level. The warm climate also effects the style of the Malay vernacular architecture. For ventilation purposes, many buildings have large openings on the sides and grilles are provided at high level in gable ends. Houses raised on stilts are provided with better natural ventilation. The elevated floor, supported by stilts is protected from natural disasters like floods , as well as from wild animals. The vacant area below the house also allows fresh air to circulate .

Building and construction techniques

The early Malay houses were built with round wooden pillars. These pillars were grooved slightly in order to support the beams of the house. The joints of the pillars, floor and roof of the house were secured with cane or creeper. For the walls, either split and flattened bamboo or wickerwork, were used. The roof of the house was covered with woven leaves from sago or nipah palms. Thus, the traditional Malay house was built with its characteristically simple appearance before it developed in size and complexity.The pillars of the house were shaped with an axe. The joints at the pillars and roof were no longer tied, it is a hole was bored and a dowel and wedge were

inserted to ensure  that the pillars and roof were firm and stable. At the head of each pillar, proections were made and these were fitted into holes made in the crossbar.

Typical building plans , layout and functional designs

Serambi Samanaik which is the main and highest house and the first to be built. The Anjung is the entrance and porch area. The Serambi Gantung is a verandah and is at all lower level. The Lepau is a fringe and is at a lower area to display souvenirs and collections.

                                                                            Typical building plans

                                                                                Functional designs