Architecture of Malaysia

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Architecture in Malaysia traditionally consist of malay vernacular architecture. Though modern contemporary architecture is prevalent in urban areas there are style influences from Islamic, colonial architecture, chinese straits etc. [1] New materials, such as glasses and nails, were brought in by Europeans, changing the architecture.[2]

Houses in the region are built for tropical conditions, raised on stilts with high roofs and large windows, allowing air to flow through the house and cool it down.[3] Wood has been the main building material for much of Malaysia's history; it is used for everything from the simple kampung to royal palaces.[1] In Negeri Sembilan traditional houses are entirely free of nails.[3] Besides wood, other common materials such as bamboo and leaves were used.[2] The Istana Kenangan in Kuala Kangsar was built in 1926, and it the only Malay palace with bamboo walls. The Orang Asal of East Malaysia live in longhouses and water villages. Longhouses are elevated and on stilts, and can house 20 to 100 families. Water villages are also built on stilts, with houses connected with planks and most transport by boats.[3]

  1. ^ a b World and Its Peoples: Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Brunei. New York. Marshall Cavendish Corporation. 2007. pp. 1218–1222. ISBN 9780761476429.
  2. ^ a b Assoc. Prof. Dr. A. Ghafar Ahmad. "Malay Vernacular Architecture". Archived from the original on 10 June 2010. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "About Malaysia: Culture and heritage". Tourism.gov.my. Archived from the original on 28 February 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2011.