by Zaky Jaafar
(The idea behind this article was germinated after an Interview I did with Dato Seri Lim Chong Keat. a senior and prominent Malaysian architect. He highlighted three characteristics of the houses he built, based on the principles of modern movement, which also can be found in the architecture of traditional Malay houses, something he hold dear throughout his career)
Rumah Bumbung Panjang Terengganu source: iproperty.com.my)
In explaining the houses he built in his early days of practice, he identified three characteristics evident in these houses, following the tradition of the modern movement, that can also be inferred from the traditional Malay house. Reflecting on these principles, I would like to propose that if these are understood correctly, they would portray a worldview that should provide clues on how to view the modern world in a more sensible way.
1. Structural Clarity:
By simple observation, one can tell the function of each structural member of the construction. Not only that, the relationship between each piece with all of the rest, can also be clearly understood just from looking at them.
2. Well defined functions:
In the spirit of form follow function, from the outside, it is obvious there are distinct massing of the architecture, each representing a unique function. While there are variations between different types, most Malay houses' typology can be identified as having three main components. The Rumah ibu, sits at the front of the arrangement, with a large pitch roof, the dominant space of the house. This is where the master bedroom is located. Rumah Dapur, for cooking and dining, and sleeping of female children, is slightly smaller, if not just as large, located behind the rumah ibu, indicating its secondary status. The openness of the serambi denotes the more semi public area of the house. Some types have a selang. a platform between the two large rumahs, is a transitional space, where more flexible activities take place. All of this can be inferred just from looking at the house from the outside.
3. Materiality:
The honesty of the materials, just as with the clarity of structural assembly, hides no secret to the observer. Exposed wood grain would even tell well trained eyes of the species of the timber, or even the origin of extraction.
All the three characteristics can now be used to track their origin from a unique world view that is honest, altruistic and holistic. A worldview that currently would offer a better approach to civilisation that is in need of a more humane and responsible touch. In short, they can then be argued as coming from a more sensible worldview that should be replacing the current one which is ridden with damaging reductionistic tendency.
Structural Clarity: Big picture assembly
The fragmentation of phenomena due to Reductionism resulted in an incoherent worldview that could not harmonise various aspects of civilisation, resulting in series of crises plaguing the modern world. The ability to perceive the world as a connection of various dynamics is essential. The clarity of structure suggests that in understanding phenomena, it is necessary for an observer to understand how pieces work together towards a big picture. Students of Malay architecture would understand how alang, rasuk, gelegar, pelapik, tiang, fit together to create the whole house. This understanding, not only necessary during the design stage, but also can be comprehensible from post construction observation. This ability to understand the intricate relationship between the components of a phenomena to create the whole is what holistic worldview is all about.
Well defined function: Comprehension of metaphysics
The mind body dualism, forms and material separation, as a consequence of reductionist mentality, has long been lamented as the leading cause of the loss of meaning and purpose in modern life. The ability to bring metaphysics into our actions is of utmost importance. This suggests the need to understand metaphysical properties, related to their physical containers. The rumah Ibu, Rumah Dapur, serambi and selang, are physical manifestations of the metaphysics of their functions. The activities, the hierarchy, the notion of public private gradation, of male and female domains, are all metaphysical qualities of the distinct physical components. The need to perceive the purpose and meaning of a physical object jive well with a more comprehensive worldview.
Materiality: Empathy with the planet and people.
Although one can hide the level of integrity in one’s action, the truthful material evidence would allow a degree of transparency that in turn would allow an observer to carry out an honest interpretation of the solution. Environmental degradation, almost always an unwanted side effect of modern production, can be mitigated properly if the process can be made transparent and auditable. All that is needed then is a proper attitude, policy and tools to mitigate the harm. Exposing materials as it is, as with the Malay house, and, interestingly, the international style, exemplify this notion. In a Malay house, the materials are exposed as what they are, curated wood. Similarly in the international style, the use of steel and glass are plain to see. This honesty would accord others the understanding of the environmental implication of the construction. People can then seek to clarify if a timber is harvested sustainably, or the embodied energy of the glass and steel are justified, or the raw materials are extracted responsibly. Nowadays it is acceptable that people demand evidence of sustainability of the construction activities.
Now I have argued that the three characteristics discussed above suggest that they originate from a worldview that is more responsible to civilisation than the one currently dominating it. The more important question is whether the resulting built form would in turn induce society to adopt a more holistic worldview? I would hope that this is true. If we are to believe the second part of the notion form follow function, that is, function follow form, then we can argue that the form has the power to influence function, and by inference the worldview, of society.
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