For Laurence Loh`s presentation slides, click here

Transcription

+
CONSERVATION OF
THE HERITAGE OF WOOD IN MALAYSIA:
CURRENT STATE & FUTURE TASKS
Malaysian Timber Council, Kuala Lumpur
25 June 2015
Adjunct Associate Professor Laurence Loh, [email protected]
+ OUTLINE OF PAPER
 CONTEXT
– WEST MALAYSIA, CONSERVATION
ADVOCACY & THE HERITAGE OF WOOD IN
RELATION TO THE MALAY HOUSE & SOUTHERN
CHINESE HISTORIC BUILDINGS
 THE
CURRENT STATE – ISSUES & CHALLENGES
 THE
FUTURE – STRATEGY FOR CONSERVATION
+
 Every
historical building or monument
contains a wealth of information. Its form is
a mine of stylistic history, and the remaining
traces of treatment its various elements
have undergone are a record of
technological history. Similarly, the wear
and tear it exhibits document a piece of
social history. Usually we are not aware of
how much information a historic building
contains.
Christoph Henrichsen, Historic Wooden Architecture in Japan
+ CONSERVATION ADVOCACY
HERITAGE OF MALAYSIA TRUST
 CONSERVATION
OF HISTORIC STRUCTURES AS A
PUBLIC REALM / ADVOCACY ACTIVITY – ORIGINS
IN BOTTOM UP CONSERVATION MOVEMENTS IN
WEST MAL AYSIA, 1983 (BWM) & 1986 (PHT).
 THE HERITAGE OF MALAYSIA TRUST (BADAN WARISAN
MALAYSIA) INVESTED TIME & MONEY TO CONSERVE
MANY HISTORIC STRUCTURES. EMPHASIS ON SAVING
TYPOLOGICAL, MALAY, VERNACULAR WOOD BUILDINGS
UNDER THREAT.
 CREATING AWARENESS AND PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR
CONSERVATION SO AS TO ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF
MALAYSIA’S BUILT HERITAGE.
LOCATION OF PROJECTS
BY BADAN WARISAN MALAYSIA
FIGURE 1
TYPOLOGIES OF THE MALAY HOUSE
Source: Lim Jee Yuan, The Malay House, Rediscovering
Malaysia’s Indigenous Shelter System, Institut Masyarakat, 1987.
THE TERENGGANU MALAY HOUSE
Source: The Terengganu Malay House, Raja Bahrin Shah bin Raja Ahmad Shah,
Badan Warisan Malaysia, 1988.
Model of the Terengganu Malay House
at Badan Warisan Malaysia
Source: Laurence Loh
VULGARISATION OF FORM
& MOTIFS THRU MAGNIFICATION
& DECONTEXTULISATION
+ THE RUMAH KUTAI, PERAK
Source: Badan Warisan Malaysia
THE RUMAH KUTAI, PERAK
RUMAH
PENGHULU
IN-SITU
RUMAH PENGHULU
Resited in the grounds
of Badan Warisan
Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
Honorable Mention, 2000 UNESCO
Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards
STRATEGY FOR CONSERVATION
Conference1986. Key Points Posed to Government
1. The local Malay House represents the earliest
vernacular samples of the use of purely local
materials in buildings
2. It reflects the high degree of skill and expertise
of local craftsmen in working the high quality
tropical timber and in making the intricate
joinery and delicate carving.
3. Local timber houses are fast disappearing due
to the harsh tropical conditions (of high
humidity and heat) and the owner’s own neglect.
4. The craftsmen and carpenters who are well
versed with the construction of these types of
houses are becoming a rare species. Lack of
demand for timber houses due to a preference to
build in bricks and mortar has made them lose
their skills at their former trade.
5. No proper and systematic records of these types
of houses, together with the sequence and
technique of construction have been kept for
future generations.
Source: The Terengganu Malay House, Raja Bahrin Shah,
Badan Warisan Malaysia, 1988
+ THE MALAY HOUSE,
REDISCOVERING MALAYSIA’S
INDIGENOUS SHELTER SYSTEM
Lim J.Y., Institut Masyarakat, 1987.
Reasons for demise of the Malay House:1. Erosion of confidence in indigenous technologies
& products & preference for Western models
2. Bias against wooden structures, best woods
exported
3. Archaic & stringent Fire By-laws
4. Higher insurance premiums for wood structures
& limited financing for potential owners
+ THE MALAY HOUSE,
REDISCOVERING MALAYSIA’S
INDIGENOUS SHELTER SYSTEM
5. Professional know-how limited, so design
inputs marginal
6. No research
7. Vulgarisation of the Malay House
8. Inappropriate use of modern materials
9. Diminishing resources & skills
10. Threat of By-Laws
11. Lack of protection in Statutory Plans
+ THE MALAY HOUSE: CURRENT
STATUS – ISSUES & CHALLENGES
 STANDARDS OF CONSERVATION PRACTICE ON PAR
WITH INTERNATIONAL EXPECTATIONS. UPFRONT
DOCUMENTATION GOOD. SKILLED ARTISANS &
DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT FOLLOW.
 LEGAL FRAMEWORK – LAWS & PLANS DO NOT
PROTECT RURAL OR COUNTRYSIDE SETTINGS &
PLACES. HISTORIC URBAN SETTINGS RESPECTED.
MOST WOOD STRUCTURES ARE FOUND IN RURAL
AREAS.
 FOLLOWS THAT NON-MONUMENTAL WOOD
BUILDINGS ARE NOT PROTECTED. ATTRITION RATE
HIGH WITH RAPID DEVELOPMENT.
 COST
OF MAINTENANCE & MATERIALS RELATIVELY
HIGH. EQUATION HAS CHANGED – WOOD ONCE THE
CHEAPEST MATERIAL & READILY AVAILABLE.
PERCEPTION IS WOODEN BUILDINGS ARE
IMPERMANENT & NOT WORTH SAVING AS THEIR
LIFESPANS ARE SHORTER THAN BRICK OR CONCRETE.
 PREJUDICE RELATED TO THE INGRAINED FEUDAL
MINDSET REFLECTED IN THE HISTORICAL BUILDING
HIERARCHY, RESULTING IN THE ‘SERVANT’
ARCHITECTURE BECOMING ‘UNLOVED’ HERITAGE.
 ECONOMIC POLICIES - HAVE CREATED NEW VALUES
WITH MASSIVE URBANISATION, EXEGGERATING THE
‘UNLOVED’ HERITAGE CONDITION.
 MUSLIM
INHERITANCE LAWS OFTEN RESULTS IN
MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP IN SUBSEQUENT
GENERATIONS. COST OF MAINTENANCE &
RESPONSIBILITY IS OFTEN CONTENTIOUS,
ESPECIALLY WHEN COUPLED WITH DETERMINATION
OF OWNERSHIP AND STATUS OF LAND.
 GENTRIFICATION TAKES THE FORM OF CULTURAL
CLUSTERS MASQUERADING AS BEACH RESORT
CHALETS & TOURISM SHOWCASES.
Source: Bonton Resorts Website
GENTRIFICATION
OF THE MALAY HOUSE:
 dismantling & relocation
 alternative uses-resorts
showpiece homes,
visitors centre, tourism
artifact
Source: Tanjong Jara Resort Website
GENTRIFICATION: TERRAPURI, TERENGGANU
Source: UNESCO Bangkok
+ REVISITING THREATS IDENTIFIED
IN 1987
1. Erosion of confidence in indigenous technologies
& products & preference for Western models
The situation has become even more pronounced
2. Bias against wooden structures, best woods
exported
No change
3. Archaic & stringent Fire By-laws
No change. For urban structures, limited waivers
4. Higher insurance premiums for wood structures
& limited financing for potential owners
No change
+ REVISITING THREATS IN 1987
5. Professional know-how limited, so design
inputs marginal
Some activity after publications, but no impact
6. No research
Universities research ongoing, Mubin Shepperd
Memorial Prize by Badan Warisan Malaysia.
7. Vulgarisation of the Malay House
Paradigm continues
8. Inappropriate use of modern materials
No change
+ REVISITING ISSUES IN 1987
9. Diminishing resources & skills
Situation has worsened
10. Threat of By-Laws
No change in status of laws
11. Lack of protection in Statutory Plans
Some attempts but no conviction as the challenge
appears insurmountable; difficult to legislate and
legitimise informal planning and non-readability;
no cultural-mapping and no inventory/listing
+  AFTER 23 YEARS, THE ISSUES & CHALLENGES
HAVE NOT DECREASED. AWARENESS HAS NOT
BEEN ACCOMPANIED BY INVESTMENT IN
RETENTION OF RESOURCES & SKILLS.
Source: BWM
8 HEEREN STREET, MALACCA – EARLY DUTCH SHOPHOUSE
AFTER RESTORATION
Source: BWM
+
THE HERITAGE OF WOOD OF SOUTHERN
CHINESE HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN
MALAYSIA, 2000 - 2015, CURRENT STATUS –
ISSUES & CHALLENGES
 TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN CHINESE
STRUCTURES –
PARADIGM SHIFT IN CONSERVATION STARTED WITH
CHEONG FATT TZE MANSION IN PENANG, 1990.
 IN TEMPLES,THE ROOF’S WOODEN STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
FOLLOWS THE TRADITIONAL METHOD WHERE NO
NAILS ARE USED. SIMILAR TO TRADITIONAL JAPANESE
CONSTRUCTION. IDEAL FOR DISMANTLING.
 RESTORATION
- USUALLY BACK TO THE ORIGINAL
STYLE AND FORM WHENEVER A CONSERVATION BEST
PRACTICE APPROACH IS APPLIED TO MAINTAIN
AUTHENTICITY.
+
THE HERITAGE OF WOOD OF SOUTHERN
CHINESE HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN
MALAYSIA – ISSUES & CHALLENGES
 RENEWAL IS A MIXED BAG - RANGES FROM
RESTORATION TO RENOVATION WITH NEW MATERIALS
& REBUILDING/NEW-BUILT FORMS, WITH LOSS OF
AUTHENTICITY. HOW TO ENCOURAGE RESTORATION?
 CRAFTSMEN & SKILLED CARPENTERS ARE NOT READILY
AVAILABLE. SPECIALISED TRAINING IS NOT PROMOTED
AS DEMAND IS NOT HIGH IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY.
 WOOD IS EXPENSIVE SO SUBSTITUTE MATERIALS ARE
PREFERABLE.
 NO SYSTEMATIC RECORDING. STATUTORY PLANS DO
NOT LIST THEM. THERE IS NO CLASSIFICATION UNDER
“WOODEN STRUCTURES” & NO POLICY FOR RETENTION.
CHEONG FATT TZE MANSION, PENANG
Most Excellent Project
2000 UNESCO AsiaPacific Heritage
Awards for Culture
Heritage Conservation
THE FRONT ELEVATION
DECORATIVE WOOD CARVING
CERAMIC CUT & PASTE
CHEONG FATT TZE MANSION RESTORED
VIEWS OF THE SIDE COURTYARD
SKILLED CARPENTRY
Source: Laurence Loh Akitek
CHENG HOON TENG, MALACCA, 2003 UNESCO HERITAGE AWARDS,
AWARD OF MERIT – CREATION & INSTALLATION OF NEW PURLINS
CHENG HOON TENG
ORIGINAL
TEMPLE
Source: Temple
Archives
SECTION OF PRESENT TEMPLE. EARLIER FOOTPRINT IN PINK
CHENG HOON TENG
ROOFING WORKS IN
PROGRESS
KHOO KONGSI OPERA STAGE, PENANG
MALAYSIAN
ARCHITECTS
AWARD 2000
Source:
Laurence
Loh Akitek
KHOO KONGSI OPERA STAGE
RESTORATION OF
DECORATIVE WOODEN
LATTICE SCREENS
THE CARPENTERS GUILD
Source: Laurence
Loh Akitek
THE TRADITIONAL CARPENTER’S APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM
NO LONGER SUSTAINABLE. MODERN CONSTRUCTION
METHODS & SKILLS EASIER TO ACQUIRE. NO GREAT NEED
FOR HIGHLY TRAINED WOOD WORKERS. MACHINES CAN
DO THE JOB FASTER & MORE CHEAPLY.
GABLE REPAINTED
KWAN IMM TENG
SELANGOR
MALAYSIA
FRESCOES
REPAINTED,
KWAN INN TENG
FRESCO
RESTORED,
KHOO KONGSI,
PENANG,
MALAYSIA
KWAN IMM TENG, SELANGOR - SAVED
+ THE MALAY HOUSE – THE FUTURE
Strategy for Conservation
 INVENTORY
– CULTURAL MAPPING, TAKING STOCK.
THE INVENTORY WILL REVEAL THE EXTENT OF
ABANDONED HOUSES. CREATE A RESCUE
PROGRAMME.
 COUNTRYSIDE PLANS – VILLAGE & RURAL SETTINGS
SHOULD BE CAPTURED IN STATUTORY PLANS WHICH
LEGITIMISE THEIR EXISTENCE & HERITAGE VALUES.
 THE GENTRIFICATION OF HOUSES, INCLUSIVE OF
THE PROCESS OF DISMANTLING & RESITING, IS A
PAINFUL BUT PROBABLE SOLUTION. MANY EXAMPLES.
LOCATION OF RUMAH KUTAI ON THE PERAK RIVER
Source: Anuar bin Talib, The Perak Kutai Asli Malay House: Form, Function & Meaning
 CONTINUITY
OF SKILLS & TRADITIONS/BELIEFS LINKED
TO CULTURAL PRODUCTION – UNREALISTIC. BETTER TO
UNDERTAKE EXTENSIVE VIRTUAL RECORDING.
 CREATE A SCHOOL OF WOOD LINKED TO PRODUCTION
OF GOODS FOR CONTEMPORARY CONSUMPTION,
MAINTENANCE OF COLLECTIONS OF TYPOLOGIES AS
ECOMUSEUMS – TERRITORY+HERITAGE+MEMORY
+POPULATION. RETENTION OF SPIRIT OF PLACE
 IDENTIFY & CONSERVE RURAL /CULTURAL LANDSCAPES
AS PART OF A LONG-TERM PLANNING STRATEGY TO
PRESERVE MALAY CULTURAL HERITAGE.
 CONTINUE ADVOCACY TO ENGINEER A BUY-IN.
 PROMOTE USE OF LOCAL MATERIALS AS A GREEN
STRATEGY
Source: Lim Jee Yuan, The Malay House, Rediscovering
Malaysia’s Indigenous Shelter System, Institut Masyarakat, 1987.
TANJONG TOKONG – SAVING A
VILLAGE/ CULTURAL LANDSCAPE 2009
Source:
Laurence
Loh
 PROPOSAL TO
ZONE A HISTORIC VILLAGE THAT
PREDATES THE PORT SETTLEMENT OF PENANG
(1786) AS A CONSERVATION AREA
MAPS OF GROWTH/CHANGES IN THE SETTING & THE
PROPOSED AREA CONSERVATION PLAN
TANJONG TOKONG – BEFORE RECLAMATION
Source: Early Postcards
RESTORATION OF EXISTING MALAY HOUSES ON SITE
AS PART OF THE AREA CONSERVATION STRATEGY
+ SOUTHERN CHINESE HISTORIC
BUILDINGS – THE FUTURE
 EMULATE CONSERVATION BEST PRACTICES ADOPTED
IN AWARD WINNING PROJECTS IN BUILDINGS OF THIS
GENRE.
 GREATER
POTENTIAL FOR CONTINUITY AS THE FORM,
FUNCTION & MODE OF CONSTRUCTION STAYS INTACT
DUE TO CONCEPT OF RENEWAL.
 ROOF SYSTEM – BUILT WITHOUT NAILS, ALLOWS FOR
REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENT OF PARTS THROUGH
PARTIAL DISMANTLING. REPLICABILITY ENCOURAGES
CONTINUITY & RETENTION OF KNOWLEDGE IN–SITU.
+ SOUTHERN CHINESE HISTORIC
BUILDINGS – THE FUTURE
 CONTINUE EXCHANGES WITH ARTISANS FROM CHINA
WHO ALSO ACT AS A FALL-BACK IF RESOURCES ARE
LACKING.
 MAINTAIN THE USE OF WOOD AS SOURCES OF
SPECIAL TIMBERS ARE STILL AVAILABLE, ALBEIT
MORE EXPENSIVE.
 ADVOCACY - CONTINUE TO EMPHASISE AUTHENTICITY
AS SUBSTITUTE MATERIALS SIMILAR TO THE ORIGINAL
ARE STILL AVAILABLE.
+
THE DICHOTOMY OF THE MODERN CONTEXT
Loss Irreversible
Buy time
Refocus
Plan
Loved heritage
Copyright reserved
by Laurence Loh.
No part of this
presentation is to
be reproduced
without the
author’s permission.
It was a privilege
& pleasure to share
this presentation
with you. Thank You.

For Laurence Loh`s presentation slides, click here

Transcription

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