Architecture of Malaysia

The Malaysian architectural style traditionally consists of Malay vernacular architecture, though modern contemporary architectural styles are prevalent in urban areas, there are style influences from Islamic, Chinese straits, Colonial architecture etc. New materials such as glasses and nails were brought in by Europeans, which changed the style.

The 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 cooling it. Wood has been the main building material for much of Malaysia’s history, it is used for everything. From the simple kampung to beautiful royal palaces. In Negeri Sembilan traditional houses are entirely free of nails. Other than wood, other common materials such as bamboo and leaves were used. The Istana Kenangan in Kuala Kangsar was built in 1926, and it is the only Malay palace made with bamboo walls. The Orang Asal of East Malaysia live in longhouses and water villages. Longhouses are elevated, and on stilts, and can offer shelter to 20 to 100 families. Water villages are also built on stilts but with the houses connected with planks and most transport by boats.

Until recent time it seems that wood was the principal material used for all Malaysian traditional buildings, however, many stone structures were also discovered particularly the religious complexes from the time of ancient Malay kingdoms. Throughout many decades, the traditional Malaysian architecture has been influenced by Buginese and Javanese from the south, Islamic, Siamese, and Indian from the north, Portuguese, British, Acehnese, Dutch and Minangkabau from the west and southern Chinese from the east.

The evidence of candi (pantheon) around south Kedah between the mount Jerai and the Muda valley, a sprawling historical complex known as Bujang Valley served as a reminder of the Malaysian pre-Islamic art. Within an area of about 350 square km, 87 early historic religious sites have been reported and there are, apparently 12 candis located on mountain tops, a feature which suggests may derive from pre-Islamic Malay beliefs regarding the sanctity of high places.

An early reference to Malaysian architecture can be found in several Chinese records, a 7th-century Chinese account informs of Buddhist pilgrims calling at Langkasuka and mentioned the city as being surrounded by a wall on which towers had been built and, was approached through double gates. Another 7th-century account of a special Chinese envoy to Red Earth Kingdom in West Malaysia, recorded that the capital city had 3 gates more than a 100 paces apart, which were decorated with paintings of female spirits and Buddhist themes.