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Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus School of Architecture, Building and Design (SABD) Asian Architecture [ARC60403 / ARC2234] Photobook for Case Study: Jonker Street, Melaka
Groupmates: Cheah Hoong Fei Cheong Siew Leong Chuah Wei Hong Phang June Ee Tan Wei How Yong Chang Theng
0311690 0310845 0310900 0311954 0310707 0310925
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Architecture ARC: Asian Architecture Project 2: Documentation Study
Table of content Introduction Brief History of Malacca Introduction to Jalan Hang Jebat Jonker Street
Culture & History By: Cheah Hoong Fei
Architectural Style By: Cheong Siew Leong
Openings & Fenestration By: Chuah Wei Hong
Chinese Architecture • Facade By: Phang June Ee
Decorative Art By: Tan Wei How
Street Architecture, Culture and Memories By: Yong Chang Theng
Map • Jonker Street
Introduction Brief History of Malacca Malacca was founded on year 1396 by Parameswara, a Palembang prince who fled the city after it was conquered by intruders. Legend said that he is determined to establish a city there after he witnessed a mouse deer kicked his hunting door into a river. Malacca is located in a strategic location between China and India, trading between the two nations enable the Malacca to act as an entrepot. Innovative administrative system and comprehensive port facilities have contributed to the success of the Malacca port. The flourishing Malacca Sultanate has attract the attention of foreign power who wish to have it under their control. On year 1511, Malacca fallen into the hand of Portuguese who owns advanced weaponry. Portuguese built the famous A Farmosa fort which is captured later by the Dutch. Dutch destroyed most of the Portuguese buildings and introduced theirs one. One of the most famous Dutch building is the Red House. Colonial nations and their power struggle for influences has caused Malacca changes hand for a few times from Japanese to British until it got its independence on 31 August 1957.
Introduction to Jalan Hang Jebat Jonker Street Jalan Hang Jebat, also famously known as Jonker Street is situated at the western bank of Malacca River. It is a five hundred meters long street lined with row house dated back to 17th Century. Historically, Jalan Hang Jebat can trace its history back to the Dutch Colonization period where it was once the dwelling for servant and subordinate of Dutch masters who lived at nearby Heeren Street or Jalan Tan Cheng Lock. During the Dutch occupation, it become a booming business street where wealthy Babas and Bibiks stay and setting up their trading there. The street is also famously known as Antique Street given its varieties of antique shops selling collectible item dating back to medieval age. Its close proximity to the Heeren Street, now Jalan Tan Cheng Lock has make it an ideal place for setting up business to attract the rich people. Moreover, influence of Babas and Bibiks have given the place a diverse cultural and ethnic flavor. Chinese influence is apparent on the street and it became informally known as Chinatown of Melaka. Today, it is a famous tourist attraction especially during the Friday, Saturday and Sunday night where the street is closed down from vehicle and night stalls will be set up. One will be able to enjoy the varieties of local foods, fashion, beauty accessories, souvenir, unique art and crafts all in one place. Jalan Hang Jebat is also where Hang Kasturi Mausoleum is located at. Hang Kasturi was a famous Malay warrior of Malacca Sultanate. Furthermore, the adjacent street, Jalan Tukang Emas, Jalan Tukang Besi and Jalan Tokong or simply known as Temple Street is famous for having the worship place of the three major races of Malaysia which are the Chinese, Malay and Indian. The worship places are known as Kampung Kling Mosque, Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and Xiang Lin Si Temple. Located within such a diverse and rich cultural context, it is inevitable that Jalan Hang Jebat has risen to become one of the most famous tourist attractions in Malacca.
Culture & History By Cheah Hoong Fei
Heritage encompasses people, places, practices and artifacts of enduring significance, beauty and value. Historic buildings are parts of built heritage. They are the product of much thought, philosophy, architectural, aesthetics and culture of the people. Malaysia has a rich legacy of buildings and monuments with outstanding craftsmanship and architecture quality. Together they form an impressive historic features and heritage of the past work of builders who are talented and skilled. Malacca is Malaysia’s Historical City. Culturally and socially, Malacca boast a history of port settlement and the result of some 600 years history has made Malacca a multicultural society and their presence is still very visible through the building heritage that are still standing. It is here in Malacca that one can still find buildings and monuments of historical significance where a very large number of splendid buildings and monuments demonstrating traditional Eastern and Western mixed architectural styles were built within the city wall. It is important to conserve and preserve historic buildings and monuments because it provides a sense of identity and continuity in a fast changing world for future generations.
Emotional During the Dutch Colonial, the locals were venting their hatred and contempt for the Dutch by constantly spitting the red discharge from chewing betel onto the white walls of the buildings. In order to cover these RED spits, the British simply painted the building terra cotta.
Caption and photograph by Cheah Hoong Fei
Realism The characteristics of these “Dutch” shop houses in Melaka have a narrow front due to the tax levied on the width of the façade by the Dutch government of Melaka. This was a typical “Dutch” feature because houses in the Netherlands have narrow façade as well. ��
Caption and photograph by Cheah Hoong Fei
Evidence Decorative influences of the Dutch architectural style can still be seen in the ornamental details of the tiles, faรงades and windows copings of many of the buildings in most of the streets in Malacca.
Caption and photograph by Cheah Hoong Fei
Pride The calligraphy carved board above the door represents the surname for a owner's family, even company. The Chinese architecture elements that are passed down from generations to generations.
Caption and photograph by Cheah Hoong Fei
Hierarchy The dragon and phoenix are the symbols of the status, authorities, treasure and emperor or the empress. The dragon and the phoenix often served in classical art and literature as metaphors for people of high virtue and rare talent.
Caption and photograph by Cheah Hoong Fei
Beliefs Inspired by moon gate, a traditional architectural element in Chinese gardens. The circle is an ancient “Ru Yi” symbol to the Chinese and they believed it will brings unity, peace�and happiness to the family.
Caption and photograph by Cheah Hoong Fei
Root Chinese practicing the Three Doctrinal Systems of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. This temple proclaim that this street has deep root as a place of settlement by Chinese immigrants and their descendants.ďż˝
Caption and photograph by Cheah Hoong Fei
Integration Inherited from traditional Chinese architecture style, it adopts feng shui characteristic which is to accumulate energy “qi” so that the occupants will have the best of luck. It also promote natural lighting and ventilation into this modern building.�
Caption and photograph by Cheah Hoong Fei
Harmony Cheng Hoon Teng Temple (Chinese), Kampong Kling Mosque (Muslims) and Sri Vinayagar Temple (Hindu) is an example that how different schools of religions and place of worship can co-exist closely.
Caption and photograph by Cheah Hoong Fei
Preservation Preserve and protect landscapes, buildings, and neighborhoods that have played a meaningful role in our past. It allows the future generations to be able to experience and discover their own connections to these places as well.
Caption and photograph by Cheah Hoong Fei
Architectural By Cheong Siew Leong
Style
Architectural Style of Jalan Hang Jebat or Jonker Street can be traced back to 17th Century. Starting with Dutch architecture with its gable roof form and moving on to Early Malacca Style shop house which feature terracotta U-shaped roof tiles, pitch roof with overhanging eaves, solid wood panel door and window. The overall design of the building is purely functional and without any ornamentation. Then, education and exposure to European culture has resulted in the influx of western decorative styles and materials. This marks the rise of Straits Eclectic Style which flourish from 1890s to 1940s. Western architectural features such as Venetian louvred window, Corinthian and Ionic column from Greek architecture can be seen. Since most of the owners of shop house are Chinese and therefore Chinese architecture elements are retained while mixing with the Western Architecture. Throughout the Eclectic Period, the style has evolved to become even more lavish due to the increase wealth of the Chinese businessmen. After that, post-war technological advancement especially cinema that popularized the Art Deco has managed to influence the shop house architectural style by introducing new design features such as Marseilles roof tiles, flagpole, strong vertical and horizontal line, stepped parapet wall, sea-green glass with metal frame and concrete material.
Timeless Aged Terracotta V-shaped clay roof tiles that are handmade where each piece is unique itself also contribute a rustic feel to the overall architecture.
Caption and photograph by Cheong Siew Leong
Symbolism Chinese decorative motif 'Guardian Lions' and bat are used to symbolize safeness and good fortune respectively.
Caption and photograph by Cheong Siew Leong
Art Deco Art Deco is represented through its geometrical design highlighting the horizontal and vertical lines along with flagpole.
Caption and photograph by Cheong Siew Leong
Dutch
Patrician
Dutch inspired gable is adopted for the front facade.
Caption and photograph by Cheong Siew Leong
Half-door Half-doors is installed in front of the main doors to protect the privacy during the day where the main doors is left opened for ventilation.
Caption and photograph by Cheong Siew Leong
Plain-Vanilla Long before the modernism movement, early Malacca house features only simple facade with functional elements such as window and doors.
Caption and photograph by Cheong Siew Leong
Strait
Eclecticism
Western influences are seen on the facade of a Malacca Townhouse in the pilaster, columns and the use of full length Venetian louver windows with fan light.
Caption and photograph by Cheong Siew Leong
Ying-Yang Traditional Chinese roof truss system Tou-Kung distributes the roof weight evenly which reflect the harmonious flow of energies expressed by Ying-Yang.
Caption and photograph by Cheong Siew Leong
Elegance Imported colorful glazed ceramic tiles are used on the wall of the facade which mostly is inspired by floral pattern.
Caption and photograph by Cheong Siew Leong
Doorway Traditional Chinese house front entrance facade features carved timber door and window with iron bars completed with bat-shaped vents, glazed tiles at dado level and Chinese calligraphy signage.
Caption and photograph by Cheong Siew Leong
Openings & Fenestration By Chuah Wei Hong
The definition of opening is the act or an instance of becoming open or being made to open. The buildings along Jonker Street has been influenced by many architectural styles. Therefore, there are different types of opening which are from different architectural culture. In Chinese Architecture, Windows are called the eyes and are related, on an energy level, and ability to see clearly in life. Besides, Front doors are very important in feng shui and Chineses Architecture, because the front door is also called the mouth of “Chi�. A house receives its feng shui nourishment of energy through the front door. The quality of this energy determines the quality of energy in your home. Lastly, A court or courtyard is an enclosed area, often a space enclosed by a building that is open to the sky. The Chinese courtyard is a place of privacy and tranquility, almost always incorporating a garden and water feature. It also allow more openings to brighten and ventilate the rooms.
Skylight Skylight is different from a courtyard. Smaller area, same height as the buildings surrounding it. Just as its name translated from Chinese language, “Sky well�, it allows dim light to lit up the space.
Caption and photograph by Chuah Wei Hong
Elegant Red walls, decorations and the wooden window frames that painted gold bring back the luxurious past of Chinese history.
Caption and photograph by Chuah Wei Hong
Verticality & Horizontality Windows and facade of Art Deco are designed to emphasize the verticality and horizontality.
Caption and photograph by Chuah Wei Hong
Framing the View The circular opening on the wall allows people to see through it and focus on the activities happening within it.
Caption and photograph by Chuah Wei Hong
Lively The contrast between red wall, red lanterns and white window panels is forming a sense of lively for the whole street.
Caption and photograph by Chuah Wei Hong
Protection The paintings on the door panels of the temple is to protect it from the invasion of the devils.
Caption and photograph by Chuah Wei Hong
Classic Full-length louvered windows with 3 dimension decorative plaster wall with intensive use of chinese decoration.
Caption and photograph by Chuah Wei Hong
Profile Looking from the inside of a temple, the silhouette of the ornamentation of the window created a sence of sacred.
Caption and photograph by Chuah Wei Hong
Transformation The fusion of Chinese and Dutch architecture created a brand new lifestyle. The door on the first floor can be opened, allowing views, light and ventilation at the same time protecting the privacy of the users.
Caption and photograph by Chuah Wei Hong
Pure Without fancy decorations, the windows bring back a sense of clean and honesty.
Caption and photograph by Chuah Wei Hong
Chinese Architecture•Facade By Phang June Ee
There are a lot of building that uses traditional Chinese architecture façade. Few of the examples would be family ancestral hall and huiguans. The role of clan associations or ‘huiguans’ in the history of Chinese in Melaka has been significant with regards to its political and economic contributions. The façade of these building has the features of traditional Chinese architecture. Traditional Chinese architecture façade has columns in front of it and uses curve roof with over-handing eaves. Besides, there are also some ornamentation on the façade and also columns. Some of the building also integrated other architecture style with traditional Chinese architecture. Although the architecture style of the façade is integrated with other styles, but some design features of the traditional Chinese architecture still can be found from the façade.
Monochromatic Traditional chinese architecture uses a lot of red color finishes or material as they believe that red color brings prosperity or luck to them.
Caption and photograph by Phang June Ee
Tranquility The appearance of the bamboo infront of the facade tends to give people a sense of peacefulness.
Caption and photograph by Phang June Ee
Synthesization The mixture between traditional chinese facade and modern architecture. The outcome results in a way that both still holds a bit of their own identity but mixed with each other in the same time.
Caption and photograph by Phang June Ee
Simplicity The design of the facade is considered as simple compared to those traditional chinese facade. Traditional chinese facade normally have lots of ornamentations on it.
Caption and photograph by Phang June Ee
Conservation The traditional chinese architecture facade is protected by a big shading over it.
Caption and photograph by Phang June Ee
Complexity The design of the facade is incorporated with few different architecture styles. The main architecture style is the the traditional architecture, incorporated with the dutch architecture style.
Caption and photograph by Phang June Ee
Camouflage The facade of the shoplot is hidden behind the traditional chinese architecture facade.
Caption and photograph by Phang June Ee
Religious The Guan Yin temple is a place where all the people come and pray to their god. Therefore, the facade of it uses back those traditional chinese architecture, with some ornamentations on the faรงade.
Caption and photograph by Phang June Ee
Intimacy The chinese temple is just located right beside one of the shoplots. Temples are usually isloated to show its uniqueness and holiness, but this temple is sticked with other building.
Caption and photograph by Phang June Ee
Modernity The facade of the whole building is built in a modern way. The entrance of the building is decorated in a traditional chinese architecture way.
Caption and photograph by Phang June Ee
Decorative By Tan Wei How
Art
The building along the Jonker Street has lots of decorative art on it. The decorative art includes the ornamentation of the building as well as sculptures. Different decorative art with different architectural style has different meaning of it. Some of the decorative art were influenced by the Chinese architecture. It could be traced back as the Chinese traders travelled to Malacca. Some of the building along Jonker Street has some roof ornaments on it, as it is influenced by the Chinese architecture. Besides that, some of the building also has some Chinese window screen with it. Different lightings are also used for different architectural style. Lantern is used in Chinese architecture and also considered as one of the decorative art of Chinese architecture. Another feature that Chinese architecture has is the columns in the front faรงade. The columns are decorated with different patterns and has the meaning for it. Vent blocks with some decorative art on it is also one of the design feature in Chinese architecture. The vent block serves multi-purposes. It can be for aesthetic purpose and also for ventilation purpose in the same time.
Blessings A Chinese poetic couplet Dui Lian attached on the temple faรงade with mellifluous and elegant language to express the greatness of the God.
Caption and photograph by Tan Wei How
Antique
Frame
The use of simple geometry lines and shapes to create antique and decorative grill for the opening with the chosen material of cast iron.
Caption and photograph by Tan Wei How
Dragon
Column
Mangzhu or Panlongzhu in Chinese located in front of the temple entrance for supporting the building. The dragon entwines the column, with the function of strengthening the sight and the meaning of welcoming visitors.
Caption and photograph by Tan Wei How
Celebration Bright red lanterns have become a symbol of Chinese Culture, the most popular way to add that spark to the celebrations, merging with the surrounded red flowers.
Caption and photograph by Tan Wei How
Crossover A combination of Chinese decoration- Lanterns and Dutch architecture creates a harmony effect for the building of San Shu Gong "House of Authentic Delicacies"
Caption and photograph by Tan Wei How
Functionality Decorative vent blocks that added on the building exterior wall encourage ventilation into the building as well as increasing the aesthetic value to the building.
Caption and photograph by Tan Wei How
Nostalgic
Sign
A signboard, which hung above the entrance door says Rui Xing in Chinese, signifies the shop name the most and giving a nostalgic memory to the atmosphere.
Caption and photograph by Tan Wei How
Monstrous
Ornament
A pair of colorful dragon sculptures added at either end of the main ridge as temple roof ornaments represented mythical beings and the owner's status in the hierarchy.
Caption and photograph by Tan Wei How
Silhouette Window screens decorated with a very striking antique wood carving of dragon in clouds from Chinese mythology create an interesting backlit silhouette effect.
Caption and photograph by Tan Wei How
Vitality Over time Chinese red lantern became a decorative and ornamental object, hung up at the main entrance of the house or business premises to invite prosperity, vitality and good luck.
Caption and photograph by Tan Wei How
S t r e e t a r c h i t e c t u r e, culture and memories By Yong Chang Theng
Memory is the mental faculty of retaining and recalling past experience. Our brain’s ability to alter memories lies at the heart of our basic human experience. The Street architecture is something that could be experienced and remembered. It can improve our understanding about the past and the happening that linked the others from different culture and background together. It creates memory to the people and architecture of a place seems like telling its own story. Different cultures and activities created memories among the people. We share our most powerful memories so that they grow with time rather than fade. Historical buildings on the street should be well preserved as the memories behind are beyond price. It is the soul and identity of the place, reminding us of what shaped the place today.
Serenity of the Street The street gives a feeling of calm and peaceful. A person was cycling peacefully along this quiet street.
Caption and photograph by Yong Chang Theng
Blending of architecture They are various architecture styles on the street. Brutalism architecture with the new 7-eleven shop can be seen on the street.
Caption and photograph by Yong Chang Theng
Chinese Temple The elements of weighty saddled roof, domineering dark timber beams and beautifully carved wood work have been significant for the current temple.
Caption and photograph by Yong Chang Theng
Traditional Chinese Herbal Tea Stall It is the traditional way of selling herbal tea by the roadside. This job was passed down from generations. Nowadays, lack of younger people wanting to continue this job. This traditional way of selling herbal tea may be disappear in future.
Caption and photograph by Yong Chang Theng
Reminiscence The shop house was influenced by Chinese architecture. Traditional Chinese signboard gives a sense of vintage appeal value to the overall architecture. The Chinese architecture elements are passed down from ancestors. It reminds people of old times.
Caption and photograph by Yong Chang Theng
Western architecture influence Colonial architecture was found in Jonker Street. It is very outstanding among the other shops on the street.
Caption and photograph by Yong Chang Theng
Where old met
new
The new boutique shop blend in harmoniously with the old tailor shop.
Caption and photograph by Yong Chang Theng
Chinese Lanterns Traditional Chinese red lanterns are popular decorative elements among Chinese. According to Chinese culture, these lanterns symbolize happiness, celebration, rejuvenation and hope.
Caption and photograph by Yong Chang Theng
Distinctive culture In old times, Chinese people believed that posting portraits of door gods could keep bad spirits away. This culture was passed down from China to Malacca and it was very popular among Chinese people. Door gods were divinities of Taoists to guard doors and they were even included into gods worshipped by Taoists, who would perform sacrificial rituals in honour of them. It was believed that the door gods could also bring the owner good luck and peace. They usually posting door god portraits during Chinese New Year.
Caption and photograph by Yong Chang Theng
Start and End One of the old Chinese saying, “ Always has a good start and a good ending�. The sign of Jonker Walk was seen in the end of the Street. It marks the start or the end of people walking there.
Caption and photograph by Yong Chang Theng
Map • Jonker Street