Kinta Valley, Perak was once famous for its tin mining production during the tin mining rush era (1884-1895). More specifically, Tanjung Tualang Dredge No.5 (TT5) which is the last remaining tin mining dredge in Malaysia, was built by the British company – F.W.Payne & Son. for Southern Malayan Tin Dredging Ltd. This heavy industrial machine was closed due to the tin market crash of 1985, while facing threat to be dismantled due to its high scrap metal value. When abandoned heritage buildings/structures that are not conserved well, they will ultimately either be ruined into further decay or torn down by money-driven capitalists. Fortunately, in 2015, Menteri Besar Incorporated Perak (MB Inc.) was mandated by the Perak State Government to conserve TT5 and the surrounding sites. TT5 also proclaimed as part of the Kinta Valley National Geopark in 2018.
The purpose of this project is to seek for creative architectural solutions of preserving Kinta Valley’s mining industrial heritage.
