I S I S I S TTTAAANNNAAA Budaya M A L A Y S I A N A T I O N A L A R T G A L L E R Y & T H E A T R E B S R 6 0 3 : B U I L D I N G D E S I G N & C O N S E R V A T I O N
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T 01 02 04 06 08 12 Editor’s Note Historical Background Characteristics Interior Design Materials ISTANA BUDAYA Conclusion
EDI T OR’ S N O T E Prepared By: Muhammad Amir Syahir Bin Mohd Zaidi (2022912233) Prepared For: Sr. Dr. Robiah Abdul Rashid Course: BSR603 AP229 5A Case Study: Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new." Bismillah Assalamualaikum. My name is Muhammad Amir Syahir Bin Mohd Zaidi. This is my case study which is Istana Budaya. As we unveil the latest edition of Amir’s Magazine, I’m very excited to showcase the diverse tapestry of creativity and expertise within the realm of architecture and construction. This issue is a celebration of historical background, architectural style, elements, fabrics and conservation process. Whether you're an architect, engineer, developer, or simply passionate about the built environment, we hope you'll find inspiration and valuable insights within these pages. Thank you for joining on this journey of exploration and discovery. Warm regards, AMIR SYAHIR 01
Historical Background Historical Background The Istana Budaya or also known as the Palace of Culture, is Malaysia's main venue for all types of theatre including musical theatre, operetta, classical concerts and opera from local and international performances. The idea of this theatre began with the proposal in 1964 to establish a cultural centre. The construction work began in 1995 and was completed three years later. It was built at a cost of RM210 million with a theatre floor area of 21,000 m² as part of the 54,400 m² cultural complex. The Istana Budaya was officially opened in 1999 by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad. 02
Upon completion, the former national theatre, Panggung Negara was relocated to this new building. Istana Budaya is the home of the Residence Artists (Dance); the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and the Orchestra Traditional Malaysia (OTM). The Istana Budaya theatre hall Panggung Sari, with its unique design of royal boxes inspired by the windows of the traditional Rumah Melayu or Malay house, can accommodate an audience of up to 1,408 people. Istana Budaya aims to raise the standards of performing arts, develop artistic excellence in theatre, popularise high-quality theatre productions and develop a higher sense of artistic appreciation. 03
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND STYLE OF THE BUILDING ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND STYLE OF THE BUILDING The building was designed by the local architect firm, ADC ARCHITECT SDN. The inspiration for the design is based on a traditional moon kite in flight. The turquoise folds on the roof and the intricate design of the foyer are just two of the interesting features of the building. Istana Budaya's architecture has intrigued experts and academics. 04
The main building takes the shape of the sirih junjung, a traditional arrangement or a present made of betel leaves used during Malay wedding and welcoming ceremonies. As in a traditional Malay house, the building is divided into three areas: ·The serambi (lobby and foyer) ·The rumah ibu (main house) as the auditorium ·The rumah dapur (kitchen) as the stage and rehearsal hall. 05
06 The uniqueness of ISTANA BUDAYA architecture is based on the concept of several aspects of Malay culture. If seen from above, the ISTANA BUDAYA building is shaped like a Kelantan kite. The shape of the building is like sirih junjung, which is the symbol of the initiator of the ceremony which is often used in Malay wedding ceremonies and welcoming ceremonies. INTERIOR DESIGN INTERIOR DESIGN Panggung Sari is able to accommodate 1408 people at a time, including 788 people (1n the Balai Sari Penghadapan located on the first floor. While Balai Sari Utama can accommodate 328 on the second floor and 292 people at Balai Sari Peninjau on the third floor. All seats are numbered. There are small lights on the floor to make it easier for spectators to identify their seats.
The interior was constructed using local resources such as Langkawi's marble and high-quality tropical wood for the doors crafted by hand to shape flowers and leaf motifs. The verdant carpets in the entrance hall and lobby feature cempaka flower and the banyan tree, inspired by traditional Malay opera or Mak Yong. 07 The building has the concept of a Malay house with three main parts – a foyer for the lobby, the mother house for Panggung Sari, as well as a kitchen house for the main stage and rehearsal hall. While the stairs to Panggung Sari use the concept of the traditional stairs of the Malay house of Melaka The main entrance to Panggung Sari symbolizes the main entrance to Balairong Seri Istana Kesultanan Melayu in the past. The theater lobby on the third floor resembles the design of a rebana ubi, a traditional Malay drum. Once you are in Panggung Sari, it is as if you are in a palace in the past. Anjung dignitaries on the right and left use the concept of Malay house windows.
I S TA NA I S TA NA I S TA NA B U D A YA B U D A YA B U D A YA 08 MATERIALS GLASS WALL Tempered glass which is transparent created an open and positive environment to welcome the visitors. Large tempered glass made the building stands out as the building built in the era of modernism and makes the space stylish and elegant while allowing maximum light penetration CONCRETE WALL & COLUMNS The most common yet vital building material in our daily life-concrete is also used in Istana Budaya. Painted in white and grey, numerous similar short columns arranged in the exterior facade represent Malay traditional house design. It is obvious that Istana Budaya blends both traditional and modern architectural design. TILED ROOF Blue tiled roof with natural thermal mass insulation properties is shaped into sharp edges extending outwards and arranged in repetition and hierarchy manner. 08
I S TA NA I S TA NA I S TA NA B U D A YA B U D A YA B U D A YA 09 WOOD DOORS High-quality tropical wood with hand-carved flowers and leave designs have been used for doors. PEBBLE-WASH FLOORING Pebble wash is used in the flooring and staircases of the exterior of Istana Budaya because of its durability and wonderful color. Some are arranged into floral and geometrical pattern to improve the aesthetics of the floor finishing. 09
I S TA NA I S TA NA I S TA NA B U D A YA B U D A YA B U D A YA 10 CARPET FLOORING The flloring of Panggung Sari is made up of wollen carpet consisting of 80% wool, 20% nylon. The carpet plays a vital role in absorbing sound, preventing echo. CARPET FLOORING The wall surfaces and balconies in Panggung Sari are made of timber panels of “merbau” wood. The wall reflects many traditional elements of the culture of Malaysia. The wood carvings enhance the visual beauty while displaying traditional vernacular motifs in reflection of Malay local culture. Its royal boxes open up like traditional Malay-style windows.
I S TA NA I S TA NA I S TA NA B U D A YA B U D A YA B U D A YA 11 FIBERGLASS REINFORCED GYPSUM Panggung Sari uses fiberglass reinforced gypsum (FRG) ceiling board with a thickness range of 38mm to 50mm. Regular gypsum board will be too thin for most purposes in concert hall acoustics. FRG has the ability to dampen sound transmission by using the inner polymer layer as a kind of shock absorber that slows vibration. MARBLE TILES Marble tiles can be found in Istana Budaya. For example, the floors and staircase in the Lobby are covered with marble tiles from Langkawi.
CONCLUSION Istana Budaya is a national theatre which located at northeast of Malaysia. It was built in the year of 1995 and completed in September 1997. In terms of form and shape, the distinctive architectural style of Istana Budaya is inspired by a fusion of diverse aspects of Malay culture. Istana Budaya has raised the standards of performing arts in Malaysia. It not only developed artistic excellence in theatre for our country but it has also popularise state-of-the-art, high quality theatre productions. This results in our country developing a supreme sense of artistic appreciation. Istana Budaya provides a home for Malaysia’s performers to shine such as the National Symphony Orchestra and choir. 12
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