SITE 1_KARYA ASTETIKANYA_FinalRPT_ARCH2230Mar21

SEMESTER MARCH 2021

RUMAH
TANGSI

In this report: MEASURED DRAWING
AND REPORT
THE HISTORY OF
RUMAH TANGSI ARCH 2330

The heritage of the past is the
seed that brings forth the harvest
of the future.

BY KARYA
ASTETIKANYA

HERITAGE IS TIME’S INHERITANCE,





ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We are second year students from the Infrastructure University of Kuala
Lumpur (IUKL) beneath the Bachelor of Science (Architectural Studies)
design programme and would love to increase our appreciation to people
who have been involved in helping us to conduct and complete this module.
First and foremost, all of our group members would love to express our
gratitude to our lecturer, Madam Anna Kamelia Binti Kamarudin who has
helped and guided us the most. This includes the kindness of obtaining the
statement letter to conduct the visit at the Rumah Tangsi and having the
initiative of giving comments weekly.

First and foremost, we give our praises and thanks to the Almighty, for His
blessings we are able to complete the report successfully. We also would like
to give our special thanks to all of the group members who provided
experience that extremely aided in completing the report and the drawings.
Without their cooperation, we will not be able to generate the report with the
best result.

Furthermore, we would like to thank our parents and family who always
support and encourage us from the beginning until we finish the report. We
also would like to be grateful to Madam Anna Kamelia Binti Kamarudin as
our tutor for giving us guidance and suggestions in order to improve the
report. Her perception and motivation greatly inspired us to have an
incredible idea.

ABSTRACT

The following report was obtained for the completion of the Measured Drawings
module, that documents the analysis, analysis and measured drawings of the Rumah
Tangsi in Malaysian capital. The knowledge assortment containing the building
measurements, historical data and visual documentation were conducted by our
entire cluster of ten design students from Infrastructure University of Kuala Lumpur
(IUKL). The building was completed in 1905 and was referred to as Loke Hall as a
city residence for Kuala Lumpur's noted business person, Mr. Loke Chow Kit. The
building portrays a novel design vogue, that is NeoClassical-Eclectic vogue. The
house combines European architectural style with Chinese house arrangement and
regularly ostentatious ornamentation. Despite the actual fact that the building has
undergone many changes throughout the decades.

ABOUT US

Karya Astetikanya is Malay for Appreciation of Art, and our team is divided into
three major subgroups for this project; The Fieldwork Team, The Research
Team, and The Media Team

Each group was assigned a specific duty in order to gather the required details
about the Rumah Tangsi building, such as general drawings and other relevant
researched material.

TEAM MEMBERS

Tesarina Gomme Sharir Rahman Widya Purnama
(193921447) (201021764) (193921463)
Team Leader
Fieldwork Team Research Team

Nurfarhana Deevyah Raymed Dk Naiemi Nabillah
(193021521) (182920126) (193921619)
Media Team
Fieldwork Team Research Team

Anaqi Syahmi Nur Aisya Asyikin Mahmood Mohanad
(193021531) (193021375) (183920347)
Media Team
Research Team Research Team

Omar Abinasar
(181919861)

Fieldwork Team

IN THIS ISSUE

9 INTRODUCTION 41 ARCHITECTURAL
CHARACTERISTICS
Introduction, Learning
Outcomes & Limitations

10 STEPS OF FIELD Building Spatial Typology,
Building Layout, Building
WORK 46 Orientation, Spatial
Relationship
Pre-site visit, Site Visit, Post
site visit, Tools & Equipments STRUCTRURAL
used
COMPONENTS

17 HISTORICAL Columns, Capitals &
BACKGROUND Balusters, Floorings,
Staircase & Ceilings.
Building Background, Site
Background & Timeline 51 MATERIALS AND
CONSTRUCTION
25
ARCHITECTURAL
54 CONCLUSION
STYLE OF BUILDING
56 MEASURED
Architectural Style, DRAWINGS
Characteristics of Neoclassical,
Examples of Neoclassical 67 SUMMARY &
Buildings. RECOMMENDATIO
NS
31 ARCHITECTURAL

ELEMENTS

36 BUILDING

INTERIORS

Ground Floor & First Floor

BY KARYA ASTETIKANYA

LEARNING
OUTCOMES

The aim of this project is to
produce and obtain the set of
measured drawing of Rumah
Tangsi, as well as documenting
the architectural and cultural
significance of our chosen site.

INTRODUCTION Our team is required to
produce the key plan, location
by Karya Astetikanya plan, floor plans, elevations,
sections, site plan as well as
Rumah Tangsi is a heritage building that is located detailed drawings. These
at number 10 Jalan Tangsi, Tasik Perdana Kuala drawings are all scaled and
Lumpur. The building design is involved by British done according to the existing
which is not familiar during the 1900s. The spaces site.
of this building consist of gallery, foyer, gift room,
control room, locker, courtyard, hall area, toilet Not only that, our group is also
(men and women), surau, meeting room, office, required to produce further
utility room, waiting area, open yard, AV room, research to highlight the
pantry, and private area. Outside of this building, history, cultural and design
there is a car park space. concept of the Rumah Tangsi.

For this project, we are required to produce a few Limitations
sets of drawings for the building that we have
specifically chosen, which is Rumah Tangsi. We Limitations during the project
chose Rumah Tangsi not only because of its are surely unavoidable.
outstanding facade, however it also because of its Nevertheless, we were able to
beautiful history and its architectural importance. overcome it.

For the measuring team, the

first problem would be,

distance. Some team members

lived quite far from the

assigned building. The cost for

commute to site by grab, were

much more expensive for

them. Secondly, it was quite

difficult for the measuring

team to visit the site as

lockdown was still happening.

Lastly, difficulties in

measuring as some parts of the

Rumah Tangsi require

measurements that are too

high up. For the research team,

sources of information and

research for Rumah Tangsi are

not as many as expected, which

definitely limits us in terms of

documentations and analysis.

Page 09

STEPS OF
FIELD WORK

The field work was conducted in
three (3) different phases.

PRE-SITE VISIT

1 Team Leader met with the
the lecturer who was in
charge of the site visits to
get the permission letter to
access the site.

2 The team did some research
about the chosen building
before visiting the site and
set up the schedule to
conduct the field work.

3 The Fieldwork Team was
split into two (2) groups in
which four (4) people were
involved in measuring and
sketching tasks whilst the
other two (2) were positioned
in the Media Team.

MAY 2019 - ISSUE 1 Page 11

SITE VISIT

1 On the day of the site visit,
the Fieldwork Team had a
discussion on the tasks they
will be focusing on.

2 The Fieldwork Team had a
small talk with Ar. Ahmad
Ridha, the Community
Planner of Rumah Tangsi in
which he briefly talked
about the building progress
and the events they are
working on.

The Media Team was in-

charge of taking the visual

documents and the group

process. While the Measuring

& Sketching Team was in-

charge of taking the

3 measurements on both

exterior and interior parts.

Although both sub-teams had

specific tasks to work on,

each of the, also had to take

pictures of the details they

were sketching and

measuring for their own

reference for the CAD

drawing

4 At the end of the day, both
sub-teams compiled their
work and ensured that all
data had been collected.
Discussed with our tutor
about what to improve of
what to do next.

Page 12



POST-SITE VISIT

1 The Fieldwork Team

produced the detailed

drawings of the building so

that the Research Team

could proceed with their

tasks in doing the magazine.

WORK PROGRESS

The progress for our Measuring
Team in taking all the
information started with a site
visit and ended in the usage of
cad application. After the visit,
research team as well as media
team do their work after
reeiving the informations.

METHODOLOGIES

Various approaches were done
in order to collect data and to
complete the research for the
Rumah Tangsi. Our team was
composed of 9 members and
was divided into several groups,
that are : 1. Research group, 2.
Measuring group, and 3. Media
group.

The research method was
mainly done via online material
and publications that are
obtained via the limited
resources from the internet.
Research findings and photos
from the site were all compiled
in the same google drive folder,
which is accessible for all group
members, hence providing ease
of access.

P a Pgaeg e 1030

GROUP MEMBERS ON SITE

Tools& equipment used

For surveying:- our team used basic phones to documents the features that
measuring tape the one with 5M are needed to be recorded like the
metal tape which can fit in the pocket shape of the windows and the exterior
of a normal civic person, they used a and interior of the building. we used
leaser measure to to measure the google images to find some pictures
places that are quite hard to reach that otherwise it's quite hard to be
with better accuracy. taken on site.

USING PAPER TO TRACE THE CARVINGS

USING MEASURING TAPE TO MEASURE ON THE STAIRCASE
THE INTERIOR & EXTERIOR OF RUMAH
Pens and pencils were used to mark
TANGSI the reset and checkpoints. No site visit

A simple measuring tape were also can be done without the old useful
used, to take the dimension of doors, notepad, it has been used to write
windows, and almost all the interior notes and draw rough shapes.

spaces. Butter paper were also used on site as

For note taking:- our team used it is much easier for the measuring

notebooks to take the notes that they team to trace over some sculpture and

see required to be taken and they art which had been placed on the

used the camera on their mobile slabs, walls, and doors.

Page 15

Lastly, for safety precautions, As precautions are needed to be
this building is already an existing done, ie, social distancing,
building, which is not under
construction or maintenance, wearing face masks, and
hence our team just follow the practicing a high standard of
simple precautions on-site, which hygiene such as sanitizing your
is the basic "just be aware of your hands frequently. The site-visit
surrounding and manage your team booked the visit earlier,
steps". Not only that, the site visit hence it was not crowded and it is
happened during the covid-19 much easier for them to measure
pandemic so more safety the Rumah Tangsi.

Page 16

HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND

Building Background, Site
Background & Timeline.

3. BUILDING APPRAISAL

Historical Background

As Chow Kit & Co was expanding Chow Kit's initial land purchase
rapidly,Chow Kit & Co, his company, was application covered approximately 1.7
rapidly expanding. Chow Kit decided to acres. It was intended for the construction
relocate his family and business from his of townhouses for government officials as
country home in Ampang Road, well as for his own department store
Desswood, to the town centre. This was employees. He did, however, build his
most likely done to reduce travel time mansion first, followed by the townhouses
and improve logistical connectivity a few months later.
between his home and his business in
town. As a wise entrepreneur and an ally Loke Hall's construction began in 1907.
of the British government officials. Chow Loke Chow Kit was inspired to build this
Kit managed to buy a large piece of land home while travelling through Europe
on Barrack Road, Section 59, near the with Loke Yew in 1903. He then named
police barracks. Most of Barack Roads Loke Yew as the developer and A.K.
was still under construction at the time. Moosdeen was the architect, who was also
In the north and south, there were one of Loke Yew's favourite architect due
pockets of development, such as the to his work on the Chow Kit & Co Dept
Kuala Lumpur Rest House. Store.

Page 18

Building Background of Rumah Tangsi

Rumah Tangsi or Loke Chow Kit's are also maintained in their design as
an added value and art of the entire
Mansion formerly known as Loke heritage of Rumah Tangsi.

Hall was originally a town house of A variety of small and large-scale
events and activities were held here,
Kuala Lumpur’s renowned all of which integrated cultural
elements adapted to the modern
businessman, Loke Chow Kit, who is lifestyle. Weddings, conferences,
business meetings, and other events
a municipal councillor and an are all possible here. There are,
however, some terms, conditions, and
entrepreneur in the field of mining. guidelines that must be followed. Due
to the building's age, maintenance is
The mansion was occupied in 1905 in still a problem. Nothing can be nailed
to the walls, and cleaning materials
a luxury British residential area must be used. Exhibits have been
here using a variety of partition walls,
during the British colonial era, and it ranging from boards to glass.

is said to be the only building owned

by locals in the area known as the

European Quarter. It was later

adapted as the Empire Hotel in 1908

and the Peninsular Hotel. After a

repair process that took almost two

years, Rumah Tangsi was gazetted as

National Heritage in 2012.

This 2-storey sprawling mansion Ownership of building
design is heavily influenced by
British elements that are not Loke Chow Kit was the man who
unfamiliar in 1900. Still retaining its
original architecture, this house build this historical building. He was
consists of the main living room,
courtyard, art gallery space, office, a graceful and stylish man. A Straits-
meeting room and patio. Covering an
area of 5000 square feet, there is also bom Chinese merchant, who rose
a car parking space and can
accommodate up to 350 guests at a through the ranks of high society by
time. Offering a variety of spacious
indoor and outdoor spaces, Rumah making friends with royal families
Tangsi still retains its original
features and architecture. For and British residents, high-ranking
example, windows, courtyards, floor
tiles, wooden stairs, doors and more. officials, well-known local
Even in the back room of the house
there are wells and special paths that businessmen, and those from around

the globe.

He was the first Chinese man to build
and own a mansion in Kuala
Lumpur's European neighbourhood,
which was home to high-ranking
British officials.

Page 19

TIMELINE OF THE
BUILDING

1903 LOKE HALL

Tender and building construction started;
Chow Kit and his family moved in.

1908 1908 EMPIRE HOTEL

Leased from Loke Chow Kit;
Empire Hotel started operations on 31st
December 1908;
Leased from Alan Loke until 31 December
1941.

1942 JAPANESE MILITARY HOTEL

During Japanese occupation from 1941 to
1945.

1948 HEADQUARTERS MESS
for the Second Guards Brigade.

1957 PENINSULA HOTEL
Operated after Malaya gained independence;
Peninsula Hotel closed operation in early
1970s.

1972 PAM BUILDING

Leased to the Malaysian
Institute of Architects from Alan Loke Estate
Ownership changed hands to Kuala Lumpur
City Hall in 1982

2012 LOT 10 JALAN TANGSI
The MIA vacated the site on June 2012
The building was listed as “Heritage” on 10th
August 2012, by the Department of National
Heritage

Page 20

LOKE HALL, on the north. Its annex block
1903 TO 1908 housed a suite of offices for his
mining ventures in addition to
On 20th March 1903, the permit acting as a townhouse. Chow Kit,
to build a mansion at Chow Kit on the other hand, only lived at
was approved by the Sanitary this house for about a year.
Board Office. The land was Perhaps he realised it was not
backed by the hills, and faced suitable for him and changed his
Barrack Road, the padang, the mind. After all, Chow Kit had a
Government Offices, the Church 22-acre orchard at Jalan Ampang
of England, beyond which was the that he called "Desswood Place"
river. It followed the Chinese after a road in Aberdeen,
Fengshui, in which a geometric Scotland.
arrangement of ‘back to the hills
and face to the rivers’ was said to In 1905, the building was highly
bring wealth, good health and praised when the construction was
prosperity to the home. The completed. Chow Kit became the
invitation to tender for the first Chinese man to live within
construction of the mansion was the European community in the
then announced two months later. centre of town. The Selangor
Club, a sporting institution and a
The design of this mansion was meeting place exclusive for those
influenced in part by Loke Chow of high societal standing, was just
Kit's observations while on a 1903 a few doors down the road, The
European tour with Loke Yew. club was European-dominated
After that, he appointed Loke Yew and Chow Kit was one of the few
as the developer and A.K. Chinese members.
Moosdeen as the architect.
A.K.Moosdeen was also one of
Loke Yew's favourite architects,
A.K. Moosdeen was also
responsible for the design of the
Chow Kit & Co Dept Store and a
row of three-storey shophouses at
the Old Market Square.

Loke Hall was constructed with
stables and a carriage house as
well as a yard and an office annex
on the north. Its annex block

Page 21

Loke Hall when it served as Empire Hotel between 1909 and 1919

On the left, shows an image of Loke Chow Kit. On the right shows
an image of a 1907 town house that was constructed for Loke
Chow Kit,

Page 22

EMPIRE HOTEL, 1903 TO 1908 &
PENINSULA HOTEL,
1908 TO 1970S

The Empire Hotel Company Ltd took  FEATURED STORIES | 43
over Loke Hall on a long lease in early
1909, with various additions and Page 23
modifications, it was equipped into one
of the most modern hotels, according to
the Straits Times of 9 January 1909. This
remained so, for 10 years. The Empire
Hotel was one of the most popular hotels
among the affluent travellers, especially
those from Europe. The hotel was
strategically located at the focal point of
the city due to its proximity to the Kuala
Lumpur Railway Station and situated
opposite the Selangor Club while the
railway track once ran right in front of
the hotel entrance.

In 1916, the ownership of Loke Hall
fell to Alan Loke (Alan Loke Wan
Wye), son of Loke Yew, who had
bought the deed after the death of his
renowned father. In 1919, the Empire
Hotel was then renovated and became
Peninsula Hotel. It survived until
1970.

During its time as a hotel, Loke Hall
appeared much more opulent and
lavish. It also became a popular
meeting and lodging spot for
colonials, planters, and tin and trading
venture members. Unfortunately, due
to intense rivalry and changing socio-
economic conditions, a gradual
decline soon set in.

PAM CENTRE, 1972 TO 2012

After being vacant for several years, communicating public concern to the
PAM (Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia,
the Malay acronym for Malaysian Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur
Institute of Architects) took over the
tenancy on a two-year lease in 1973, (DBKL), or KL City Hall. As a result,
and the townhouse block became
known as PAM Centre. The estate of DBKL agreed to acquire Loke Hall.
Alan Loke gave PAM notice to vacate
the premises in February 1981, stating On December 24, 1983, the late Tan
that it had been sold to Intan
Development Sdn Bhd for new Sri Dato' Elyas Omar, the then Datuk
development. The PAM Centre and
the surrounding properties, which Bandar (Mayor), wrote to PAM
were also part of Loke Hall, were
slated for demolition by the requesting restoration and
developer.
refurbishment.

Since then, PAM has served as both
the ‘tenant Architect" and "custodian"
of this building which was gazetted
under the

The proposal to demolish Loke Hall
and rebuild the site drew much
public concern. PAM took
action to save the PAM Centre by

Antiquities Act. PAM has met its
obligations to maintain the building
in a good state of repair and restore it
in the manner of a model
"conservation" and "adaptive reuse"
project.

PAM occupied this stately mansion
from 1973 until mid-2012, when
DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall)
released a notice requesting that PAM
vacate the premises because it had its
own plans for alterations.

Page 24

ARCHITECTURAL
STYLE

Architectural Style, Characteristics of
Neoclassical, Examples of Neoclassical

Buildings.

Many modifications had

occurred, causing the

original concept to deviate.

To avoid losing its

significant attributes,

architectural elements such

as sill profiles, capitals,

architraves, and existing

staircases were meticulously

documented. Each of the

original floor tile designs

was drawn and catalogued

ARCHITECTURAL although it was not
STYLE
necessary to replace it.

Straits Eclectic Style : Neo-classical & Neo-Classical
Renaissance
Neoclassical architecture, to
The facade of Rumah Tangsi is characteristic of the be described briefly, is
Straits Eclectic style. The architectural style emerged actually characterised by
in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The style grandeur of scale and the
blends Eastern and Western elements, introducing simplicity of geometric
ceramic artwork and intricate plaster renderings. The forms, like the Roman
elements of neo-classical and Renaissance details; dramatic use of
architecture were prominently displayed. columns, and a preference
for blank walls.
The building has been influenced by Loke Chow Kit’s
observations of European architectural style when he Renaissance
was on a tour of Europe in 1903 with Loke Yew.
Featuring the style of an Italian Villa with an interior Renaissance architecture
courtyard, the building consists of two separate units, considered as European
one of which resembles a typical shophouse (Figure ?)
except for the elaborate decoration on the gable and architecture during the
the other section is reminiscent of Palladian villas early 15th Century. It shows
typically built for the colonial administrators. The a conscious revival and
center block reminiscent of Palladian Villa is flanked development of elements of
by small structures resembling a typical shophouse classical thought and
appearance. culture.

Renaissance has façades that
are symmetrical around
their vertical axis. For
instance, church façades are
generally surmounted by a
pediment and organised by
a system of pilasters, arches,
and entablatures .

Page 26

CHARACTERISTICS OF
NEOCLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE

The building has a big scale
Using simple geometric form such as square and circle

The floor plan is symmetrical
The building is built to achieve perfection as Greek and Roman

architecture
The roof are usually flat or using dome

The garden also use geometric form
Use minimum decorations
Built in 1800s

BUILDINGS WITH NEOCLASSICAL
STYLE AROUND THE WORLD

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Constructed within the early 1900’s this contemporary building was
rigorously crafted to mirror a pure Palladian aesthetic. Soaring
marble columns, plain moldings and pillars, and heritage building
materials (stone blocks, brick, and marble) unite to make one among
the best samples of modern Neoclassicism in America. The complex
surrounding the large Dome is a noteworthy mixture of variations on
the Palladian theme. Buildings are made with stone facades, red brick
and stone, and yellow brick and stone. Whereas every employing a
totally different mix of components, the fashion is obvious and
consistent. The Maclaurin Buildings are a typical creation, well
demonstrating the variations which will be achieved whilst adhering
to 1 consistent vogue.

Page 27

University of Virginia

As mentioned earlier, the campus of Virginia University, with its
exceptional healthy red brick buildings is the pioneer of American
neoclassical architecture. The rotunda building sits at the guts of the
old campus, on the most distant side of the genuine quadrangle.
resembling Jefferson’s Monticello, the campus is made in an
exceedingly quintessentially American Neo-Colonial vogue (classical
block). Inheritance materials have stood the test of time and diligent
preservation work with long term planning and forward thinking has
allowed the campus to survive for generations of scholars.

Hendersonville County Courthouse

The most notable feature of the three-story brick courthouse is that the
gold vaulted three-stage cupola, that consists of a pillared drum and
domical roof, is crowned by a sculpture of Pallas Athena. The
rectangular building has front and side entryway pavilions, a
pedimented hexastyle porch with Corinthian columns at the main
entrance, and tetrastyle porticoes at the edges. The inside is finished
merely with grey granite floors and brick wainscot. The courtroom has
been transformed. Overall, the relative sophistication and grandeur or
the courthouse looks a mirrored image of the aspirations of atiny low
seat whose economy was booming and whose population was starting
to soar.

Page 28

BUILDINGS WITH NEOCLASSICAL
STYLE IN MALAYSIA

Ipoh Railway Station

The characteristic of neoclassical architecture in Ipoh Railway Station
is the dome and the building shape which is used in geometrical form.
The building shape is also very symmetrical and uses minimum
decorations.

Perdana Putra

Perdana Putra Mosque architectural styles consist of islamic architecture,
Palladian, and neoclassical architecture. If we cut the building in the
middle, it is a perfectly symmetrical balance in which the left side and the
right side of the building are mirroring each other. Symmetrical balance is
one of the neoclassical architecture characteristics. Apart from that, the
building uses a rectangular shape which is geometrical with the columns.

Page 29

BUILDINGS WITH NEOCLASSICAL
STYLE IN MALAYSIA

Seremban State Library

From the pictures above, we can see the neoclassical architecture
from the triangular pediment and the columns. Apart from that, the
building shape is very symmetrical, using geometrical form,
minimum decorations, and the rectangular room almost mirroring
each other.

Page 30

ARCHITECTURAL
ELEMENTS

ARCHITECTURAL
ELEMENTS

Many modifications had occurred, causing the original concept to deviate.
To avoid losing its significant attributes, architectural elements such as sill
profiles, capitals, architraves, and existing staircases were meticulously
documented. Each of the original floor tile designs was drawn and
catalogued although it was not necessary to replace it.

Main Pediment With An Oculus
The main pediment with an oculus is a
Classical, Neoclassical, and Baroque
architectural elements. It consists of a
gable, a triangular shape placed above
the horizontal structure of the lintel.
Windows & Louvers
In Rumah Tangsi, there are many different types of windows installed such as
single, double, and triple panel windows.There are jalousie curved top, curve top,
and square top ventilation windows available. There are also a few Jalousie windows
on the building and there is also an oculus on the pointed pediments.

Page 32

An Overview of the Architectural
elements

VENITIAN OCULUS
WINDOW
VENITIAN WINDOW WITH
CURVED TOP JALOUSIE CURVE TOP
WALL VENT

VENITIAN WINDOW JALOUSIE
WITH CURVED TOP WINDOW

SQUARE VENITIAN WINDOW
WALL VENT WITH SQUARE TOP

Page 33

Triple Arched Architrave

The triple-arched architrave is a type of window used for ventilation and
lighting in ancient Roman and Neo-Classical architecture.

Round Pilasters

The round pilasters are used to give the appearance of a supporting column
as well as to articulate the wall and window extent.

Decorative Wall Vents

The decorative wall vents blend in
seamlessly with the rest of the interior
decoration, making it a complimentary
part of the building. This wall vent
helps to fill the room with fresh air but
not letting the dust, street noise, dust
into the building.

Page 34

Decorative Balustrade

Balustrades are vertical molded shafts with a square or lathe-turned form
that are used in stairways, parapets, and other architectural features.

Continuous Cornices

Cornices that run continuously have their origins in ancient Greek and
Roman architecture. The cornice was the highest part of the entablature,
which was the horizontal section of the building's exterior immediately
above a series of columns and below the roof.

Niche Walls

Niche walls are decorative recesses set into a wall for the display of a statue,
vase, font, or other items.Ancient Roman architects used niches extensively
in both interior and exterior walls.

Page 35

BUILDING
INTERIORS

Ground Floor & First Floor

GROUND FLOOR PLAN OF
RUMAH TANGSI

KJ H I
G

FE
CD

B
A

Page 37

C. FEMALE TOILET D. MALE TOILET

F. STORE G. CORRIDOR H. HALL AREA 2

I. HALL AREA 1 J. GALLERY 2 K. COUTYARD

FIRST FLOOR PLAN OF RUMAH
TANGSI

A B C DE

F H
G

Page 39

A. OPEN YARD 1 C. OPEN YARD 2

D. FEMALE SURAU B. MEETING ROOM 2
H. PANTRY E. MALE SURAU

F. VOID G. MEETING ROOM 1

ARCHITECTURAL

CHARACTERISTICS

Building Spatial Typology, Building
Layout, Building Orientation, Spatial

Relationship

Building Spatial Typology

This building consists of two spatial
typologies namely linear and centric.
Linear is shown on the ground floor
where the type of linear organization
applied is spinal. As we can see on the
ground floor, the circulation forms a
main straight line from the entry foyer
to the gallery and there are branches in
the main straight line. The branches are
the circulation to the specific spaces.
Meanwhile on the first floor, it applies
centric and linear organizations. Type of
centric organization used is the cloister
which is defined as the centre part of the
building surrounded by the main access
and the centre part is open space. Linear
organization seen on the first floor is
spinal and you can see the main straight
line from the stairs to the first floor hall
while the branches of the main line are
the accesses to the private room 1 and 2.

Building Layout

The building uses neo-classical style which the main characteristic of the style is using a
simple geometric form. Geometric form shows symmetrical balance design principles. If
we cut the elevation and the floor plan in the middle, we can see that the left side and the
right side have the same form and size.

Elevation of Rumah Tangsi

Ground First Floor
Floor

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Building Orientation

The aim of building orientation is to get the suitable position of the
building such as maximize the solar gain during cold climate and
minimize the solar gain during hot climate. Since Rumah Tangsi is situated
in Malaysia which has a hot-humid climate, the building orientation must
reduce the solar gain with the purpose to reach thermal comfort. The map
on the side shows that Rumah Tangsi faced to the East North East, so that
this building will get sunlight in the morning and it is not very hot, while if
the building faced to the West or South, the building will be hotter.

Spatial Relationship

The relationship between the spaces in Rumah Tangsi are shown from a
space directly connected to the specified space which is separated by the
plane such as the wall. The spatial relationship of this building is called
adjacent space. Apart from being separated by the wall, the spaces inside
Rumah Tangsi are also separated by the differences of the surface texture,
for instance the foyer’s floor and gallery’s floor have different motives.

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Separated by the floor tiles
(Gallery 1 & Foyer)

Separated by the plane
(wall)

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Zoning of Spaces

From the floor plan above, the zoning of spaces in Rumah Tangsi consists
of public and private zones. Since this building is opened to the public,
most of the spaces can be accessed by the public. The private zone is a
space that could not be accessed by the public. This is because some part
of this building has been rented, thus the public can not access those
spaces. As we can see, the yellow colour is the public zone and the blue
colour is the private zone.

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STRUCTURAL
COMPONENTS

Columns, Capitals & Balusters,
Floorings, Staircase & Ceilings.

STRUCTURAL
COMPONENTS

Columns, Capitals & Balusters

The corridors were bordered by
a colonnade, with pairs of
Tuscan columns supporting the
floor above them.

Chinese green glazed balusters First floor corridor
Tuscan Square Column Capital
A low wall ran beneath and
between the columns, with
Chinese green glazed balusters in
the structural elements that
matched those on the front
facade.

Column capital with floral relief Corinthion Column Capital
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The floral relief of the column
capital at the main building upon
the front entrance are similar to
the Greek architectural elements
of the Corinthian capital
exhibiting the characteristic
acanthus leaves.

Floorings

The floor tiles in the Rumah Tangsi Main Hall reflect the use of neoclassical
tiles, which match the building's style. The wide expanse of the entrance hall
level, surrounded by curved walls and 12” high timber skirting, was paved
with lime on both sides that led to the courtyard. The encaustic cement floor
tiles, which were mostly colourful, were completed. The courtyard at the
back of the mansion was tiled in terracotta tiles. These floor tiles were
probably purchased and shipped from Penang, and were similar in design to
those made by Huttenbach Brothers and Co.

The floor tiles are small pieces of floor slab that are typically made of clay,
cement, marble granite, and other composite materials. Imported terracotta
tiles, tessellated tiles, and encaustic tiles were commonly used to finish
historical shophouses and bungalows built for middle to upper class owners in
the late 19th century.

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Staircase

The staircase of the building is made
out of timber and influenced by Malay
Architecture. It is decorated with
beautiful floral patterns. The material of
the stair joists on the first floor and
floor boards is a first-grade hardwood,
Chengal. The stair joists are supported
by large steel beams imported from
Scotland. Unlike the upper floors,
where the roof structures were
concealed behind decorative timber
ceiling boards, these structures were
exposed.

Ceilings

The mansion is characterized by high wooden ceilings. High ceilings have many
benefits such as making the appearance of the building more luxurious . It also helps in
cooling the place and making it more energy-efficient. The Rumah Tangsi ceilings also
had wall mounted fans and lighting. With the presence of such features and tools, the
building will have better cross ventilation and cooling systems with less humidity.

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