LING TECK ONG 0303127
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN
Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)
ARCHITECTURE CULTURE & HISTORY 2 [ARC 1323]
Project: Architecture Heritage Building Analysis
Abstract:
After the 2nd World War, Kuala Lumpur developed to be the largest first city in the peninsula and, subsequently, in Malaysia. This was
made possible by the ambitious projects and development in urban planning and architecture, well supported by sound political and strong
will of the people. As the country gained its independence, Kuala Lumpur was made the capital city. As more development was planned
and implemented, its population increased rapidly making Kuala Lumpur one of the busiest capital cities in the Southeast Asia.
Apart from a few surveys, studies on historical buildings/structures during before and after independence, there is still lack of
documentation on history of architecture development in Kuala Lumpur. Today, many major developments are taking place in Kuala
Lumpur thus changing further its current conditions in term of urban layout and architecture. Without proper documentation of what was
there, future generations might not know the city; its origin and development. Therefore, this project attempts to document Kuala Lumpur
through report and analysis.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Interpret architectural language in relation to the development of Western architecture between Industrial Revolution and post World
War 2.
2. Differentiate the way in which many varied factors contribute to the development of form.
3. Ability to extract important information and present them in your own style
Tasks:
In a group of 4, select a building and study the function of the building type to serve the community within its vicinity. From your
observations on site, identify the different architectural elements (exterior and interior) that have been adapted to site to best serve the
practical and functional needs of the local community as compared to the similar building type found in another region.
How has local technology, materials, climatic conditions, history, culture and beliefs influenced the design of this building?
You have to be resourceful at site. Conduct interviews, library research, photography, sketches and drawings to record your findings.
Report:
The report should be written based on the following:
Introduction
1. Fast facts of the building
– building name, location, architect, size, function etc
2. Contextual condition
– before and after the building was built & can be looked at from different aspects e.g. physical, social, political, economical, cultural etc
3. The architect / Design Ideas / Concept
Building Analysis
4. Architectural elements/ special feature of building
- The element of the building (to include explanatory images/photos)
5. Comparative study from western example within the same typology
Sekolah Menengah Maxwell (Jalan Tun Ismail)
Introduction:
Maxwell School or Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan was established in the year 1917. It was a school for boys except form 6. It is located at Tun Ismail Road which was formerly known as Maxwell Road in the center of Kuala Lumpur. The school was named after Sir William George Maxwell, the chief Secretary to the Government of the Federated Malay States. Maxwell school was not just the oldest school in the north of Kuala Lumpur but also one of the oldest in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia. A student of the school is known as a Maxwellian. Maxwell School opened its doors to 110 students and five teaching staff on 1 June 1922. At present there are approximately 1500 students and more than 100 academic and non-academic staff members.
During its pre-war days, it functioned as a feeder school for the Victoria Institution. By 1933, the school was shut down to the public due to the recession, but was opened as a private school from 1934 to 1938. It was then given to the Trade School for their use. During the Japanese Occupation, it was used as a camp for the Japanese Kempeitai. After the war, the school was used as a hostel by the newly formed Technical College which now named as University Technology Malaysia until 1953, when, in September, the school was re-opened as Malaya's first Modern Secondary School. Today, the Maxwell School is still housed in the same building and had remained a secondary school ever since.
The school originally consisted of two blocks which is A and B, the present day main block and the gymnasium block, which is now the library . The school consists of a two–storey structure which was later extended to a block of solid masonry construction. The main building has an H-shape layout, and is designed in the Neo-Renaissance style popular of the period featuring keystone arches, balustrade colonnades and coupled with massing that dictate strong forms, which can refer to the elevations plans. A decade later, three blocks of building were added. They were block C, a three storey building and function as classrooms, labs and canteen, Block D, a seven storey building containing science laboratories, store and classrooms. The third building- Block F was also single storey and it was used as carpentry cum metal workshop. The Figure 1.1 below is the layout plan to show out the detail layout of Maxwell School.
Sekolah Menegah Maxwell
|
School |
:Maxwell Secondary School |
|
Old name |
:Maxwell Road School |
|
Motto |
:Disco UT Serviam - I Learn That I May Serve |
|
Established |
:1917 |
|
Type |
:Government non-boarding all-boys secondary school |
|
Affiliations |
|
|
Grades |
:Form 1 - Form 6 |
|
Location |
:Jalan Tun Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia |
|
Colors |
:Royal green and blue |
|
Abbreviation |
:Max-So-Well, Maxwell's |
Building Analysis:
The design and features of the two blocks is typical of the colonial era structures bearing with Moorish designs. Moorish denoting the style of architecture used in Spain from the 13th to 16th century, characterized by the horseshoe arch Also Morisco, Moresco. The school consists of a two storey structure with arched openings along the corridors, typical of many of the school buildings that were built that time. There is a veranda on sides of each storey, high ceilings and broad stairways which depict typical colonial architecture. While the modern-day Ministry of Education has added rectangular-shaped blocks to the school, the distinctive "H" shape of the main block is still one of the more interesting features of Kuala Lumpur.
Ground Floor ( block A) First Floor (block A) Ground Floor (block B)
Elevation (block A)
Maxwell School Layout Plan
Site Plan Elevation (block A)
SMK Maxwell Building Plan:
Analysis Board
Analysis:
This project requires students to study a historical building on a city for Western architecture influences. From observations on site,
students are to identify architectural components (exterior and interior) that have been adapted in response to local contextual conditions
through a set of annotated sketches. A brief explanation of building names, location, architecture style, architect, function, construction and
material is required to accompany the sketches. It should comprise of an analysis highlighting response, user and context, concept and
change upon which the building was built.
I'm doing 'Concept' in project. Descriptions of some of the interesting architectural elements in the buildings follow. These include the columns, doors, entrances portals and windows of SMK Maxwell.
Report For Architecture Heritage Building Analysis
(SMK Maxwell)