Research seminar

CHALLENGES IN RESTORING TIMBER IN TERMS
OF CULTURAL VALUE AND SUSTAINABILITY OF
TIMBER
CHENG HOON TENG:

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple (Originally established in 1673 by Kapitan Li Wei King) is one of the oldest temples in
Malaysia and is culturally significant to the Chinese community of Malacca. It has stood throughout the ravages of
time, preserved by the faith of the devotees in passing down a piece of their heritage.
INTRODUCTION

METHODOLOGY .
Internet Resource Book Reference
Source :( Loh.L, 1997)
Source :( Richard.A.E, 2007)Source :( Cheng Hoon Teng, u.d.)

Cheng Hoon Teng received UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage
Awards at 2002 for the Restoration of Main Temple
Source :( Shannon.Y, 2018)

Historical Significance One of the oldest edifices of formal
worship for Chinese immigrants in
Malaysia.
Architectural Significance
Malaysia’s earliest example of Hokkien
temple architecture, reflecting the skills
of artisans from Fujian and Guangdong
provinces in China.
Social Significance An important spiritual and social centre
for Chinese immigrants.
Significance of Cheng Hoon Teng
in Malaysia
Source: ("Asia Conserved", 2018)

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
WORSHIP PLACE OF CHINESE IMMIGRANTS
Cheng Hoon Teng was established by Kapitan Lee Wei King.
This stone inscription was set up to record the historical
and significant development of that time.
2nd Kapitan in
Melaka. Li Wei King
also known as Li Kap.
4th Kapitan in Melaka.
Chan Ki Lock rebuilt the
temple at the current
site.
Stone inscription that
recorded the
development of Cheng
Hoon Teng.
Source (From left to right) : 1. Shannon Yeong 2, 3. ("Welcome to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple", 2018)

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Traditional Construction Method
Malaysia’s earliest example of Hokkien temple architecture, reflecting the skills of artisans from
Fujian and Guangdong provinces in China.
A timber hand carved
male lion statue in main
temple hall.
Dou-Gong SystemDiagram illustrates the traditional Chinese timber frame structure
system of Cheng Hoon Teng.
Chuan-Dou System
Source (From Left to Right) : 1. Aqil Azli 2. Cheng Hoon Teng Report, 2018 3 . Lim Zhao Yin 4. Terrence Thia

SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Religious Activity
Cheng Hoon Teng provides a platform to serve the spiritual needs
of the Chinese community in Malacca.
Prayers are praying at there before Chinese New Year, that is one of the peak time
for them to pray.
Source : Shannon YeongSource : ("Chinese New Year Prayers @ Cheng Hoon Teng Temple Malacca",
2014)

CHALLENGES IN RESTORING TIMBER IN TERMS
OF CULTURAL VALUE AND SUSTAINABILITY OF
TIMBER
Maintain eligibility
of Unesco
Restoration Merit
Award
Limitation of
Competent
Craftsmen
Authenticity of
Timber
Usage of
Traditional
Technique of
Treatment

How to maintain Unesco Merit Award for restoration
eligibility in the conservation and restoration of Cheng
Hoon Teng?

Source : ("Welcome to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple", 2018)
Donation from public is the main way to fulfil financial
needs for conservation and restoration. After Cheng Hoon
Teng win the Unesco Merit Award for Restoration in the
Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Awards 2002, it gets the
fame and attention.
To maintain the concern of public, Cheng Hoon Teng uses
website to spread information regarding the history,
architecture and decorative arts; organization and
management; religious activities and festivals; and an
account of the restoration project. It can help Cheng Hoon
Teng to attract people, increase the fame of temple and
easier to get fund.
FUNDING THROUGH PUBLICITY
SETTING WEBSITE

They have installed a lot of signage
and information boards for Cheng
Hoon Teng as a service to
disseminate the history of Chinese
religious. Besides, they have
installed way findings to lead users
into temple.
SETTING INFORMATION
BOARD
Location: Prayer pavillion, Source :Shannon Yeong
Location: Entrance of Cheng Hoon Teng, Source :
Shannon Yeong
FUNDING THROUGH PUBLICITY

PROVIDING LONG TERM
PROTECTION
AND MANAGEMENT

DURABILITY
Cheng Hoon Teng has provided
constant repair, maintenance and
restoration to ensure the durability
of material without alterations,
additions or removal of any integral
parts of the building.
PROVIDING LONG TERM
PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT

BUILDING FABRICS,
FINISHES AND UTILITIES
Restoration of building fabrics and finishes include
plaster repairs, timber repairs, gold leaf overlay
retrieval, stone masonry cleaning, tiling works
restoration as well as painting works.
Restoration of utilities include electricals, fire alarm
provisions, water, anti-termite treatment, bird
control and commemorative for posterity.
Source : Terrence Thia
The algal on the wall is
considered as one of the
building fabrics and
finishes that need to be
painted.
Old electrical switches.
Source : Tan Yang
PROVIDING LONG TERM
PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT

How the limitation of competent craftsmen can have
an effect in maintaining the values and sustainability
related to the cultural significance of timber in Cheng
Hoon Teng?

Artistically-oriented craftsmen-
ornamentations
Structurally-oriented
craftsmen-bracket post and beam
construction technique
Craftsman
(Source: Conservation of Historic Timber Structures, Knut Einar
Larsen )
Cheng Hoon Teng ’s architecture
reflects the skills of migrant builders
and craftsmen from China's southern
provinces, mainly Fujian and
Guangdong (Source:
Welcome to Cheng Hoon Teng, Cheng Hoon Teng)
Location: Timber bracket carvings at Prayer
pavilion of Cheng Hoon Teng
(Source: Azli A., 2018)
Location: Timber carvings at Main temple Hall
of Cheng Hoon Teng
Location: Timber carving on altar at Main
temple Hall of Cheng Hoon Teng

Construction work is often seen as
low-status work which could be done
by anyone. Construction work is not
regarded as something for which
particular competence is required.
REASONS of competent craftsman shortage
Negative Perception of
the industry
(Source: Conservation of Historic Timber Structures, Knut Einar Larsen )
The younger generation stem from a
cultural lack of respect for blue-collar
work.
(Source: The Skilled Labor Shortage: Where is the Next Generation of
Craftsmen?, HomeAdvisor )

Insufficient experienced
craftsman to transfer their
knowledge and skills to
prepare young workers
Lack of professional
exposure and education
The knowledge of the
traditional techniques of
craftsmanship is extremely
difficult to revive and retrieve
once it is lost. Continuous
practice is the only way to
preserve such knowledge.
Lack of
Practice
(Source: Conservation of Historic Timber Structures,
Knut Einar Larsen )
(Source: The Skilled Labor Shortage: Where is the
Next Generation of Craftsmen?, HomeAdvisor )
The decreasing
demand for traditional
building products and
services causes
craftsmen to leave
their skills aside.
Declining
Demand
(Source: The Skilled Labor Shortage: Where is
the Next Generation of Craftsmen?,
HomeAdvisor )
REASONS of competent craftsman shortage

IMPORTANCE of competent craftsmen in maintaining the
values and sustainability related to the cultural significance of
Cheng Hoon Teng
Experience
(Source: Conservation of Historic Timber
Structures, Knut Einar Larsen )
Consultant in restoration
Visual-fading of significant
ornaments
The knowledge of the properties of the
materials was based on experience inherited
from previous generations.

CARVING AND STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
Ornamentation Carving
Location: Gold-gilded decorative bracket at
auxiliary. Building, source: Azli M.
Timber frame structure
Location: Decorative human carving at Prayer
pavillion, source: Azli M
(Location: Timber structural framework of Outer Prayer
Pavilion Cheng Hoon Teng temple., source: Azli M.)

Source: Wooden carvings of the Old houses at Dongyang, Zhejiang province
The surface of the wooden
carving was covered by
deposit of dirt that primarily
was a mix of greasy dust
and residues of cobweb.
The layer of lacquer was
stable and there was no
need to stabilize it. Dirt
removal was performed
with mild detergent.
DIRT REMOVAL / LIGHTENING (piāo bái 漂白)
References:: A to Z: Restoring chinese wood carvings, wooden screens and carved architectural elements., The Specialists guide to Chinese Antiques
ORNAMENTATION RESTORATION
TECHNIQUES

Repairing damaged sections of the wood carving. Typically this involves scraps of the same or similar wood
which are then pegged and glued over the damaged areas (known as bu mutou 补木头). Once pegged and
dried, the damaged sections can be carefully re-carved, sanded and detailed to match. Depending on the
shape and structure of the carving other repairs to joinery may be required as well.
REPAIRS TO CARVING

After any damaged sections of the antique carving have been repaired, if the screen was
painted, then replaced sections will need to be carefully hand painted to match the original
color and style.
TOUCH UP

Principles of Restoration under
Conservation Constraints in Cheng Hoon Teng
All original building materials shall be
preserved in Cheng Hoon Teng.
Wherever possible, material tests should
be conducted to determine material
composition.
1
2 Deteriorated
architectural elements
shall be repaired rather
than replaced.
The original
structural system
shall be
preserved.
3
Traditional methods of
construction shall be
used
4Distinctive stylistic
features of skilled
craftsmen and artisans
shall be preserved
5
The original built form
and style of the
architectural design
shall be strictly
preserved
6

How the authenticity of timber is linked to the
cultural values of Cheng Hoon Teng?

Importance of
Originality of Timber
to Cheng Hoon Teng
- Maintaining Balance
- The Original Material has been well-tested and well-proven

Maintaining
Balance
In many cases, when we add
or change new materials, the
balance that once existed
between traditional materials
is distorted or destroyed.
Importance of Originality of Timber
to Cheng Hoon Teng

EXAMPLE
YELLOW CRANE TOWER
Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, China (Dreamstime, 2013)
WUHAN, CHINA
TIMBER CONCRETE
To completely restore historical appearance of
Yellow Crane Tower in China. Its original timber
frame structure was replaced by
reinforced concrete structure due to
repeatedly rebuilt and destroyed of the structure.
(Chen, 2012)

● It has lost its historical integrity
● It serves as a wrong example in Heritage
Conservation
● Become just an imitation of an
ancient building

The Original Material
has been well-tested
and well-proven
Importance of Originality of Timber
to Cheng Hoon Teng

STRENGTH OF THE
ANCIENT BUILDING MATERIALS
Sufficient guarantee of their reliability and durability.
well-tested by the harsh weather over the centuries
Lies at the fact of

SHANXI, CHINA
● Built in year 875.
● Rediscovered by Liang Si Cheng in year
1937.
● The last restoration of the building carried
out at the end of the Qing Dynasty. It has
been about 100 years since then.
East palace of Foguang Temple, Shanxi, China
(Sina, 2017)
EXAMPLE
East Palace of Foguang Temple
(Sina, 2017)

CONSTRUCTION FUND
LIMITATION IN
RESTORATION OF ANCIENT BUILDING
AVAILABILITY OF
ORIGINAL BUILDING
MATERIAL

High quality dry wood are running scarce, especially the large volume of
dry wood is even more deficient.
New wood contains higher water content which is not suitable for
building’s durability.
it is difficult to guarantee the quality of building restoration by replacing new materials.

When replacement is
inevitable ...
similar material with similar
composition shall be utilized.
(Dilapidation Report, 1997)

Wood of the required dimensions proved to be
scarce. Therefore, hardwood substituted by Merbau.
New beams were fashioned in a temporary workshop
in the temple theatre compound across the road.
Before the new beams could be used, they had to be
certified by Forest Research Institute Malaysia
(FRIM) experts as being sufficiently dry and meeting
standard timber specifications.
(Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, undated)
12 inch timber
square columns
9 inch diameter timber
round columns with
spans up to 25 feet
Shortage of Wood’s
Types & Dimension

REPLACEMENT OF SIMILAR SPECIES
(HARDWOOD)
BALAU MERBAU
The replacement part should be as original as possible, ie, in species, dimension, colour, grain and texture.
(Dilapidation Report,1997)
HAVE BETTER ROT
RESISTANCE AND
WORKABILITY
Replaced by
(CHENG HOON TENG REPORT, 2018)

COLOUR:
darker reddish-brown
GRAIN:
straight to interlocked
TEXTURE:
coarse
REPLACEMENT OF SIMILAR TIMBER WITH SIMILAR
COMPOSITION
BALAU MERBAU
COLOUR:
from a pale straw color, to a
darker reddish brown
GRAIN:
sometimes interlocked
TEXTURE:
coarse
THE SIMILAR COMPOSITION BETWEEN BALAU AND MERBAU(WOOD DATABASE, 2008)

Termite infestation was found out on the
collapsed timber purlin in 1997. It must be
replaced with appropriate hardwood with
correct size and also adequately dried due to
severe damage.
EXAMPLE
Remnants of purlin showing infestation and damage in
Cheng Hoon Teng (Dilapidation Report, 1997)

Why the usage of traditional techniques of
treatment on timber is crucial to the restoration of
Cheng Hoon Teng?

Durable
Sumac tree. It will only produce
liquid lacquer after more than eight
years
(Source: "From lacquer to wood wax oil - ideal paint
road", n.d.)
Soil resistance
Moisture- proof
insulation
High temperature
resistance
Corrosion, acid and alkali
resistance
High-quality natural
coating
Hard
Natural lacquer liquid Properties
Traditional treatment on timber:
Ta Chi (lacquer)

("From lacquer to wood wax oil - ideal paint road", n.d.)
Comparison between Traditional Lacquer and Modern Paint

Relatively fake and has
certain taste
Grain:
Rough after some time
Feeling of luster
Grain:
Clear and smooth
Resistance:
(Source : Tan. 2017) (Source : Zhu,2017)
Traditional Lacquer Chemical Lacquer
Comparison between Traditional Lacquer and Modern Paint

low labor
productivity
low degree of
massification
high cost
advent of modern
chemical coatings
Lesser application range of lacquer
Traditional treatment on timber:
Ta Chi (lacquer)

It is certainly the traditional restoration and preservation techniques used which have helped to increase
the durability of the extant temples. The traditional preservation which was used for centuries and
proved effective was prepared and its efficacy.
LIFE SPAN ECO - FRIENDLYEFFECTIVE

Applying Ta Chi on timber during restoration
Traditional Chinese Lacquer, Ta Chi, originated from China. The earliest lacquer dates from the
Hemudu culture in Zhejiang province and is approximately 7000 years old. Traditional chinese
lacquer aims to express the beauty of paint and life span of timber. Cheng Hoon Teng manage to
use it to enhance the durability and historical value of its timber structure and ornamentations..
(Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Updated)
("From lacquer to wood wax oil - ideal paint road", n.d.)

● Timber works are not merely supporting
elements in Chinese architecture but also
a symbolic elements of aesthetics and
chinese identity.
● Timber is vulnerable when it encounters
moisture, fire, insects, and the ravages of
time; Only a few number of ancient
Chinese buildings manage to survive
throughout the centuries.
● Cheng Hoon Teng, a four-centuries
edifice which has successfully restored
timber works and conserved their
historical and cultural value by
emphasizing on restoration rather than
replacing the materials according to
principles of restoration in Cheng Hoon
Teng.
● Cheng Hoon Teng also provide constant
repair on materials to maintain their
eligibility of UNESCO Restoration Award.
CONCLUSION .

Maintain the Eligibility of UNESCO
● .Chinese New Year Prayers @ Cheng Hoon Teng Temple Malacca. (2014). Retrieved 12 May 2018, from
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8YIRrJ6LqJk/maxresdefault.jpg
● Welcome to Cheng Hoon Teng Temple. (2018). Retrieved 12 May 2018, from http://www.chenghoonteng.org.my/
● Centre, U. (2018). The Criteria for Selection. Retrieved 12 May 2018, from https://whc.unesco.org/en/criteria/
● Tan, R. (2018). A sacred place: the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, 25, Temple Street, Malacca, Malaysia : a study of the impact of
tourism on a heritage place of worship and suggestions for its management through interpretation. Retrieved 12 May 2018,
from http://hub.hku.hk/handle/10722/40005
● Loh, L. (1997). The Cheng Hoon Teng Main Temple. A Dilapidation Report.
● Peio. (2018). Retrieved 4 June 2018, from
http://wp.peio.me/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Conf4_Frey-Pamini-Steiner-17.12.2010.pdf
● Unesco. (2018). Retrieved 4 June 2018, from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001557/155754e.pdf
● Asia Conserved. (2018). Retrieved 4 June 2018, from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001557/155754e.pdf

Authenticity of Timber
● Asia Conserved. (2007) (pp. 26, 211-216). Bangkok.
● Chen, F. (2012). 木制古建，如何“修旧如旧”. Retrieved 12 May 2018, from
http://epaper.syd.com.cn/sywb/html/2012-07/10/content_824442.html
● Cheng Hoon Teng Temple. Retrieved 12 May 2018, from https://www.chenghoonteng.org.my/p1structure.html
● Wang. (2016). 古建筑木结构的保护与修复. Retrieved 5 June 2018, from
http://www.tinzi.net/aspcms/news/2016-4-13/481.html
Usage of Traditional Technique of Treatment
● Preservation of Timber - Methods and Materials for Timber Preservation. (2017). Retrieved 18 May 2018, from
https://theconstructor.org/building/preservation-of-timber-methods-materials/17324/
● (2016). Retrieved 18 May 2018, from http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/110647/12/12_chapter6.pdf
● Preservation of Timber and Wood. Its Methods, Materials. - CivilGuides. (2017). Retrieved 18 May 2018, from
https://civilseek.com/preservation-of-timber-wood/
● 从大漆到木蜡油——理想涂料之路. (2011). Retrieved 21 May 2018, from https://www.douban.com/note/173993177/
● (2017). Retrieved 21 May 2018, from https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/28987281

Conclusion
● Ancient Chinese wooden architecture - SHINE. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.shine.cn/feature/art-culture/1802250806/
● Famous Ancient Chinese Wooden Architecture: Pagoda, Palace or Temple. (2018).
Retrieved from
https://www.topchinatravel.com/china-guide/ancient-chinese-wooden-architecture.htm
● Cheng Hoon Teng Temple | Local Heart, Global Soul. (2018). Retrieved from
https://kiwidutch.wordpress.com/tag/cheng-hoon-teng-temple/
● Chinese Traditional Architectural Craftsmanship For Timber Framed Structures. (2018).
Retrieved
fromhttps://www.chinatravel.com/facts/chinese-traditional-architectural-craftsmanship-fo
r-timber-framed-structures.htm
● Art, T. (2018). Chinese traditional architectural craftsmanship for timber-framed structures.
Retrieved from
http://www.unesco.org/archives/multimedia/?pg=33&s=films_details&id=336

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