Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka - Project II Report

1. DEWAN BAHASA DAN PUSTAKA
BSC (HONS) OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURE
| SEM 2 2017
ARC60203 CULTURE AND HISTORY II
| PROJECT 2 : REPORT
TUTOR
| MS. BALKISH ROSLAN

2. Mohammad Harris Bin Haji Abdul Aziz | 0323219
Muhamad Afiq Abbdul Karim | 0331335
Mazen Mahmoud Moustafa Radi | 0326610
Muhammad Aqil Bin Mohd Azli | 0326479
Muhammad Irfan Bin Ibrahim | 0326496
Mohamad Haziq Bin Jamal | 0331106

3. CONTENTS
01 | INTRODUCTION
00 | SITE CONTEXT ANALYSIS
00 | ARCHITECTURAL LAYOUT OF BUILDING
00 | ARCHITECTURAL STYLE ANALYSIS
00 | BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, STRUCTURE AND MATERIAL ANALYSIS
00 | ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS/ COMPONENT ANALYSIS
00 | CONCLUSION
00 | REFERENCES

4. INTRODUCTION
Architectural Style : Post Merdeka Modernism
Architect : Yoon Thim Lee
Location : Jalan Dewan Bahasa, Bukit Petaling, 50460 Kuala Lumpur
Function : Acts as a language and development centre, specifically for the Malay language.
To encourage and promote the use of Malay language as the standard national
language. Covers aspects such as science, technology, literature and publications.
1961
Completion of Block A & Balai Budaya
1968
Completion of Block B
01

5. Background :
The building consists of three main blocks, which are Balai Budaya (Cultural Hall), Block A and Block B
(both are used as administrative blocks).
Balai Budaya and Block A was first built in 1961 along with the mural. Then in 1968 Block B was incepted.
The Balai Budaya consist of a gallery and a multipurpose hall for events, conventions and performances.
The facade of the Balai Budaya features the iconic mural ever since 1961, a creation of Ismail Mustam after
winning a competition.
The mural depicts “The Malayan Way of Life and The National Language”
Whereas Blocks A and B were used to be libraries and now converted into office spaces for administration
purposes, these blocks also include utility rooms and guest rooms.
2002
Completion of DBP tower
02

6. done by
0326610 | Mazen Mahmoud Moustafa Radi
03

7. SITE
CONTEXT
ANALYSIS
Site Location
| Street Identification
Site Accessibility
| Vehicular Circulation
| Public Circulation
Relationship to Surroundings
| Land Use
Response to Climate
| Sun Path
| Ventilation
04

8. SITE LOCATION
STREET IDENTIFICATION
Jalan Wisma Putra Jalan Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka
FIGURE 2.1
FIGURE 2.2
As shown in Figure 2.2, DBP is Located at the intersection of Jalan Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka and Jalan
Wisma Putra, connecting from the north to Jalan Maharajalela and North-East to Jalan Loke Yew.
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka is located at the east central of Kuala Lumpur, a spot predominantly housing a
number of government commissions and commercial office buildings. As shown in red in Figure 2.1, the building
is known to be placed at the north face of the iconic KL landmark Menara DBP.
05

9. Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka can be accessed from many Points as shown in red in Figure 2.3
SITE ACCESSIBILITY
VEHICULAR CIRCULATION
Via Jalan Wisma Putra Via Jalan Bahasa Dan Pustaka
FIGURE 2.3
As shown in figure 2.3, the building can be
accessed from jalan wisma putra from the east
leading to the gate accessing both DBP and
Menara DBP.
DBP can also be accessed from Jalan Dewan
Bahasa Dan Pustaka from the west leading to the
Lobby Drop-off/Pickup point of both DBP and the
Balai Budaya Hall.
06

10. SITE ACCESSIBILITY
via LRT
via MONORAIL
Hang Tuah LRT Station
FIGURE 2.4
FIGURE 2.5
Public transportation
The time to reach DBP on foot is 10min from
Hang Tuah LRT Station.
A distance estimated to be around 0.8 km.
Using public transport to reach Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka is a convenient choice due to availability of
transportation methods.
Maharajalela Monorail Station
For the Mrt, the time to reach DBP is around
8min walk from Maharajalela Monorail Station
which is approximately 0.6km.
07

11. RELATIONSHIP TO SURROUNDING
MERDEKA VIEW
APARTMENTS
MAHATHIR MAHZAN & CO.
JABATAN BOMBA
DAN PENYELAMAT
RUMAH PUSPANITA
INSTITURE OF DIPLOMACY
AND FOREIGN RELATIONS
DEWAN BAHASA
VDAN PUSTAKA
RESIDENTIAL
SHOP HOUSES
COMMERCIAL
CIVIC BUILDINGS
Land Use
The buildings around Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka are predominantly civic buildings together with residential,
commercial and shop houses. The most important landmarks found around DBP are Mahathir Mahzan & Com-
pany, Merdeka View Apartment and Jabatan Bomba Dan Penyelamat located north west of DBP. Institute of
Diplomacy and Foreign Relations and Rumah Puspanita are located on the south-west of Dewan Bahasa Dan
Pustaka. Besides Merdeka View Apartments there are also a private owned company and a head quarter of
ambulance services for Red Crescent Society on the south-west side of the site.
08

12. RESPONSE TO CLIMATE
Kuala Lumpur goes through 2 monsoon seasons from
March to April and from October to November and will be dry and
hot the rest of the year and as a result Dewan Bahasa Dan Pusta-
ka experiences the same weather conditions being located at the
heart of Kuala Lumpur.
In Response to this Climate, the Building was designed
with tinted windows to limit the heat penetrating the building.
Block A is most affected by natural light penetration from its
windowed facades. The back facade of block A that exists in the
buffer zone utilizes windows to bring in natural light into its interior
spaces. However, the light penetration for the back facade is less
than the front facade due to its fewer windows. The windowed
front facade is allowing natural light into the spaces for all levels
whereas the back facade only limits its windows to the top half of
the building.
The higher arrangement of windows on the back facade of
block A suggests focusing natural light into the above spaces
rather than the lower ones. Natural light penetration into the buffer
zones are distributed into the interior spaces of block A and the
open space between the two blocks.
09

13. Sun Path
Morning and afternoon light penetration into
the buffer zone (located east & west of DBP)
are distributed into open spaces between
two blocks and partial lighting into block A
that creates shadows.
Ventilation
Louvers are used at the front and side facade
of the building but natural ventilation is more
attributed to the ones on each side of the
building. The louvers act as both barrier to the
interior buffer and a filter that allows air to
pass through into the buffer zone and out
towards the top of the building.`
10

14. done by
0331335 | Muhamad Afiq Abdul Karim
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15. ARCHITECTURAL
LAYOUT OF
BUILDING
Site Plan
Floor Plan
Geometry
Symmetry
Circulation
Spatial Hierarchy
Spatial Organization
12

16. 13
SCALE 1 : 8000
An architectural layout of a building serves to make people understand the spatial quality and the concept
behind the design. The plan of the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka is very large, comprised of three parts; Balai
Budaya, Block A and Block B. The interior of the buildings are very intricate and features very heavy circulation
due to the number of vertical pathways. The building is further analyzed and showcased in diagrams in the
coming pages.
SITE PLAN
SCALE 1 : 500
FLOOR PLAN

17. 14
BLOCK B
exterior geometry
interior geometry
BLOCK A
BALAI BUDAYA
The Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka building consists of three parts, the Balai Budaya, Block A and Block
B. Together, they follow a simple geometry that consists of six larger identical squares that encompass the
whole lot. The six squares seperates the lot into 3 rows that make up the three parts of the whole building. The
first row marks the length of the Balai Budaya. The second row makes up the Block A and the lobby/entrance
to the whole building. The third row would then make up the last part of the building, Block B. The geometry of
the squares create an axis of symmetry that cuts through the Balai Budaya, Block A and Block B.
The smaller geometries found within the building are divided into squares and rectangles. Balai Budaya
and Block A both are made up of squares that fill up the space. Block B is made up of two rectangles. As a
whole, there are six larger squares that make up the exterior space and ten smaller squares as well as two
rectangles that fill up the interior spaces.
GEOMETRY

18. 15
The three parts that make up the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka have an axis of symmetry that cuts through
them. The axis of symmetry is formed from the geometry of the building. The axis of symmetry begins at the
Balai Budaya where the symmetry of the building can be seen clearly. Even though the axis runs through Block
A and Block B, they are both not symmetrical due to the additional forms on either side of their facade. There
is only one axis of symmetry found in this building due to its rectangular floor area.
axis of symmetry
SYMMETRY

19. 16
VEHICULAR
above ground
below ground
PEDESTRIAN
horizontal
vertical
The whole building is divided into two different types of major circulation; pedestrian and vehicular.
Pedestrian movement is heavily concentrated within the buildings, which have six stair pathways and two
lifts. The lobby/drop off area and features a back and forth movement between the Balai Budaya and Block A
entrance. The Balai Budaya does not have a lift, hence relies on stairs for vertical circulation to the upper floor
housing an exhibition hall. Exterior pedestrian circulation does not stray far from the main entrance except for
three emergency staircases that are for each building block.
Vehicular circulation circles Block A which involves an underground path of the carpark that is located in
between Block A and Block B. Vehicular movement is linear within the building area. Cars are only allowed to
enter at one gate and exit at the other, having people to circle outside the building site to return to the entrance.
CIRCULATION

20. 17
Spatial hierarchy within the building is divided into four main categories;
public, administrative, facilities and private.
The experience is determined by the sequence of spaces that a user goes through. The public spaces domi-
nate the lowest floor where there is a daycare, guest room and lobby. The administrative section of the building
houses the main office spaces for staff. The facilities of the building are located near the top levels where the
surau, resource center and store is located. The topmost floor is private and only allows access to VIP and
senior officers in their meeting rooms and conference rooms.
private
facilities
administrative
public
SPATIAL HIERARCHY

21. 18
spaces
axis
The spaces within the buildings are offsets of the axes in the building. There are two main axes involved in the
building; the axis of symmetry that runs through the middle of the Balai Budaya all the way through Block A and
Block B. Another axis is the buffer zone axis that divides the two blocks. The spaces are then arranged around
those two axes. This arrangement is called an axial spatial organization. This arrangement does not necessarily
follow a certain pattern or grid hence clusters are formed as well. Some of the spaces are found clustered
together while some are found separated.
SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

22. done by
0323219 | Mohammad Harris Bin Haji Abdul Aziz
19

23. ARCHITECTURAL
STYLE
ANALYSIS
MODERNISM
POST-MODERNISM
POST-MERDEKA MODERNISM
20

24. 21
It is common knowledge amongst local architects that Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka is categorised under Post
- Merdeka Modernism style of architecture. But before getting into what is post-merdeka modernism, it is
essential to understand what is modernism and post-modernism.
Modernism first appeared in the Western worlds in the
late 19th century as a result of the Industrial Revolution,
but only made popular after World War I. The style was
seen as a form of expression to both capture and
portray experiences and identities that do not conform
to the norm during the time, a form of intellectual retalia-
tion against the propaganda conceived from the war.
During this time, new methods of construction and
materials surfaced to create buildings that challenged
new heights, functional by form and utilizes the full
extent of the spaces created within the buildings’
boundary and all for even lower cost compared to the
methods that are common at the time.
Extensive usage of steel framing and concrete
produced horizontal floors and vertical columns which
resulted in the cuboidal form of most buildings built at
the time, and by repeating layers of horizontal floors
and vertical columns, taller buildings can be built. In
general, modernism buildings are utilitarian by nature
and form is driven by function.
Post - Modernism is similar in a way that the style
breaks away from the norm, in this case, away from
Modernism. To into perspective, modernism that is
often described with the quote “less is more” by
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe(one of the founding
fathers of Modernism) is then parodied by post -
modernism with the quote “less is a bore” by Robert
Venturi(one of the founding fathers of Post - Modern-
ism). In short, post - modernism deviate from but at
the same time derivative of Modernism. Just like
modernism, a post-modernism building lack in orna-
mentations but the whole of the building itself can be
seen as an ornament. Function that is driven by
form.

25. 22
‘Post - Merdeka’ Modernism is more similar in con-
cept to western modernism but with a different
perspective, as the style is heavily dependent on
local influences and more in line with finding the local
identity. Instilling traditional values into the design
approach of ‘post - merdeka’ modernism.
Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka, directly translated as
the Hall of Language and Library acted as a platform
where the Malay language was re-implemented to
not just be used for daily informal use but as well as
in all government matters and departments.
Bahasa Melayu or the Malay Language has been in
use predominantly by the nation since the 15th cen-
tury until the dawn of the colonial era when the
English language stepped in line during the 19th
century onwards. By the end of the colonial era in
Malaya, the ideals of restoring and amending their
root identity came to light, giving the nation a new
purpose beyond the colonial era.
One of the ways to do it is through the restoration
and conservation of the nation’s national language.
From here, the nation slowly but surely regained the
Malay identity and their way of expressing the Malay
culture such as how we can see them today. Such
as displayed in the building’s aesthetics and design,
the DPB’s cultural hall auditorium features patterns
that resembles the pattern design often embroidered
on one of the Malay traditional clothing, the Kain
Songket, this pattern is derived from bamboo shoots
or Puchok Rebung. The space underneath the audi-
torium is designed in such a way to evoke the feeling
of entering a malay kampong house, through the use
of “crazy-paving” tiles or various shapes and colours
symbolizing the extensive floral use as commonly
found in traditional malay kampong house.

26. 23
Such as in the image above, a set of triangular and rectangular shapes
to form linear design that runs along the Cultural Hall Auditorium. This
design also gives way for ventilation and entry of daylight, as the
surfaces are perforated.
In the images shown, are some of the
example of the subtle but effective
forms of ornamentation that not only
act solely to provide a ‘look’ but as
well serve for the occupants of the
building.
Here shown a facade of block A. Series of vertical and horizontal lines
that materialise into concrete louvers, wall panels and glass windows.
Aside from its aesthetic value, they serve to allow natural light in and at
the same time controlling the influx of light and introduce shades using
louvers.

27. 24
A modern example of a tradi-
tional malay kampong house
that maintained the use of
floral aesthetics
A picture of the interior of balai budaya featuring “crazy-paving” tiles.
In short, Post Merdeka Modernism is the nation’s journey to rebuild, and for the younger generations to redis-
cover their roots and origins that is the Malaysia. But the attempt is not to erase the past when it was during the
colonial times, but to repurpose ideals and values from the past and fuse it with what the culture and traditions
in Malaysia stand for. From here, a truly unique but holistic identity that captures aspects of culture, tradition and
modernism in subtle ways that is more than mimicry, but carries meaning.

28. 25
done by
0331106 | Mohamad Haziq Bin Jamal

29. 26
BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION
STRUCTURE AND
MATERIAL
ANALYSIS
MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION
DEWAN BAHASA DAN PUSTAKA
MENARA DBP

30. 27
MATERIALS IN CONSTRUCTION
Menara Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka exists in two sections which is the Older Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka
Office and the Office Tower of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.The Old Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Office has a
reinforced concrete hall with 19-feet high ceiling spanning over via steel roof truss, together with a glazed
mosaic mural wall and a 5 storey administration block with vertical-segmented section facade and modular
glazed panels on the metal framed windows. Menara Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka is mainly built up of precast
lightweight concrete structures and aluminium framing with modular glazed panels used as full sized windows.
OLD BUILDING DEWAN BAHASA & PUSTAKA
REINFORCED CONCRETE
Reinforced concrete is a composite material of which the relatively low tensile strength and ductility of concrete
are counteracted by the insertion or placement of metal re-bars before the concrete sets as reinforcement to
achieve higher tensile strength and ductility.
In the 1960's, reinforced concrete was popularly used in the construction industry for a strong, durable and
ductile building structure. This is because of its high relative strength and high tolerance of tensile strain.
Bowstring truss used in the construction of the roof truss for the raised auditorium to provide the structural sup-
port for the 19 feet ceiling and made it posible to create a 63 feet wide column free auditorium space.

31. 28
STEEL
Steel was chosen as the material of choice because of its easy to manipulate, flexibility to design and easy to
install. Steel also led to improved quality of construction quality and requires less maintenance, whilst offering
improved safety and resistance characteristics. It is still favored to this day in the construction industry.
METAL & MODULAR GLAZED PANEL
Metal framing was used to support the modular glazed panel for the windows. The modular glazed panel with
metal framing enables the light to pass through into the building and insulates heat out. Asides that, the verti-
cal-segmented metal facade which portrays modernist architectural style at the time serves the function of wall
division to install the window panels.
GLAZED MOSAIC TILES
The 65 feet wide and 25 feet high mural art on the wall of the auditorium was finished with glazed mosaic tiles.
Influenced by Braque & Picasso, theartist Ismail Mustam carried out a design with the requirement that to finish
the mural art with mosaic. The mural art's durability is prolonged as the result of using glazed mosaic tiles.

32. 29
DEWAN BAHASA & PUSTAKA TOWER
Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka Tower was built on transfer, BOT project. At the time of construction, the tower
received a concession from GDP Architect to finance, design, construct then operate a facility stated in the
concession contract. This enabled the project proponents to recover its investment,
operation and maintenance expenses for the project. The year for repayment is 17 years as agreed on conces-
sion contract, starting from the year 1999 till 2017
LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE
In the 1990's, lightweight concrete was still a newly introduced material for construction in Malaysia. Dewan
Bahasa & Pustaka Tower was the first high rise building to use lightweight concrete as the main materials in the
country due to the greater strength, lower thermal conductivity and lower coefficient
of thermal expansion of this material.
.

33. 30
ALUMINIUM
Aluminium was first used in large quantities for building construction in the early 1920's for ornamental purpos-
es. But in 1930 a breakthrough was achieved when major structures in the Empire State building were made
of aluminium.
Due to the influence of modernism of western architecture aluminium was used in the construction of Dewan
Bahasa & Pustaka Tower not only for aesthetic purposes but the benefiting characteristics of the material as
well.
Hollow aluminium bars were used as the materials for the window frames to support the glazed glass panels.
Heat is also insulated out of the window and daylight was allowed in for natural lighting due to the design.
The iconic "butterfly" roof on the top of Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka Tower is also built up of aluminium truff. The
design of the roof using butterfly truss gives the appearance of an open book that also is used to support the
outer glazed panel of the building.
Aluminium also makes the time taken to build the building less and also more durable as aluminium is corrosion
resistant, requires no finishing or coating and minimal maintenance to upkeep its condition. Aluminium also has
environmental and ergonomic benefits and also has the strength to support large glass structures although
lightweight when compared to steel.

34. 31
done by
0326479 | Muhammad Aqil Bin Mohd Azli

35. 32
ARCHITECTURAL
ELEMENTS
AND
COMPONENT
ANALYSIS
FACADE
LOUVERS
MURAL
STAIRCASE
DETAILS

36. 33
Façade Treatment
A regular geometric shape is repeated along the façade of the second building block and also implemented in
the first block to create a sense of unity in the design
Louvers
The louvers along the facade allows natural air ventilation inside the building and also acts as a buffer differenti-
ating between the top and bottom levels of the building.
Mural
Designed by Ismail Mustam after winning a competition, this iconic mural is a feature that makes Dewan
Bahasa dan Pustaka unique. Introduced in 1960, the subject of the mural depicts “The Malayan Way of Life
and The National Language”. The mural also symbolizes the 5 roles that a book plays and the impact of the
book towards social progress in society.
Spiral staircase
The spiraling staircase inside the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka really creates a sense of grandeur inside the
building. Along with its wider size from the usual staircase, it provides the proper feeling of openness and scale
as it leads to the hall which is just as intricate and filled with traditional elements as the rest of the building.
Details
Concrete Carvings - Intricate carvings on the front of the building creates a very traditional feel to the building
and also increases the visual appeal of the building. This is primarily due to the fact that the building represents
a hub for all the rich history and culture in the city. With it once being the source of literature and language stud-
ies in the city.
Wood Carvings – The front of the entrance also has wooden elements and wood carved panels attached to
the columns of the front entrance. This also makes the building have a traditional and cultural feel to it and is
really emphasized considering this element is at the starting point of the block.
Wooden panels – Inside the multipurpose hall, wooden panels have been used to not only add to the traditional
and cultural atmosphere of the building, but to be used as soundproofing material. The wooden acoustic
although doesn’t have the soundproofing ability of more modern materials, it provides the adequate amount of
soundproofing for a space that size and also has a larger aesthetic value compared to conventional methods.

37. 34

38. REFERENCES
35
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