Architectural Conservation

1. School of Architecture, Building and Design
Architectural Conservation
Tutor: Mr Azim
Group Members:
Lee Kai Yung 0318314
Chong Yu Xuan 0317950
Loo Yee Pei 0329148
Izzat Abdul Muhaymin Bin Jafri 0319437
Anith Syazlin 0325737
Shafereena Isreen Binti Mohamad Ishak 0325915
Arvindhan Balasingam 0319753

2. 1.0 Historical Background
1.1 Raja Chulan
1.2 The Abandoned House
2.0 Social Background of Raja Chulan
3.0 Architecture background
4.0 Dilapidation survey
5.0 Proposal of adaptive reuse
5.1 Program
5.2 Spatial planning
5.3 Materiality
Table of Content

3. a road that has brought much convenience to the people
of Kuala Lumpur as it links two busy areas, namely Masjid
Jamek and the Golden Triangle.
Renamed after Raja Chulan (formerly was Weld Road) in
1982
Currently (since 1982) named after Raja Sir Chulan, Raja di
Hilir Perak, the first Malay unofficial member of the
Federal Council (1924–1933);
formerly named after Sir Frederick Aloysius Weld ( 1823 -
1891), Governor of the Straits Settlements.
Raja Chulan
DYAM Raja Sir Chulan ibni
Almarhum Sultan Abdullah
(Raja Di-Hilir: 1920-1933)
- urged the British to
improve the Malay’s people
economic standing and
their access to employment
in the civil service.
- vocal in other matters of
British administration of
the Malay States
- first Malay ever to be
appointed DO location map
1.1 Historical Background Jalan Raja Chulan

4. O L D M A L A Y A
In the late 1870, European coffee planters in Ceylon left
the island to try their luck in Malaya because a fungal
disease had decimated their crops.
By 1880, the Honorable R.B. Downall obtained two
concessions; 77 hectares (194 acres) on a hillock near
the heart of Kuala Lumpur, which he named Weld Hill
after the Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir
Frederick Weld.

5. 8 dilapidated heritage buildings
it was built in around 1930 and called the ‘’Serani Row’’ (also
known as Eurasian, a landmass consisting of the
traditional continents of Asia and Europe)
this colonial building used to be the glamorous residences of
the Eurasian community
OLD MALAYA; PAMPAS
little knows about this building, it is however very well
possible that one part of this building was once the
home of F.B. Hicks
( Secretary of the Selangor Planters' Association)
1.2 Historical Background of the Abandoned shophouses

6. R E L A T I O NTHE Façade - they do boast two intricate crests, each bearing
the acronym "oEs", a feature vaguely reminiscent of the
Eastern & Oriental Hotel's crest in Penang, another one of
British colonial area.

7. Jalan Raja Chulan offers a glimpse into KL’s history. City
folks are much used to Jalan Raja Chulan, as thousands of
them drive past without a second thought to its past or
present. It is a road that has brought much convenience to
the people of Kuala Lumpur as it links two busy areas,
namely Masjid Jamek and the Golden Triangle.
Landmark
Menara KL is easily one of Malaysia’s most recognizable
and popular landmarks visible from Jln Raja Chulan.
Currently the 18th-tallest freestanding structure in the
world.
The Menara KL offers the experience of a revolving
restaurant on top of the tower, with a 360 degree view of
the city night sky. It sits atop the Bukit Nanas (Pineapple
Hill) Forest Reserve, the oldest gazetted forest reserve in
the country.
The tower’s architectural style reflects Malaysia’s Islamic
heritage with walls inscribed with Arabic scripts and floor
tiles, floral motifs and abstract patterns.
2.0 Social Background of Jalan Raja Chulan
Menara Kuala Lumpur

8. Economy
Jalan Raja Chulan is one of the most important place in
Kuala Lumpur because the economy here grow rapidly.
This is due to the construction of KL Monorail near that
area which make the transportation much easier.
Examples are Raja Chulan Station and Bukit Nanas
Station.
The Weld shopping centre, is the most obvious
reminder of the street’s previous name.
This area is also one of the tourist attraction due to the
presence of KL Tower.
Very crowded at both day and night time that lead to
the factor of heavy traffic jam, especially during the
peak hours.
The Weld shopping centre
Raja Chulan Station

9. The area is very crowded with people, most of them
are Malaysian, but a lot of foreigners and tourist
visiting the place as well
Most of them came here to work, study and sight see
Nationality
Along the Jalan Raja Chulan itself, there are a lot of
private colleges.
The presence of these colleges is also the main factor
of different nationality mixture.
Thus, lead to different language spoken.

10. Nightclubs are an almost inevitable part of Kuala
Lumpur’s social life.
There are quite a few city streets that play host to
after-dark venues that range from custom-built
super-clubs to classic pubs with niche
soundtracks.
Strategically located between Jalan P.Ramlee and
Changkat Bukit Bintang.
Jalan Raja Chulan is considered one of the main
road for nightlife.
The Best Nightlife is placed near Jalan Raja
Chulan to dance, drink and party are Providence
KL , SkyBar, Luna Bar, Sultan Lounge, Heli Lounge
Bar and Pisco Bar.
Jalan P.Ramlee
Changkat Bukit Bintang
Life Style

11. 3.0 Architecture Style
The old abandoned house structures that located along
Jalan Raja Chulan was built during the colonial era in
1931. This row of abandoned houses is the combinations
of 8 old colonial houses which facing the busy and heavy
traffic road; Jalan Raja Chulan which formerly known as
Weld Road. In addition, this row of abandoned houses
originally known as Serani Row. The two unit which
located on the left and right side (the corner unit)
currently is in a very poor condition which can defined as
completely derelict. The six units that located in between
of the row is vary from abandoned to just habitable. In
olden days, this row of old abandoned houses probable
represented the best and elite accommodation in the city
and formerly home of the Eurasian community
Center Door
Two Storey Building design
Abandoned Houses along
Jalan Raja Chulan

12. 3.0 Architecture Style
The colonial architecture was influenced by European
and Chinese which had symmetrical design with a central
entrance. Besides, colonial architecture also had air well
which currently known as courtyard. Colonial
architecture normally designed in 2 storey high. Windows
and ventilators was designed to locate at roof top to
bring in natural ventilation to cool down the interior and
exterior of the building itself.
Air Well/ Courtyard
Windows and Ventilation under roofline
Characteristic of Colonial
Architecture in Malaysia

13. NO AREA BUILDING DEFECT TYPE OF DEFECT SUGGESTED TREATMENT
1 Concrete spalling
Concrete spalling can be
seen on the walls on the
building. Concrete where
carbon dioxide reacts to
chemical within the
concrete. The steel
reinforcing bars within the
concrete begin to corrode
and expand, causing the
breakage on the surface.
Concrete spalling
treatment
In order to effect repairs,
spalled concrete must be
removed and any exposed
steel must either be
replaced or cleaned and
treated. The area is then
repaired to the original
concrete profile using
cement mortar, epoxy
mortar or concrete,
depending on the size of the
damage and the structural
requirements. Cracks are
repaired using suitable
epoxy resins, social mortars
and injection techniques.
2 Concrete wall cracking
Diagonal cracks con be seen
on the wall of the shophouse
which emanate from the
corners, these cracks and
other changes in the shape
of the wall are called re-
entrant cracks and are a form
of shrinkage crack. The cause
of cracking in concrete wall is
due to the foundation
experiencing stresses over a
long period of time and also
the increase in temperature.
Crack injection
Epoxies for crack injection
are available in a range of
viscosities from ultra thin to
paste-like(such as the
emecole epoxy crack repairs
product). To accommodate
cracks of different widths.
Coles advice is to use
whatever viscosity is needed
to inject a given crack at
pressure less than 40 psi.
The wider the crack the
thicker the material required.
4.0 Dilapidation Survey

14. NO AREA BUILDING DEFECT TYPE OF DEFECT SUGGESTED TREATMENT
3 Degrading paint
Paint can be seen cracking
and flacking off, exposing
the previous paint colour as
well as the concrete base.
This has affected the
aesthetic of the shop
houses.
Repaint
4 Biological activity
The presence of pigeon
creates unsanitary
conditions on the five
footway of the shop houses.
The droppings by the
pigeons can be found on the
floor tiles. Pigeon dropping
appears to be the most
important source of the
disease fungus Cryptococcus
neoformans in the
environment. The fungus is
typically found in
accumulations of droppings
around roosting and nesting
sites. For example attics,
cupolas ledges and water
towers.
Cleaning

15. NO AREA BUILDING DEFECT TYPE OF DEFECT SUGGESTED TREATMENT
5 Defective plaster
Defective plaster occurs
mostly on external walls,
column and ceiling of the old
buildings. It is mainly due to
biological attacks arising out
of penetrating rain, water
evaporation, condensation
process, air pollution,
dehydration and thermal
stress on old building
materials. Prior to being
decomposed and broken
apart, plastered rendering
may become cracked due to
either shrinkage or
movement in the substrate
itself
Crazing is a network of fine
cracks, usually in a
hexagonal pattern, which
measures between 5and
75mm across each hexagon.
Craze cracks are usually very
fine and shallow and do not
extend through the whole
depth of the plaster
6 Defective rainwater
goods
Common problems
associated with the
defective rainwater goods in
old building include sagging
or missing eaves gutter,
corroded or broken
galvanized iron down pipes
or leaking rainwater heads
Maintenance of guttering
Scoop out the rubbish from
the guttering using a trowel
or a piece of card bent into a
scoop within the profile of
the gutter. To prevent the
downpipe becoming
blocked, do not push the
rubbish into the top of the
downpipe. When you have
removed all of the solid
rubbish, flush the guttering
with water

16. 5.0 Proposal of Adaptive Reuse
Adapted use:
Visitor Centre
After the initial analysis and survey of the site. we
noticed that there is a large amount of European tourist
around the area, exploring the desolated houses that
once stood proudly as houses of the elites. We then
decided that it could be adapted into a visitor centre of
Jalan Raja Chulan. Symbolising and introducing the rich
history of the area to visitors. Giving the tourist and
visitors to the area a better understanding and direction
of the place. A new landmark for the area that they can
pin to their maps.
Example of visitor center in Stockholm
Booths, brochures and information counters ready to help guide and navigate the
visitors throughout the city
Gallery
A quick walkthrough of the history of the place, depicted through pictures, models,
videos etc.

17. Wayang Kulit
Mak Yong
Theatre
The intention of the visitor centre is to provide a unique
experience of education and entertainment. The centre
will provide ample information of the historical
background Jalan Raja Chulan and further deepen the
experience by providing visitors a chance to re-live the
past of the area. From galleries to an interactive theatre
play that takes you throughout the building.
The interior of row of houses will be modified by first
restoring to its original state with few spaces connected
due to its aging and break down of walls, more room for
larger spaces and activities. The first floor will be made to
accommodate a lounge, a gallery hall and a restaurant.
The parts first floor will be restored to its original state, it
is to showcase the settings and context the houses the
elites live in the past, the other parts will be adapted to
office and other practical spaces. The first floor is also
where the main theatre spaces are.
The theatre is a showcase of the rich history through the
form of art and story telling. The play will take place
throughout the building, bringing the visitors to
experience the old historical architecture used by the
elites while enjoying a story telling performance that
brings the history to life
5.1 Programs and activities

18. Gallery
The ground floor of the centre will mainly contribute as a
gallery, that briefly explains the culture and history of the
area through exhibits like artwork, sculptures, models
and pictures. There will also be an area where a video
explanation will be provided along with seating for
visitors to rest.
Green Pockets
The air wells of the buildings will be converted into small
pockets of garden, as a area isolated from the dust and
noise of the city streets. We intend to create a buffer
zone in the concrete jungle of the city, a place where the
users can enjoy a small breath of fresh air.

19. On the ground floor consist of reception office, gallery,
open lounge, multi purpose room and retail. Row of 8
unit, few of them are internally connected for larger floor
area and also for ease of movement. The entrance of
each unit are separated and each unit have its very own
unique display, about history of Jalan Raja Chulan and
history of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Open lounge with air
wells are in between spaces and gallery, these act as a
buffer zone during visitation.
One unit is dedicated for retail shop and its related to the
gallery. This retail shop mainly focusing on local art and
craft and is located at right end of the row, as a ending of
visiting centre.
5.2 Spatial planning
Reception
Staff Office and Pantry
Gallery
Lounge
Retail
Legend
Ground Floor Plan

20. On second floor, theatre dominating most of the space.
Some spaces wall will be demolish to create more spaces
as it will not affect the historical value of the original
building, mainly partition walls. This theatre is capable
for 50 people, consider as a relatively small theatre. This
theatre theme “Malaysia Culture”, because of its function
as a visitor centre, it is best to showcasing some tradition
of Malaysia culture such as various type of dancing
performance and drama. Behind the theatre there will be
a back stage including changing area for preparing.
Other spaces will be dedicated for display gallery. A
passage corridor is created to connect every unit on first
floors. When it lead through spaces. The spatial
arrangement on this display gallery is a reflection on key
plan of Kuala Lumpur.
Theatre
Corridor
Gallery
Legend
First Floor Plan

21. To retain the building’s originality, best way to reflect is
through original material. The exterior façade will be
leave unchanged but with repair work for retaining value.
On interior, using characteristic of colonial architecture
as theme, heavy brick work through out the whole
building. Thick and solid wall as partition and
compartmentalize spaces with a very strong sense of
enclosure. The brickwork is with plaster and paint
finishes to retain it original style. Floor tiles are being
used for entire building as it reflected the original of a
colonial residential building, so floors should be well
protected.
Wall – Brick wall with plaster
and paint finishes
Floor – Quarry floor tiles
Countertop – Bricks work with no finishes
Gallery display – Steel frame
Seating (For theatre) – Wooden chair
Stage (For theatre) – Plywood
5.3 Materiality
Gallery space
Floor on lounge Theatre stage