The document provides information about the Old Standard Chartered Building located in Klang, Malaysia. It was built in 1808 and originally functioned as a bank. The neoclassical style building has two blocks separated by an inner courtyard. It has characteristics of Dutch colonial architecture like decorative windows and gables. Over time it was occupied by different entities, from the bank to British administration to now housing Indian businesses. The building provides a glimpse into Malaysia's architectural and economic history under British rule.

1. ARCHITECTURE CULTURE AND HISTORY 2 [ARC 1313]
Tutor: Ms. Shahrianne
Group Members:
Wesley Hew Xin Han 0307585
Lau Ee Tian 0309596
Elaine Bong Poh Hui 0310432
Amelia Michelle Bernard 0310316

2. 1.0 Intro
The Old Standard Chartered Building (Figure 1.1), a once prominent bank used by the community of Klang
was built in the year 1808. It is located in Klang and occupies the corner site of Jalan Istana and Jalan
Hamzah, next to stately Bangunan Sultan Suleiman.
Figure 1.1: The Old Standard Chartered Bank

3. 2.0 Building Layout
The building itself is comprised of two blocks which are separated by an inner courtyard. The bank
originally known as the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China had only utilized one of the block. The
bank consists of the main building, functions mainly as a banking business, and had a covered foot bridge
that connected to an annex that was used as living quarters of the employees as well as stable for the
horses for a period of time. Based on the book ‘The Architectural Heritage of Selangor’ by Mohamad
Tajuddin Mohamad Rasdi from Figure 2.1.
(Source: The Architectural Heritage of Selangor)
Figure 2.1: The Architectural Heritage of Selangor

4. (Source: The Architectural Heritage of Selangor)
Figure 2.2 Ground Floor Plan
(Source: The Architectural Heritage of Selangor)
Figure 2.3 First Floor Plan

5. 3.0 History
The Standard Chartered Bank was founded by the Queen of England, Queen Victoria in the year 1853 and
is an amalgamation of two banks; the first being the Standard Bank of British South Africa and the
Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China in 1969. James Wilson, a Scottish magnate, was the main
pillar of the Chartered Bank that started the operation in London, England(Rasdi, 2012). Due to the strong
support and encouragement from to the England community, Mr. Wilson’s financial business was
successful.
The first bank was opened in Singapore in 1859 which after long negotiations with the authorities allowed
for the establishment of the Kuala Lumpur branch in 1888 on Jalan Mahkamah Tinggi. The branch in Klang
was set up in 1909 after the branch in Pulau Pinang and Kuala Lumpur.
From 1909 till 1996, the ground floor of the building operated as a bank, whereas the first and second floors
were occupied by British administration from 1909 until Malaya gained its independence in 1957. The
ground level of the second block was turned into the horse stables temporarily until 1957.
Today the former bank is being housed by Indians business where various varieties of boutiques of Asian
culture are being sold.

6. 4.0 Context
From the 18th to the 19th century, Malaya was colonized by the British government with its Industrial
Revolution going on in Britain. Enabling them to exploit our natural resources, which the country was full of
at the time; spices, rubber tree, tin and gold mines are several examples of said resources. To make things
easier for them, they began building and constructing infrastructure that may better benefit them in terms of
transportation, telecommunication, economic viabilities and other aspects. Thus, the bank was introduced
to provide lending facilities as part of the commitment to investments, for implementing the yields and
results of the harvests. Kuala Lumpur flourish with the tin mine, making it the nation’s capital, the ideal
location for a financial institute acting as a backbone to the trade, commerce and industry. With traders
setting out shops at the Klang river for its tin mine, boasting its economy into another idyllic location. With
Klang being just 6km from Port Klang and 32km from Kuala Lumpur, the British were lead to provide
facilities like the rail route during the August 1890 for the high demand of tin mine, coffee and rubber. With
both cities rich with its economy, this persuades the British to extend the infrastructure and care for the
financial administration. As Swettenham initiated a rail link between Klang and Kuala Lumpur to overcome
transportation problem thus Malayan Railway was opened 15 years later on 15 September 1901 by
Swettenham (Brickfields, 2007).
During the 19th century, due to the fact that there was a Malay succession war between the royal
families concerning to whom the collection of tax should belong to who, which also disrupted two of the
largest Chinese gangster as they were constantly trying to gain control of the land with its tin production.
This allows the British to interfere with the administration of Malaya by placing Selangor’s first resident, JG.
Davidson, to guide the Sultanate reigning at that period (History of Petaling Jaya, n.d.). During that age,
Klang became the state capital; a royal town due to it being a prosperous town with a strategic location as
an integral role in terms of development of its economy and social aspects. Various accommodations are
located in Klang to accommodate the growing town. The Klang Municipal Council was placed to direct the
administration in Klang. Its building was placed at the surrounding site of our Old Standard Chartered
Building in 1941. Further developments help Klang change into the striving tow it is today, along with other
famous historical buildings and landmarks which are still functional today; several examples being the
Mahkota Puri Castle from the 1899 (Figure 4.1), Istana Alam Shah in the 1905 (Figure 4.2), Sultan
Suleiman Building in the 1912 (Figure 4.3) and the Klang High School (Figure 4.4) which is formerly a
British government school (Portal Rasmi Majlis Perbandaran Klang, 2013). Old shop buildings (Figure 4.5)
were only erected during the 1930s, a brief period after the Old Standard Chartered building was
established, proving that Klang was a progressive town which is slowly equipped with facilities that were
slowly providing. All was done under the British administration lead under the British resident, Frank
Swettenham but was shortly replaced by JG. Davidson, as he was still young.

7. (Source: http://www.mpklang.gov.my/)
Figure 4.1: Mahkota Puri Castle
(Source: http://static.panoramio.com/)
Figure 4.2: Istana Alam Shah

8. (Source: http://www.mpklang.gov.my)
Figure 4.3: Sultan Suleiman Building
(Source: http://www.oocities.org/)
Figure 4.3: Klang High School

9. (Source: http://l.yimg.com/)
Figure 4.4: Renovated Pre-War Shophouses
Socially, due to the amazing development of Klang, it has become a prosperous town leading to the
mass job opportunities surrounding the area. When the tin mine was found, many Chinese immigrates
migrate from China to Klang, due to the overwhelming demand of workers needed for the mining in the 19 th
century. Soon, rubber trees were brought to Malaya, and once again a large number of emigrates from
India migrated to Malaya and began the rubber tapping business. As time goes by, these immigrates began
to set up their business by trying to earn a living and setting up their own homes in Klang, thus increasing
the numbers of population of Klang. Numbers of British officers were placed in Klang as it slowly become a
prosperous town, since they tried to seized every opportunity to control the town properly due to the
businesses set up the British businessman in Malaya by expanding said British administration.
The first bank of the Standard Chartered Bank was located at the heart of the country, Kuala
Lumpur, currently known as the ‘National History Museum’ (Figure 4.5) was formerly the headquarters of
the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China. Being erected during 1888 by A.C. Norman, a British
architect (National Museum of History In Malaysia Tourism, n.d.). Being inspired by the rich Islamic culture
in Malaysia, he designed the building with a blend of Moorish and Islamic architecture style (National
Museum of History In Malaysia Tourism, n.d.), creating a huge contrast from the Standard Chartered Bank
located in Klang with its Dutch architecture style being nothing related to the culture in Malaysia. Norman
also managed to harmonize the building itself with the adjoining buildings around its perimeter. In contrast
to the bank in Klang and its neighbouring shop houses that have been decorated with Indian festive and its
rich culture, though they manage to compromised using the advertisement board display on the exterior of

10. the building. Wood and bricks were the main choice of material used during that period. Bricks could
evidently be seen being used as a part of ornamentation on the façade of Kuala Lumpur. Linking with the
building in Klang, using basically brick and wood, as in the past, the choices of material is limited with the
wall built using bricks and wood as the frame work. The Kuala Lumpur structure has two domes on both the
left and right side of the flat roof, compared to the pitch roof of the bank in Klang, where the tropical climate
of Malaysia was put into consideration with the monsoon season, allowing rain water to flow out. In terms of
ornamentation, using the Moorish architecture element, horseshoe arches forming the extended entrance
to building and the window frames for the ground floor (What is Moorish Architecture?, 2012). Whilst, the
other top half of the façade’s window utilized a slight scalloped window frame as part of an opening to the
structure to infuse the Moorish architecture style. The lack of ornamentation exteriorly is clearly visible due
to the fact that the Moorish were nomads that most commonly living in a tent thus resulting in a more
decorated interior. Only part of the roof was ornamented, by using turrets around the edges of the flat roof
(What is Moorish Architecture?, 2012). Klang, being Dutch colonial style, has the gables on the pediment
which is commonly placed at regularly spaced intervals on the slopes and edges. Relating to the building in
Klang, part of the interior of the structure being renovated to fit the requirement of a silk shop, thus some
elements are being eliminated for a more functional used. ‘National History Museum’ in Kuala Lumpur is
currently what the structure has been transformed to, because of its strategic location, similar to the one in
Klang, which was later transformed into a silk shop due to the needs of the community surrounding its site
and the its location being strategically marketable.
(Source: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/)
Figure 4.5 National History Museum

11. 5.0 Architectural Elements
The Old Chartered Bank has neoclassical style with some Dutch influence (Figure 5.1). Some
examples of Dutch Colonial style include decorative windows with gables, overhanging eaves around full
width of house, and the symmetrical façade. One of the most significant features of the building is the
Dutch style gables with pediments of the façade. Traditional Dutch design can be seen on the three gables
was originated from the early houses in the Cape Town, South Africa making it one unique aspect of the
town (Cape Dutch Architecture, n.d.). The structure has a moderate pitch roof and slight overhung eaves
which were the elements of the neoclassical style, plus pitched roof was a common element in the houses
in Peninsular Malaysia during the 19th century. Malaysia having being in the mid-equator with rainy
seasons all year long required the incorporation of the pitched roof to prevent rain water from entering the
building.
Figure 5.1 Dutch Style Gable
Columns on the entry porch and balusters are the common point between the Old Chartered Bank.
Used as part of a welcoming entrance for the building as to integrate the idea of an architecture structure of
a bank. There are coupled Tuscan column, where the architect managed to incorporate elements from the
Roman order, on both sides of the pediment and vase-shaped balusters forming rows just outside the
windows along the road forming a veranda (Figure 5.2). An orderly proportionate exterior could be seen
with the neatly arranged balusters making it suitable for the bank. The building is symmetrical and
proportional with the centred door and balanced windows. Palladian window used at the front entrance of
the bank facing the road features a clear architectural component of neoclassical buildings. Windows

12. which are all proportionate and adjacent with each other where the architect has managed to relate the
building as a whole combining with the stable structure.
Figure 5.2 The Veranda
Based on the plan (Figure 2.2), the building was formed with two ‘L’ shaped being adjacent to each
other, forming a semi-look of a rectangle (Mohamad Rasdi, 2012). Another significant piece could be
seen in the huge keystone on the arches on the ground floor. The keystones appear to be located only on
the exterior surface of the building rather than the semi-exterior side with the Palladian windows. The key
stone extends as far as the balusters on the first floor as part of the garnishing.

13. 6.0 Design and Concept
The building is categorized as a neo-classical architecture. Neoclassical architecture contains
classical features such as a comprehensive symmetry and clarity, Tuscan column orders, triangular
pediments above colonnades, a balustrade placed along the roofline, organized windows and doorways,
centrally placed domes, as well as white stone or whitewashed brick. Other than that, it includes the use of
different materials and architectural features.
(Source: Thrills And Treasures Of Historical Landmarks Of Selangor.)
Figure 6.1: Old Standard Chartered Bank.
European Style influenced Old Standard Chartered Bank building in Klang. It influenced the Malaya
architecture especially the styles that were modified according to the tropical climate of Malaysia. Besides
that, the styles were combined with the architecture influence of Malay, Classical Portuguese, Dutch and
English.

14. (Source: The Architectural Heritage of Selangor)
Figure 6.2: Western classical details on windows.
Figure 6.3: Windows on first floor.

15. (Source: Thrills And Treasures Of Historical Landmarks Of Selangor.)
Figure 6.4: Vase-shaped balusters.
Western Classical details are portrayed on the first floor windows which are glazed with
square panes and framed by twin Tuscan order columns. Tuscan pillars are also applied to the front
elevation (Gullick, 2007). The pillars are not only for aesthetic reasons but it carries the weight of the wall
above. Other than that, below the windows and in between the arches vase shaped balusters are placed.
Normally, balusters are separated by the same measurement as the size of the square bottom section.
The Old Chartered Bank is comprised of two blocks which are separated by an inner courtyard.
Both ground floor and first floor mainly consist of offices since it functioned as a bank before this.
(Source: Thrills And Treasures Of Historical Landmarks Of Selangor.)
Figure 6.5: Gables and pediments.

16. In Figure 6.5, it shows that Dutch style gables rise up in double tier-volutes. The gables marks to the
L-shaped double storey block which are located above the corner of the main entrance and at each end of
the building. While the pediments are made of bricks and concrete consisting of multiple classical features
that reminisce 14th century European architectural style.

17. 7.0 Conclusion
Although the once well-known neo-classical bank that played a large role in the economic and social
development of Klang has been ultimately altered to serve its current purpose- selling various Indian
clothing- it still stands today as a structure that will continue to inspire future generations and remind us of
the influence of the British people in our great nation.

18. References:
Brickfields. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 11, 2007, from
http://www.studymode.com/essays/BrickfieldsCape Dutch Architecture. (n.d.). Retrieved from
africa/7-sa/24-cape-dutch-
124414.html
http://www.rumadani.co.za/index.php/articles-on-south-
architecture
Gullick, J. M. (2007). History from the Selangor Journal, 1892-1897. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian
Branch of
the Royal Asiatic Society.
History of Petaling Jaya. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://motherearthtravel.com/malaysia/petaling_jaya/history.htm
Lam, S. F. (2008). Thrills And Treasures Of Historical Landmarks Of Selangor. Selangor. (pp.46-47). Shah
Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan: Marshall Cavendish.
Mohamad Rasdi, M. T. (2012). Standard Chartered Bank in The Architectural Heritage of Selangor (pp. 7586). Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor: D'Khairan Sdn. Bhd.
National Museum of History In Malaysia Tourism Info (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.malaysiahere.com/malaysia_museum/national_history_museum.php
Portal Rasmi Majlis Perbandaran Klang. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.mpklang.gov.my
What is Moorish Architecture? (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.hereinthishouse.com/home/2012/3/7/what-is-moorish-architecture.html

19. 8.0 Building Inventory
8.1 Façade 1
Element
Facade 1
Façade detail
Ground Floor
Wall – White painted plastered bricks
Door – Metal roller shutter door
Fenestration – Balanced and symmetrical windows in a row
Window – 4 paneled windows with wooden frames
First Floor
Wall – White painted plastered bricks
Window – 5 paneled windows with wooden frames
Brief description
The facade is balanced and proportional with the decorative windows. There is
polycarbonate roofing above the door, which was not there originally, to prevent
rain from coming in. The huge attractive gable on the very top of the facade
indicates influences from the Dutch.

20. 8.2 Façade 2
Element
Façade 2
Facade Detail
Ground Floor
Wall – White painted plastered bricks
Fenestration – Repetition of windows with vase-shaped balusters along them
Window – Paneled wooden frame windows with a pair of twin entablature on each
sides (advertising boards have covered up the windows)
First Floor
Wall – White painted plastered bricks
Window – Decorative paneled window along roadside (advertising boards have
covered up the windows)
Brief Description
The facade has a row of paneled windows along the side together with the
balusters. There are 3 arches with a large keystone on top on the ground floor
forming a verandah. The large advertisement boards cover up most part of the
facade forming an unpleasing view.

21. 8.3 Interior
Element
Interior Detail
Interior
Ground Floor
Floor - Ceramic floor tiling
Stairs - Marble floor tile with wooden railing and one lading space where mannequins
are put on display
First Floor
Floor - Same as ground floor
Ceiling - Plastered ceiling with classical style chandeliers and down lights
Brief Description
Interior wise, the panels used are woods which are from the past. Using mirrors to
expand the sight of space giving off a spacious feeling. Stairs placed in the center of
building near side entrance, help ease users to fully utilize the space by having easy
access to ground floor and first floor.