2. Differences between Malay and Chinese Traditional Houses
Tradition is the collective knowledge, experience and behaviour of our ancestors.
These traditions although considered primitive by modern generations have in many ways
influenced the construction of different types of traditional house in different countries.
Traditional houses have many good aspects, socially and environmentally. These aspects
are unknown territory and should be explored and adopted in the modern contemporary
built environment .One significance of traditional house is that they are built in harmony
with the climate and natural environment .Now, let us explore the many differences
between the types of architecture, materials and history of Malay traditional houses and
Chinese traditional houses.
The first difference between Malay traditional houses and Chinese traditional
houses is architecture. The architecture of Malay traditional houses is designed based on
tropical solutions in building design. The traditional Malay houses are an important source
for the creation of Malaysia‟s identity in architecture and exhibits the creativity and
aesthetic skills of Malays. For example, “ Rumah Terengganu” was built entirely from
Chengal wood and without the use of a single nail. However, Chinese traditional houses
are made by Chinese architecture and the designs practiced by them tends to make the
houses face south because Chinese people believe in Fengsui which harmonizes the
interaction of people with their living space and natural environment. The use of bright
colours such as red, orange and yellow has become a characteristic of the Chinese
buildings in which these colours represent an ethnic rite. For example,“Shieyuan” is a
traditional house Chinese architecture has had a major influence on the architectural
styles of Korea, Vietnam and Japan.
The second difference between Malay traditional house and Chinese traditional house
is that they are made of different materials. Most of the Malay traditional house is made by
3. lightweight natural construction material especially wood , bamboo and leaves are used for
floors and walls for protection against rain. For example, the materials used for construct
„Rumah Limas Bugis‟ include „Cengal‟, „Keranji‟, „Penak‟ and „Meranti‟ wood that can easily
found in Malaysia In a traditional Malay house. Malay traditional house is also designed to
suit the warm and humid to suit Malaysia climate and for the multifunctional use of space
which can ensure suitable natural vegetation in the surroundings to provide a cooler
environment. However, Chinese traditional house despite the different geographic
conditions, it dwellings are usually designed around the common value. The most common
building materials for houses in China are earth and wood, both of which have positive
associations. Most of the Chinese traditional house is made by brick and stone because it
gradually became more common and replaced wooden edifices. For example, the high-
grade building material in “Forbidden City” located in Beijing is glazed tile was used
exclusively on palace buildings of the regal house of the big mansions of nobles.
The third difference between Malay traditional houses and Chinese traditional
houses is the ancient history. Most of the ancient Malay peoples of South-East Asia
maintained a form of self-regenerating environmental culture. The Malay architecture
has been influenced by Indonesian Bugis, Riau and Java from the south. For example,
„Rumah Limas Bugis‟ is the traditional house style is influenced by the Bugis of
Sulawesi, Indonesia. Nevertheless, the historical factors play an important role in the
Chinese architecture to emphasis of ornamentation on the temple and association
buildings is considered important among Chinese believers. For example, The Chinese
house type, “Siheyuan”, is deemed to be the embodiment of the Confucian institution
which has ruled the traditional Chinese society. The people historically developed
diverse housing styles that adapted to each particular region and climate.
4. In conclusion, there are many differences in Malay and Chinese traditional houses,
such as the types of architecture, materials and history. The conservation of these
traditional values in the context of conservation and revitalization of architectural heritage
is in a sense the preservation of culture. The different aspirations of people from different
regions can be seen when we look at houses in different regions. The difference between
the houses in every state shows that Malays itself is not the same. Each of them has their
own perceptions in designing of the house influenced by a different factor culture and
tradition is an identity to a society that needs to be preserved for future generations.
