ISTANA KUALA CEGAR by Farhana Isa

Department of Architecture , Kuliyyah of Architecture & Environmental Design

Pergi ke Bendang menaiki rakit Bendang terletak di kota lama Berdiri gah di Anak Bukit Istana Kuala Cegar diberi nama

Published by Istana Kuala Cegar Heritage Studies 2009 Kuliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design International Islamic University of Malaysia Jalan Gombak Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia www.iiu.edu.my Editors Asst. Prof. Ar. Dr. Abdul Razak Sapian Asst. Prof. Dr. Noor Hanita Abdul Majid Authors Nor Fadilah Mohamed Ansari Anikala d/o Muniundy Siti Aisyah Raimi Cover Designer Mohd Fadhli Ilias Research Group Mohd Makhathir Yatiban Mohd Isa Aziz Jaafar Mohd Hanif Halim Shahril Hizan Hijas Norita Johar Norain Pungut Muhammad 窶連fif Salim Mohd Arshad Basirum Siti Ramziah Mohijan Nursuhaila Abdullah All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writting from the publisher

TABLE OF CONTENTS Editorial Board Foreword by Dean Foreword by Head, Department of Architecture Foreword by the Course Coordinator Acknowledgements Preface Background Studies of Malaysian Architecture The Malay Palace Sultan Mansur Shah Palace Istana Balai Besar Istana Seri Menanti Colonial Influence in Malaysia Palladian Style Indo-Sarcenic Background Study of Kedah Istana Kuala Cegar History of Anak Bukit The development of Anak Bukit Site Planning Early history of Istana Kuala Cegar Spatial Organisation Architectural Influences Art of Construction Introduction Foundation Wall Floor Roof Openings Staircase Ornamentation Conclusion Photo Album References Glossary

ix x xi xii xv

viii

This book is dedicated to all students who have contributed to the

FOREWORD BY DEAN

making of this book. Assalaamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, Pulau Pandan jauh ke tengah, Gunung Daik bercabang tiga,

The rich influences brought into the state of Kedah through its long

Hancur badan dikandung tanah,

historical development give impact to the people, religion as well as

Budi yang baik di kenang juga.

architecture of Kedah. Colonial period in Kedah was an important episode to the local development. Assimilation of Islamic belief with the western civilisation results in a unique heritage to the state.

Thank You.

Numbers of colonial bungalows in Kedah were adapted with local flavours and Islamic principles are the evidence of these statements I believe that all the information gathered by these students will explain in further detail the development of Muslims in Kedah and also the significant of colonial bungalows towards the development of the state. I thank all those who have involved in the production of this priceless work especially to the 9th batch of third year students of IIUM. Thank you, WassaIaam.

Prof. Mansor Ibrahim Dean, Kulliyyah of Architecture & Environmental Design (KAED)

FOREWORD BY ARCHITECTURE

HEAD,

DEPARTMENT

Assalaamualaikum warahmatullahi wabaraktuh, The history and development of architecture in Kedah may not have been an interesting topic for some and also unknown to those who have not yet explored or discovered it. But in truth, the rich history of Kedah has greatly influenced the diversity of the local architecture. The students have proven that their trip was not all fun and games but also fruitful especially in acquiring knowledge of the colonial architecture and also to know the Islamic perspective underlying the design. I am confident that the works done by the students will be the key to enlighten many people on the rich culture and architecture of the people especially the Muslim communities in Kedah. I congratulate the third year architecture students from the 9th

FOREWORD BY THE COURSE COORDINATOR

Assalaamualaikum warahmatullahi wabaraktuh, Alhamdulillah, the heritage studies 2009 managed to be completed by the third year architecture students. Every detail of this exhibition owes much to their determination and hard work in completing the required tasks. The heritage trip is not only provided the students with hands on experience of the local people culture but to self witnessed the unique architecture of Kedah. A holistic learning experience is not only bounded in the classroom but also by exploring the world outside the four walls of their classroom. It is hoped that all the work done by the students will greatly benefit everyone. Throughout the semester we managed to foster a sense of appreciation in every student and also to hold on to the principle that knowledge is meant to be shared.

batch 2009 for their hard work in making this exhibition a success.

Thank you, Thank you,

Wassalaam.

WassaIaam. Asst. Prof. Dr. Zuraini Denan Assoc. Prof. Ar. Datin Norwina Mohd Nawawi Head, Department of Architecture, KAED

Course Coordinator, Heritage Studies 2009, KAED

xii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

xiii

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Alhamdulillah, by the Grace of Allah S.W.T, the Heritage Studies of

We would also like to extend our gratitude to other fellow lecturers

‘Istana Kuala Cegar: a nostalgic splendour behind a humble facade’

supervising this course including Asst. Prof. Dr. Zuraini Denan, Asst.

were finally completed with success. We would like to express

Prof. Dr. Zaiton Abd Rahim Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Raza Soomro, Asst.

our over whelming gratitude to Istana Kuala Cegar caretakers,

Prof. Dr. Aida Kesuma Azmin, Asst. Prof. Ar. Dr. Abdul Razak Sapian

especially to En.Maniam, Pn.Mariam and En. Haji Naim for their

and Asst. Prof. Dr. Noor Hanita Abdul Majid, for their advices and

kind contribution and assistance to ensuring the smooth sailing

assistance throughout the whole semester.

and accomplishment of this course. We would also like to extend our heartiest appreciation to Kedah Historians, Dato. Dr. Haji Wan ShamsuddinYusof and Tengku Zainurashid, Wan Shamsuddin Mohd Yusof. All the information helped us to clarify every doubt regarding the data gained from the research study and internet sources. We would like to extend our gratitude to the Department of Architecture, KAED for providing a moral, monetry and materials supports for the Heritage trip which was very helpful and reduced our burden. Our heartiest appreciation is also due to all group members for their utmost endeavour and determination in making this event a success. We would like to deliberate our gratitude to those who had been working hard, contributing ideas and every little effort for this course.

Our credit also goes to our family for their moral and financial support throughout this coursework. Last but not least to the group members of KEDAH ‘09, for your diligences and full and tireless commitments towards the accomplishment of this work and to those who gives hands on helping us intentionally or unintentionally. Thank you.

xiv

PREFACE Attempting to bring together the unique identity of a single

colonial style, with its freely extended floor space in which

palace, Istana Kuala Cegar, this book is an abstraction of

exteriors and interiors are linked by terraces and large

an architectural understanding with a close association

projecting roofs.

on architectural styles and details of the palace. Starting from the earlier palaces in Kedah dating from the early

The substance of designs contained in this book also

12th century, the emergence of different palaces and its

enables one to observe many of the related characteristics

influences which in turn contributes to the materialization

that constitute an overview of the present state of palace

of Istana Kuala Cegar are carefully explained in this book.

architecture. The pages of this book constitute an inevitable reflection of ideas and multitude of historical values

An understanding of a historic yet relatively artistic and modern architecture, this book depicts the ancient history of the architectural heritage in Kedah and within a focus on Istana Kuala Cegar. The introduction to this precedent overview of palace architecture does more than simply establish a clear and precise classification of the emergence of palaces in the recent years. It also explain the many influences that put a mark on the many buildings in Malaysia. The bringing of the colonial influence in Malaysian architecture holds a big impact on the public buildings which in turn have a greater impact on the history of Malaysia. Istana Kuala Cegar is one of the palaces that reflect the

depicted in the palace known as Istana Kuala Cegar.

BACKGROUND STUDY ARCHITECTURE

MALAYSIAN

THE MALAY PALACE Traditional Malay Palace are specially designed to house

Malaysia consists of predominantly Malay people, and

the Malay Sultans and their families. The principle

the Malay architecture style is recorded as the earliest

element of the palaces are common gathering area in the

in the evolution of Malaysian architecture, with the

form of Audience Hall, Balal Besar or to accommodate

contribution made by the Chinese and the Europeans.

royal ceremonies and formal functions. The Audience

The Malay, Chinese and Colonial architecture all

Hall are designed to accommodate dignitaries and

form a vital part in the formulation of the Malaysian

member of the public for royal ceremonies of the Sultan.

architectural heritage. The development of Malaysian

The palaces may incorporate many additional sections

architecture can be divided into three major phases.

but the conception of space nevertheless follows the

same principles as the Malay house. The palaces used The first phase is the development of the Malay

the rectangular plans and roof shapes as houses, the

Archipelago over several centuries. The second phase

materials used in the construction of the building and

is the infiltration of foreign building traditions, mainly

the roofing materials were largely hardwood timber.

Anglo-Indian, Indian, and Chinese Building styles during the colonization period. The third phase that

SULTAN MANSUR SHAH PALACE

is the revolutionary modern, hi-tech and post-modern

The oldest indigenous palace structure recorded was

architecture were imported to Malaysia during the

the palace of Sultan Mansur Shah when the city of

period after the nation’s independence. The first two

Malacca was at the height of prosperity in 1465. The

phases can be regarded as the ‘Traditional Era’ and the

palace is said to have been raised by a seventeen-bay

third phase can be classified as the ‘Modern Period’ in

structure with wooden structure with wooden pillars,

Malaysian architectural development.

which support a seven-tiered roof and was clad with copper shingles and decorated with gilded spires and Chinese mirrors.(Sheppard, 1972). This palace was destroyed by fire.

The replica of Sultan Mansur Shah Palace

ISTANA BALAI BESAR

ISTANA SERI MENANTI

The oldest surviving example of a traditional Malay

The last timber palace built in Peninsula Malaysia is

palace is the Istana Balai Besar or the Palace with

Istana Seri Menanti at Sri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan.

the Great Hall in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. It was built by

This palace is four storeys’s high and has a Minangkabau

Sultan Mohamed II of Kelantan (1836-1844) in 1839as

influence as indicated by a slight upturn roof. The four

a replacement when he decided to leave his former

main wooden pillars are sixty feet high that constitute

palace on the Island of Saba.

the central portion or tower of the structure. For the

purpose of decoration, there is a forked projection over The layout of the Palace The original structure of the palace consists of four parallel units, oriented in the east-west direction. The first section is Balai Tarik, followed by Balai Lintang,

the apex of the roof that features the silang gunting (gable horns). The layout of the Palace

Peranjungan Istana, and Dapur. Many structural

The first floor consists of reception rooms and a broad

alterations have been made to the layout of the palace

verandah. At one end of the verandah is a dais from

since the flood in 1908. Latest addition to the palace

which the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar granted audiences

is a double-storey brick structure and was built at the

to his subjects. On the second floor are the family

south side of the original palace.

bedrooms, including the state bedroom. The third floor

contains the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar’s private apartments,

1 Istana Balai Besar 2 Istana Seri Menanti in Negeri Sembilan 3 Front view of Istana Seri Menanti 4 Decorative elements on the facade of the palace

The lower floor consists of the Dewan Sambutan

and the fourth which is the central tower, used for the

(Reception Hall), and Balai Penghadapan (Audience

royal archives and the prayer room. These rooms could

Hall). The upper floor consists of the Balai Hamba

only be reached by mounting a steep ladder in the royal

Seraya (servant’s room), and Bilik Istirehat (Living

chambers. The entire palace has been constructed

Room).

without nails. Skillful carpenters used hardwood dowels and rivets. It was the tradition for members of the royal family, courtiers and guests to sit on the floor.

COLONIAL INFLUENCES IN MALAYSIA When the British colonial regime step foot in Malaysia, they made a big impact on the architectural scene in Malaysia. The British colonial period begins in 1786 and Malaysia starts to experience the impact of classical influences, predominantly the concept 3

of harmonic proportions, symmetrical planning and order.

As the British colonization expand in Malaysia, their influence on the colonial architecture became evident in most building built during that time. The very first

colonial building built in Malaysia is in Penang. One

of the colonial building in Penang is the Syed Al-Attas mansion.

5 1 2 1

The Syed Al-Attas mansion in Penang 2 The Malayan railway Administrative Headquarters

2 3 4 5

Typical 19th Century Colonial House. Typival Colonial house plan in Malaysia Verloop house in Singapore, 1909 Song Soon Guan house, 1884 Bishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Residence at Stanford Road, 1886

PALLADIAN STYLE

INDO-SARCENIC

Palladian architecture was developed in Europe,

The Indo-Sarcenic style originated from the British

establish by Andrea Palladian. This style utilize

Colonial Architecture in India. Some of the buildings

symmetrical planning and harmonious proportions

built using this style are the Sultan Abdul Samad

and with Greek and Roman motifs.

building (1897); Malayan Railway Administrative

Headquarters (1911) and General Post Office (1896). The façade of a Palladian building is usually divided into

These building also referred to as having the styles of

three distinctive horizontal parts-a raised basement, a

Indo-Islamic, Euro-Islamic or Moorish influence.

principal storey (ground floor) given prominence by

its ornamentations and large openings and the upper

The Islamic influence is seen in the use of graceful

storey with smaller square openings.

domes, minarets and pinnacles while the classical influence is seen in the architectural device of the

The verticality of the central part of the façade is

multi-storey loggia, such as arched openings and in

emphasizing by the presence of a central door,

some cases two or more different arches in one single

a Venetian window or by special ornamentation

building.

such as a triangular pediment with columns and

pilasters. Istana Tetamu in Kuala Lumpur incorporate

Most colonial buildings are equipped with large

the palladian style in its architecture. The mansion

windows openings which create a brighter internal

encompasses the Palladian ‘Villa Trissino’ theme

space and increase the amount of air entering the

such as the extensive verandahs, particularly on the

building that in turn encourage the process of natural

upper floor. Another example of building use the same

ventilation.

theme is Carcosa Seri Negara in Kuala Lumpur.

1 2

Front entrance of Istana Tetamu The Carcosa Seri Negara

3 Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Kuala Lumpur 4 Arched loggia of Sultan Abdul Samad building

1136

1323

1236 Kota Bukit Meriam

Kota Sungai Emas

Kota Siputih

BACKGROUND STUDY OF KEDAH

Kota Sungai Emas, 1236-1323

The administrative centre in Kedah had started since

This city was established by Sultan Muzzil Shah in the

the beginning of the Kedah Sultanate, Starting from

year 1236. He was the fourth Sultan of Kedah. It is the

the first Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Al-Muzaffar Shah.

second administration centre in Kedah after Kota Bukit

Below are the sequence of the administrative centre

Meriam. In 1323, the centre moved to Kota Siputih

in Kedah.

under the rule of Sultan Mahmud Shah

Kota Bukit Meriam 1136-1236

Kota Siputih 1323-1626

The Kedah Sultanate starts in Bukit Meriam which

Kota Siputih was built in the year 1323 by Sultan

was located in Daerah Kuala Muda. The first Sultan

Mahmud Shah (1280-1321). He establish Kota Siputih

of Kedah to embrace Islam is Sultan Al-Muzaffar Shah

(Daerah Kubang Pasu) and Kota in Sungai Merpah (in

(1136-1179). There was four Sultans who once resided

Pulau Panjang, wilayah Setul) as the centre of defence

in Kota Bukit Meriam. Kota Bukit Meriam is the first

in the north region. Kampung Siputih is located in

administrative centre before it was moved to Kota

the west of Padang Sera in daerah Kubang Pasu.

Sungai Emas.

Kedah was under the attack of Acheh because of the

competition in the trading of pepper. This was the last incident before the centre was moved to Kota Naga.

1 2

Kota Kuala Muda Kota Siputih

1626

1664

1654 Kota Naga

Kota Sena

1687 Kota Indera Kayangan

1735 Kota Bukit Pinang

Kota Star Istana Pelamin

1927

1907

1904

Istana Pumpong

Istana Sepah Cendra

1930 Istana Kuning

1939 Istana Anak Bukit

Istana Kuala Cegar

Kota Naga, 1626-1654

After the death of the sultan in 1687, the fort was

It is located around 20 km from Alor Setar, in Daerah Kubang Pasu. Kota Naga was established by Sultan Rijaluddin

Muhammad

Shah

(1626-1651),

the

thirteenth Sultan. Sultan Rijaluddin is the first Sultan 1

in Kedah to published written law of Kedah in the year 1650.

abandon but came to function again when Tunku Dhiauddin became Sultan Dhiauddin Mukarran Shah II (1797-1804). Kota Bukit Pinang, 1687-1735

Kota Bukit Pinang was first established in the year 1664. In the era of Sultan Abdullah Muadzam Shah

Kota Sena 1654-1664 Kota Sena is located in the district of Sena, not far from Kangar town, Perlis. During that time, Perlis is

still part of Kedah. Kota Sena was established by Sultan Muhyiddin Mansor Shah (1651-1661), the fourteenth Sultan.

(1698-1706), the seventeenth sultan. His brother Tunku Ibrahim was appointed as the Raja Muda during that time. Tunku Ibrahim stayed in Kota Limbong

which is located 9km from Alor Star. Kota Star or Alor Star, 1735 until Now Kota Star, later known as Alor Star was establish in the

Kota Indera Kayangan, 1664-1687 3

This city is located near Sungai Perlis in between Kangar town and Kuala Perlis. It is establish by Sultan 1 2 3

Istana Pelamin Istana Pumpong Istana Sepah Cendra

Dhiauddin Mukarram Shah I.

year 1735. Right until now there has been ten Sultans to reside here in Alor Setar. Alor Setar has become the

main administrative centre until now. 4 5 6

Istana Kuning Istana Anak Bukit Istana Kuala Cegar

After Kota Setar was established, the erection of many

attack and captured by Siam. He took protection under

palaces took place by different Sultan at various places

British in Penang. As the result, the Burney treaty

since 1710.

(1826) was established and he had to flee to Melaka.

Kedah was constantly under attack during that time. Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin Muadzam Shah

Counter attack made by Tunku Kudin, Tunku Sulaiman

II, 1710-1778

and Sultan to retrive Kedah failed by the stronger

Sultan Muhammad Jiwa is the 19th Sultan to move from Bukit Pinang to Kota Star. He built the fort and together with Balai Besar and Balai Nobat. Istana Pelamin was built during his time.

force of British and Siam. Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin went back on throne in Kedah from Melaka in 1841. He died

in the year 1843 and was known as “Marhum Melaka”. Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Mukarram Shah, 1854-1879

Sultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah, 1778-1797 He is the 20th sultan and his brother Tunku Dhiauddin was the Raja Muda. Around his time, Siam starts to attack Kedah after much interference on the Kedah administration. This had lead the Sultan to allow 2

Captain Francis Light under the Syarikat Hindia Timur to reside in Pulau Pinang (1786). He also rebuilt Kota Kedah with the help of Syaikh Abdul Jalil (Maharaja Kadhi) from India.

He was the twenty second Sultan to rule Kedah. He elected his brother, Tunku Dhiaudin (Tunku Kudin) as the Raja Muda (1859) and then the position was past down to Tunku Yaakob due to Tunku Kudin political carier in Selangor. Tunku Yaakob elected Tunku Abdul Hamid Halim after the death of Sultan Zainal Rashid II, the twenty-third Sultan. 4

Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, 1882-1943 He is well known as the “Bapa Kedah Moden”, where

Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Halim, 1805-1854

changes were made in modernizing the city.One of

He was the twenty-first Sultan of Kedah. During his

the accomplishment is the Wan Mohd Saman canal

reign, there was a power struggle but was ended with

(1885). It was built for the progress of agriculture

the help of Siam (1808). During his reign, Kedah was

(paddy cultivation).

1 2 3 4

Balai Nobat Balai BEsar Masjid Zahir built in 1914 Balai Nobat built in 1753

“Pada 3 Januari 1866, Tengku Dziauddin membuat

The name Anak Bukit came from the existing small

istana kecil di atas bukit (Anak Bukit) dan di dalamnya

hill located at the center of this town. According to

cukup dengan perhiasan serta tembok batu…..mulai

Mohd Yusoff (1977), the hill was man-made. When

dari pembinaan istana itu maka Anak Bukit kian

Siam attacked Kedah, the Malays built their fortress

berkembang atas arahan Tengku Dziaudin, Tengku

on this hill because of its strategic location. The hill on

Yaacob…..pada 1866 telah menghubungkan jalan

anak bukit was formed when a moat was excavated to

besar daripada Anak Bukit sampai ke Kepala Batas.

protect Anak Bukit. This happened when Kedah was

(pg 327)”

attack by the Siam during 1980s. A trench was dig out

around Anak Bukit to form a river which now name as Sungai Anak Bukit Kecil. This trench connects to the existing Sungai Anak Bukit

to form an island in the centre thus giving protection

HISTORY OF ANAK BUKIT Anak Bukit is a town located in Kota Setar Satu. The real history behind the materialization of Anak Bukit is not known. However it is believe that it has existed since before 1860. According to Al-Tarikh Salasilah on the 3rd January 1866, Tengku Dziauddin built a small palace on top of a hill (Anak Bukit) fill with decorative elements. As cited in Al-Tarikh Salasilah:

and security towards Istana Anak Bukit which is located on top of the hill. The Istana Anak Bukit has existed on the hill since the year 1911. There is only one main entrance towards Anak bukit during that time. A land of 44 acres, Anak Bukit consists of Istana Anak Bukit, Istana Kuala Cegar, Billiard House, and Taman Tanjung. 1 Entrance bridge towards Istana Anak Bukit 2 A village near Sungai Kedah. This river is the main river connecting to the Sungai Anak Bukit. 3 Kedah river is the main transportation route for travellers and fishermen.

DEVELOPMENT OF ANAK BUKIT

Culture

The development of Istana Kuala Cegar is parallel

Another cause for the development is the cultural

with the development of the Anak Bukit, as it is

activity that becomes the main function of activity

located within the compound of Istana Anak Bukit.

center in Anak bukit. Games such as the bull fight is

The earliest resident building in Anak Bukit according

held annually in Anak Bukit.

to Al-tarikh Salasilah is a small istana build by Tengku Dziaudin in 1866. This istana is the starting point of the development in Anak Bukit. The two major

factors contributing to the progress of Anak Bukit is economics and cultural.

Economic progress of Anak Bukit

2 Alor Setar had three main street, leading to Kedah river. The street were, Jalan Raja, Jalan Pekan Melayu and Jalan Pekan Cina. The picture shows Jalan Pekan Melayu in the year 1905.

Ibrahim, the bull fight known as kerbau berlaga, held twice a year and mostly in wedding parties. In Anak Bukit, the game is being played in a field directly across the Taman Tanjung. Another cultural activity held in Anak Bukit is an

Anak Bukit is the main center port for agriculture

exhibition called â&#x20AC;&#x153;showâ&#x20AC;?. The show takes place in

production especially in paddy. Anak bukit is also

Taman Tanjung within the anak bukit compound. The

the trading point between Kepala Batas and Pekan

show consists of agriculture exhibition and cultural

Langgar. Around 1870s, the population around Anak

performance such as Menora and Makyong.

Bukit increases and consists of labors from China and 1 Pekan China Street was most important commercial development of Alor Setar as it was located along the Anak Bukit River leading to the harbour used by ships importing goods needed by the State.

According to an article written by Wan Adli bin Wan

India. Small businesses such as shops and drugstores are own by the Chinese whereas restaurant and barber shops are dominated by the Indians.

SITE DESIGN

In the compound of Anak Bukit, there are three main structures originally built since the very early development of Anak Bukit. The Billiard house, which is located adjacent to Istana Anak Bukit are connected from the main entrance with the wooden bridge. This 1

is the indoor recreation place for the Sultan and his guests. The Istana Anak Bukit is located on top of a small hill and is the official residence of the Sultan of Kedah. The palace is grand and colossal and has rich

ornamentation. the palace is also surrounded with various gardens and pleasant landscape. At the end of the road from the main entrance is where Istana Kuala Cegar is located. Besides building structures, the Anak Bukit compund has a big garden known as the Taman Tanjung. this is

where the Sultan entertains his guest for tea party and royal ceremonies. Most of the cultural performance are held here in Taman Tanjung 1 Billiard house

1 Billiard house 2 Istana Anak Bukit 3 Istana Kuala Cegar 4 Taman Tanjung

2 Istana Anak Bukit 3 Istana Kuala Cegar 4 Taman Tanjung

EARLY HISTORY OF ISTANA KUALA CEGAR

SPACE PLANNING

Istana Kuala Cegar is the last istana to be built during

Istana Kuala Cegar adopted the hierarchy system in

the time of Sultan Hamid Halim Shah and it is located

space planning. The planning of spaces are according

within the compound of Anak Bukit Built in the year

to the hierarchy by the separation of spaces. The

1939, Istana Kuala Cegar was first built to place the

separation is either by the use of different floor

former Raja Muda during the time of Sultan Abdul

levels or by the use of hallways. The ground floor

Hamid Shah.

consists of living room (bilik tetamu), the sign room,

dining hall(bilik santapan), audience hall (balai The first Raja Muda to stay in Istana Kuala Cegar is

penghadapan), billiard room, guest’s bedchambers

Tengku Ibrahim followed by Sultan Badlishah, the son

and servants’ quarters.

of Sultan Hamid Halim Shah. The last Sultan to reside

in Istana Kuala Cegar is Sultan Halim Muazzam Shah

The living room act as a transition place for the

who is now the current Sultan of Kedah.

officials and the Sultan’s guests before proceeding to

the Audience Hall. The Audience Hall accommodates The function of Raja Muda was to govern the country

royal ceremonies and formal functions with

in the name of the Sultan, from off whose shoulder he

dignitaries and public representative. The space

was expected to take the routine administration. All

opens up towards the secondary entrance where the

important matters of state were dealt with the Sultan,

beautiful garden, the river and the jetty can be seen.

who controlled the finances of the state.

The dining room opens to a terrace overlooking the garden.

3 1 Eagle pond at Taman Tanjung 2 Timber bridge connecting to Istana Anak Bukit and the main entrance to Anak Bukit 3 Entrance bridge to Istana Kuala Cegar.

The arrangement of spaces in Istana Kuala Cegar is according to the basic needs and privacy. The first gradient of privacy is between the society and the family. However, there must be enough indication of social welcome in the sense of inviting the guests to grace the house. The needs of entertaining guests and the needs for privacy are given in the following hadiths.

Sunan Abu Dawud (1991) stated: Abu Shuraih att-Ka’bi reported the Apostle of Allah (May peace be upon him) as saying: He who believes in Allah and the last Day should honors his guest. 5

Provisions for the road are what will serve for a day and night hospitality extends for three days; what goes after that is sadaqah (charity). And it is not allowable that a guest should stay till he makes himself an encumbrance (Vol III, p. 1058).

4 5 6

Audience Hall Main Bedchamber Secondary Bedchamber

Next to the terrace is the Billiard room. Unlike the separate billiard room for Istana Anak Bukit, the space is built inside Istana Kuala Cegar.

Next to the billiard room is the two guest’s bedrooms for royal guests to spend the night. There is a long corridor leading to these rooms. this corridor also separate the spaces above with kitchen, preparation room and the servant’s quarters. The first floor plan consists of the main bedchamber and the secondary bedchamber. The main bedchamber is the room of Raja Muda, whereas the secondary bedchamber is for the Raja Muda’s wife.

4 8

2 1

A Ground Floor Plan of Istana Kuala Cegar 1 Audience Hall 2 Living Room 3 Dining hall 4 Servant’s quarters 5 Billiard Room 6 Guest Bedchamber 7 Kitchen 8 Preparation Room B First Floor Plan of Istana Kuala Cegar 9 Secondary Royal Chamber 10 Main Royal Chamber

10 10 B

ARCHITECTURAL INFLUENCE Istana Kuala Cegar has both the influence of British Colonial and the Art Deco styles. The involvement of British in the Peninsula Malaysia gives a profound influence on the political system, administration, architecture, and lifestyle of the country.

The influence of the colonial style can be seen from the faรงade of the building, the column that support the structure and the molding frame of the windows, doors and the ceiling. This entire element can be considered as Roman architecture even though 2

the building is in colonial design. This is due to the adaptation of Roman architecture in colonial style of British. There is also several building element influence by the Art Deco due to the coming trend in the Early 1920s. The Art Deco style played major significant role in the element of Istana Kuala Cegar. This can be seen from

the use of flagpoles and pediments in Istana Kuala Cegar which is the main elements of Art Deco styles. It 1 District Hall built in 1903 2 Early bungalow in Penang 3 Typical colonial bungalow in Malaysia

can be concluded that Istana Kuala Cegar is a hybrid of Colonial style and Art Deco.

BUILDING MORPHOLOGY Istana Kuala Cegar has not made many changes since

INTRODUCTION CASE STUDIES

the construction of the building. According to En.

The building system of Istana

Maniam, the caretaker of Istana Kuala Cegar, changes

Kuala Cegar is divided into two

was only made on the door and window the building.

parts which is the structural

All louvers had been changed to glass and wood panel.

system and the non-structural

This is because installation of air-condition unit on

system of the building. The

each room was made.

structural system of Kuala Cegar is designed to support and c

In terms of the building function, what was once

transmit applied gravity and

the resident of Raja Muda is now only use for royal

lateral loads safely to the ground

functions. Other than that the house is left vacant

without exceeding the allowable

The usual function held in Istana Kuala Cegar is royal

stresses in its members.

weddings. The house occasionally will receive royal guest or friends of Sultan to stay in Istana Kuala Cegar. Tengku Puteri Intan Syafinaz, daughter of the Sultan, occasionally stays in Istana Kuala Cegar when she is not staying abroad or in Istana Anak Bukit.

Kuala Cegar can be divided to two parts which is the substructure and the superstructure. The substructure is the underlying structure forming the foundation of

building

whereas

the

Ground Floor a

extension of the building above 1 Side view of Istana Kuala Cegar. 2 Water fountain in front of Istana Kuala Cegar.

First Floor

The structural system of Istana

superstructure is the vertical

Roof Construction

the foundation. This includes columns, beams, walls and the roof structure.

3 Building system of Istana Kuala Cegar

FOUNDATION The foundation is the lowest division of a building, constructed partly or wholly below ground. Its primary function is to support and anchor the superstructure above and transfers the load into the earth.

The foundation applied in Istana Kuala Cegar is strip foundation. Strip foundations to walls are normally used were in lime concrete but in Istana Kuala Cegar, bricks bedded in lime mortar was used.

3 1 Right Elevation of Istana Kuala Cegar 2 Left elevation of Istana Kuala Cegar 3 Aerial view of Istana Kuala Cegar

4 Section A- A 5 Section B-Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

WALL The load bearing wall in IKC is built using clay brick. The wall is 380mm in thickness which is thicker than normal ordinary house. Colonial houses were basically of load-bearing brick-wall construction. Walls were

normally ten inches thick except on the ground floor

of some two-storey houses where there were 14

inches thick. Chinese bricks, either manufactured A Detail construction of floor, wall and staircase Legend 1 380mm in thickness clay brick with 19mm plaster on both sides 2 25mm thick hardwood floor board 3 50mm x 50mm hardwood floor joist

locally or imported, were used. the walls are erected using english bond. the wall are thicker than normal house because the bricks are double layered to give a strong structure for a load bearing walls. The walls

then are finished with stucco. 2

FLOOR The Floor system in Istana Kuala Cegar is built using the wood joist flooring system. For the ground floor

construction the floor joist is placed within the load bearing wall.

On the first floor, same method of construction is construction, the joist is inserted inside the load bearing wall to form a frame for the floor boards to rest on.

B Detail construction of floor Legend 1 380mm in thickness clay brick with 19mm plaster on both sides 2 25mm thick hardwood floor board 3 UAC board

being used. Using the floor joist in the timber jointing

1 & 2 Floor joist using hardwood

ROOF

Method of Construction

The roof system functions as the primary sheltering

The roof system of IKC is

element for the interior spaces of a building. The roof

pitched roof of a modern

and slope of a roof must be compatible with the type

design. There are two types

of roofing. The construction of a roof also controls the

passage of moisture vapor, the infiltration of air, and the flow of heat and solar radiation.

of roof truss were used.

The rooms with upper floor were built with timber truss, whereas spaces with no

SLOPING ROOF

Since the is no ceiling on the

upper floor, the roof truss

The slope of roof affects the choice of roofing material,

can be seen which gives

the requirements for underlayment and eave flashing, and design wind loads. Sloping roofs shed rainwater easily to eave gutters. Sloping roofs have a structure of, wood or steel rafters and sheathing, timber or steel beams, purlins, and

2 1 Exposed rafter in the main bedchamber 2 View of the sloping roof

decking, and timber or steel trusses.

upper floor used steel truss.

A Legend for Main bedchamber roof 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Clay roof tile at 30 degree 50 x 50mm batten @ 280 apart 200 x 25 mm hardwood fascia board Gutter 150 x 50mm hardwood rafter @1000mm apart 380mm thk hardwood with 19mm plaster on both sides 50 x 50mm hardwood ceiling joist UAC board

an aesthetical appearance to the room. Wood rafters are placed on top of these trusses and the roof finishes of terracotta tiles. Terracotta tiles are made from clay which is capable to store heat and radiated it into the interior. However, to avoid the adverse effect of the roofing material, ceiling cover made of timber were introduced.

NON - STRUCTURAL SYSTEM

OPENINGS

Non-structural elements of a building are not part of

DOOR

the main load-resisting system. It is completed and enhanced the function and aesthetics of structural system.

There are twenty-four types of doors all together. Most of the doors which are twenty-two types of the doors in Istana Kuala Cegar are made of wood. It has

The simple structure would unable to provide barriers

been since the first early settlements; wood has been

to protect the household from intrusion as there are

the traditional material for doors. The readily available

no devices to control unwelcome entry through the

natural material which can be cut, shaped and joined

portal. Door was invented to fix this problem. A door

with simple hand tools thus made it the obvious

clearly define the spaces either the public or private

material for making doors.

area effectively.

All of the doors are of conventional swinging doors

Window and door will increase the robustness of the

using copper hinges. Most of the doors used have the

interior ambience and provide aesthetical pattern to

colonial style such as the glazed door, paneled door,

the otherwise monotonous plain structure exterior

and traditional panel door. Most of these doors had

wall. For example, a fully glazed wall will provide the

been used in the peak of colonial era.

luxury to appreciate the outside view in the comfort of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s building.

Another non-structural element is the stair; it is for access between floors and different levels in buildings. Responsive built environment been produced by the combination and interaction of non structural element and structural element. 3

1 Two panel glazed door 2 3 Four Panel 4 5 6 6

GLAZED DOOR

MATCHBOARDED DOOR

Glazed door is a common form of traditional wood

The matchboarded door which is also known as

door for external use. It has glazed panels to admit

utilitarian doors is made with a facing of tongued,

daylight into the space. The door is framed as solid

grooved and V-jointed boards which are nailed to

lower panels with upper glazed panels.

horizontal ledges, braces between ledges or to a frame.

It is usually placed at the exterior door, such as that in Istana Kuala Cegar, where most of the external door using glazed door for example at the main entrance, 1

These relatively crude doors are sometimes described as matchboarded doors because of the comparatively thin boards from which they are made.

door entrance at the audience hall (balai menghadap),

The type of matchboarded door used in Istana Kuala

door along the dining hall (bilik santapan), and door

Cegar is the framed and braced matchboarded door. It

from the royal bedchamber to the terrace. Another

is an entrance door from the servantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; quarters to the

feature of the colonial influence is the simplified

main building.

version of the fanlight above the window panel which also allows sunlight. Glazed door installed in Istana Kuala Cegar is at the interior space such as the entrance towards the royal bedchamber and entrance towards the guest bedchamber. These interior doors give a sense of grandeur towards the space and also admit natural 2

lighting towards the room.

1 Two panel swing glazed door 2 Four panel glazed door

In Istana Kuala Cegar, the upper part of the door may be glazed in one square of glass or more typical as

PANELED FOOR Paneled doors are framed with stiles and rails around panel or panels of wood. The stiles and rails are cut from timber of the same thickness. The door is hinged on one side to open, thus it tends to sink on the lock stile. The stiles and rails have to be joined to resist the tendency of the door to sink and the two types of joint used are mortice and tenon joint and a dowelled joint.

several squares of glass in putty or glazing beads in

The spaces using this type of door are toilets, entrance

glazing bars. The glazing bars are through tenoned to

to the dining hall (bilik santapan), entrance towards

stiles and stub tenoned to rails.

the hall way, store and also entrance to the royal bedchamber

Window

The traditional paneled door was constructed with

There are 17 types of windows Istana Kuala Cegar.

four or six panels with central framing members such.

These windows are categorized into three which is

It is termed as muntins, tenoned to rails. The door at

louvered window, glazed window and fixed window.

Istana Kuala Cegar use the six panel doors. For example the

entrance door to the royal

bedchamber, entrance door to the dining hall (bilik santapan) and also entrance doorto the toilet. The advantages of this traditional six panelled door is

As the window is part of the wall to the building, it serves to exclude wind and rain. It also act as a barrier to excessive transfer of heat, sound and spread of fire in much the same way that the surrounding wall or roof does.

that the width of the panels is limited to reduce the

The most common windows used in the Istana Kuala

possibility of shrinkage cracks and the shape of the

Cegar are timber louvered window. According to

panels emphasizes the verticality of the door.

Zulkifli Hanafi (2000), the louvered window type is commonly used in the time of colonial era. Thus it

For aesthetic purpose, the six panel door is usually finished with molding cut on stiles, muntins and rails on both sides.

becomes a significance of the colonial style. Louvered window is a blind or shutter with horizontal slats that are angled to admit light and air, other than it is to keep out rain, direct sunshine and noise. Spaces used this type of window are at the servantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; room, kitchen, guest bedchamber, audience hall (bilik menghadap), sitting hall (bilik tamu), dining, preparation room and toilet.

two panel glazed door in the dining hall 1.Matchboarded door at the preparation room

Staircase This traditional window is usually designed to

Generally there are six staircases in Istana Kuala Cegar.

ventilate rooms through one or more parts that open

The main staircase which is the one leads to the first

to encourage an exchange of air between inside and

floor is made of concrete and finished with timber

outside. Ventilation is not a necessary function such as

lying on it.

fixed window at Istana Kuala Cegar located at the main staircase . Its main function is for admitting natural day lighting.

This stair is known as a half turn stair rises. It has a landing between floors, turn through 180Ë&#x161;, then raises parallel to the lower flight to the floor above, hence it

The durability of the traditional material for windows

is called half turn. The handrail used is simple and it is

which is wood has been established over centuries.

made of timber combination with steel balusters.

Most of the windows style has the influence of colonial. During the intervention of the British they built most of the building with this typical window type which is also applied in Istana Kuala Cegar.

At the bottom step of the staircase, is framed to project beyond the newel post and be shaped as half circle. By projecting from the enclosing string into the floor the bottom step gives the sense of the stair belonging to the floor as well as the staircase.

Another type of window used in Istana Kuala Cegar is the wood casement window. This type of window typically installed with the glass. It admits natural lighting even the windows are closed. In doing so the ventilation can be controlled. Spaces that has installed this typical type of window are the guest bedchamber, royal bedchamber, and dining hall (bilik santapan).

1 1 Staircase that leads to the first dloor

DECORATIVE ELEMENTS

In architecture and decorative art, ornament is a decoration used to embellish parts of a building. 1 Legend of the staircase 1 300 thk brick w/ 19mm thk plaster on bothsides 2 95mm x 95mm decorative handrail 3 Metal baluster 4 40mm dia. bull nose 5 280mm width of threads 6 160mm height of risers

Architectural ornament can be carved from stone, wood or precious metals, formed with plaster or clay, or impressed onto a surface as applied ornament. A

6 5 4

wide variety of decorative styles and motifs have been developed for architecture such as pottery, furniture, metalwork. The design and motif are mostly based on objects found in the natural and socio-Cultural environment.

A half space landing is constructed with landing joists and floor boards. In addition, it gives support to the joists of the half turn landing.The top of the handrail is fixed height of 900mm vertical from the treads to the top of the handrail. The other staircases are used to elevate the palace, which leads to the audience hall. It served to buffer against undesirable condition like floods. The staircases are also defining a transitional space between the interior of the palace and its outdoor environment.

According to a research done by Zarina binti Hussein (1993), the floral motifs of three roses symbolize Paradise to the Sufis (Muslims who belongs to a certain religious group to devote their lives in search for God and understanding the spiritual aspect of life). The blossomed shaped roses are said to freshness as well as happiness of the flowers themselves. The circular motifs represent guiding cosmos.

CONCLUSION Istana Kuala Cegar has its own significant and styles in the architectural design and value, where it applied the architectural culture of several identities, such as Malays, Siamese and Colonial. As the official resident of Raja Muda, the house has great influences by the Royal palaces in the use design, decorations and finishes of the buildings. Looking towards Istana Kuala Cegar, it is known that Sultan Hamid Halim Shah put a very high

The Arabic ornament has been merged with some other kind of motif to create a pattern at the railing

hope on the Raja Muda and acknowledge him as a very important person in KEdah.

along the Games room. As seen in the picture, the

The palace has a vital significant design that differs from

Arabic ornament is in the middle of the pattern and

other houses at the district and era. Although the design

another type of floral motif is joined in the both side.

adopted from the Colonial and Art Deco Style, there are

In malay carving, this pattern is called ‘lingkaran daun’.

still the remaining of the Malay traditional Architecture

The type of lingkaran daun used in this ornamentation

design elements which in turn fulfill the needs and

was more simple compare to ‘lingkaran daun’ that

the culture of Malays. It can be concluded that the

came from Siam which is a complicated version.

coming British into Kedah not only brought changes to the administration but also the construction and the architectural style of the buildings in Kedah, Istana Kuala Cegar is one of the significant building in Kedah and became the starting point for the changing of the buildings style in Kedah.

1 & 2 Floral motifs

REFERENCES

Jon Lim. (2001). Transforming Traditions, Architecture in the Asean Countries. Singapore: Unique Press Pte Ltd

Lee Kip Lin. (1995). The Singapore House 1819-1942. Sinapore: Times Editions Preservation of Monuments Board.

Zulkifli Hanafi. (2000). Reka Bentuk Rumah Kolonial di Malaysia. Pulau Pinang: Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia