O L D S TAT E M U S E U M O F K E D A H
photobook
The Kedah State Museum is located only two kilometers from the town centre. The museum is easily accessible as it faces the main road. Masjid Zahir is the state Mosque of Kedah. It sits across the road from the museum, about 1.9 kilometers away.
Alor Setar Tower is one of the main attractions in Kedah. Apart from being a telecommunication tower, it also serves as a tourist destination. It is located in town, about 5 minutes away from the museum.
The old museum and the new museum are situated side by side. They posssess similar features like color and roof type. However, the new museum is bigger and holds more modernist architectural characteristics compared to the old museum.
On the other side of the old museum is the administrative office of the Kedah Branch Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia Cawangan Kedah.
The sun shines its light unto the museum. One of the many sunsets its seen over the years.
On the far west of the building compound are two traditional Malay houses. Behind the houses is a building with event halls catered specifically to the public.
e a st e le va tio n
n o rth p e rsp e ctive
we st p e rsp e ctive
p e rsp e ctive vie w o f th e b a ck o f th e b u i l d i n g
north eleva tion
The roof of the portico.
The roof of the old museum is similar to the new museum. However, the 12-star ornamentation that repeats itself frequently throughout the roofs of the building differenciates it from the other buildings around it.
Grandeur
The portico is supported by 8 tall columns. The portico stands higher than the rest of the building, creating visual heiacy which places emphases on the front of the building. The open spaces allow users to interact with the surrounding environment.
A row of 8 timber columns support the verandahs on either side of the buidling. It evokes a sense of depth.
The cylindrical columns sit on rectangular pedastals.
The windows on the first floor are made of louvered glass panels. It allows natural ventilation as well as abundant of natural light to enter.
The windows on the bridge that joins the main building to the sub building are different from the other windows in the building as they are not louvered.
Windows are decked on every elevation of the building and are paired with simple yet abstract ornamentations above and below them.
Timber louvered windows (left) are used on the ground floor. Some windows (right) are merely repeated patterns made of metal. All windows on the ground floor have been sealed since the installation of air conditioning.
Juxtaposition of the rough and the polished
The portico houses an arching double staircase that converges midway, and then leads to the entrance on the first floor.
The staircase arches elegantly on both sides.
The same tile arrangement that are used on the floors of the building are continued on the stairs.
There is a bench on the landing of the staircase for users to sit on while putting on their shoes after exiting the building.
Staircase leading to the entrace of the building.
The staircase is supported by two short rectangular pillars.
The main entrance to the first floor. Users are required to take off their shoes before entering the office.
Colorful lights are hung along the edges of the roofs as ornamentation. Being round in shape, they complement the pointy fascia board.
Simple yet abstract iron works are placed under the roof of the grand entrance.
Traditional wood carvings are used as ornamentation and are seen mostly underneath the glass louvered windows on the first floor.
Triangular window frames with metal ornamentations.
Carved fascia boards enhance the edges of the monotonous pitched roof, creating visual interest.
Timber strips extend outwards from the middle to form a 12-pointed star. It was believed that this geometrical pattern could drive away evil spirits with its energy.
The repetition of different shapes creates a smooth rhythm along the handrails of the staircase.
Triangular timber ornamentations with diamond shapes in between are placed around the building, creating a distinct layer seperating the ground floor from the first floor.
Ground floor office
Lounge area
The first floor is lit by windows
Office on the first floor
Wooden panels act as partitions to seperate the workspaces
Lounge area on the first floor
Bronze metalworks are hung on the walls of the first floor. They illustrate the culture and traditional activities of Kedah.
This bronze metalwork depict the diversity of religion and races in Kedah.
This bronze metalwork displays traditional activities performed by the locals.
Some of the wooden panels of the arches below the windows have fallen off.
Paint chipping on columns.
The columns are growing old from supporting the structure
Timber rot and peel off due to exposure to rain and shine.