Measured Drawings Report

METHODS OF DOCUMENTATION AND MEASURED DRAWINGS (ARC 60305) SYARIKAT WAH SANG BROTHERS, KLANG TUTOR: DR. SUCHARITA SRIRANGAM

華 生 鐘 錶

Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers

Figure 1.1 Photo of Wah Sang Brothers watch shop. (Photo source: SyaďŹ q Deen)

DECLARATION OF SUBMISSION This report is submitted for the module ARC60305 Methods of Documentation and Measured Drawings, to School of Architecture, Building & Design of Taylor’s University to obtain 5 credits for Practicum 1.

It is a group effort by: Ng Lek Yuen Ng Pui Yuan Tan Wei Sen Khoo Yung Keat Muhammad Ros Syaznaim Lindsay Lim Siew Cheng Sak Kar Wai (Ryan) Wong Chee Fon Ong Kar Chun Lissa Lai Jing Ying Tan Zi Wen (Cecilia) Vanessa Chai Pei Yi Phua Vey Suanne (Tiffany) Goretty Lee Pey Shy Ahmad Syafiq Deen Lim Janzen Wajeeha Khan

0324010 0324785 0324564 0324688 0324757 0326844 0326525 0327220 0326487 0326465 0327759 0327887 0327864 0326837 0325116 0331320 0328484

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture January 2018 Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus

Supervised by: Dr. Sucharita Srirangam i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Our group would like to express our utmost appreciation to the following individuals who have actively assisted the team throughout the journey of this module.

First, we would like to thank Mr. Adib as our programme director and Mr. Koh who is our module coordinator, for carefully designing the module to be as beneficial as it is to our learning development. We have indeed gained a lot of experiences over the 8 weeks time.

Next, we would like to express our gratitude towards Dr. Sucharita Srirangam, our tutor for this module, for her support and guidance throughout the site visit, as well as advise on methods of measuring and documenting the buildings accurately and efficiently.

We would like to thank Klang Municipal Council for giving us a substantial amount for information for the research and the Royal Klang Gallery for organising heritage walks that gave an in depth understanding of the historical and cultural value of Klang which eased the research process. Also we would to show our gratitude to Mr. Fai who shared generously shared his knowledge and experience about Klang. Finally, a big thank you to the friendly owners of the shop, Mr Lee Lai Choy and Mr Robert Lee Hon Wai, who allowed us to conduct measuring activities and participated in the interviews throughout our site visit despite it being the midst of their business hours. Without them we would not be able to gather accurate and specific info within the allocated time.

II

ABSTRACT This following report is authored by a group of 17 architecture students from Taylor’s University in completion of the Methods of Documentation and Measured Drawings module. In which the module provides the learning experience of documenting, analysing and measuring a shop house in Klang named, Wah Sang Brothers. The consecutive topics in the report involves data collection of historical background, poetical and cultural understanding, visual documentation and building measurements that is conducted during a period of 5 days on site. Wah Sang Brothers is a simple yet intrigue shop house, it’s way of life in the shop house provides us the understanding of both construction and cultural components. Hence, it provides a great platform for architecture students to dive into the fundamental understanding of all aspects. Therefore, the purpose of the report is to find the essence and significance of the building.

This research is to seek the significance of the building. There is a need in the context of Klang to conserve the history in order to enhance the sense of place. Therefore this research will focus in finding the significance relevant to the building to make the case of conservation.

III

INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTERS The consecutive topic in this report, will be chapters categorised conceptually. The topics are designed and organised in a way to enhance the perception of readers towards Wah Sang brothers and it’s context. By looking at Klang in a bigger picture to focusing into smaller part of Klang and then to Wah Sang brothers, this helps readers to interconnect the relationship between a simple shop lot to its surrounding.

CHAPTER 1: Introduction, introduces the aims and objective of the project and explains a proper transition of how we have thoroughly planned and organised our work from the start till the very last pages of the report as a team. It also demonstrates the methods of conducts that we have used to prepare this report, in which includes research, literature, interviews, model-making, equipments, and etc. This also includes the challenges that we have to go through while producing this report.

CHAPTER 2: Historical Background, records the growth of Klang by looking at its origin, country, state and city. This chapter cultivates the fundamental history and understanding of the location from beginning till present times. It discusses the different ruling power from time to time and further understand the crucial events that has taken place in Klang. Moreover, this chapter introduces the many iconic locations or building situated in Klang that has impacted the lifestyle and history itself.

CHAPTER 3: Contextual Elaboration, discusses three main subjects that inter collides with each other. Firstly, a brief understanding of how different architectural styles has influenced Klang in their iconic buildings will be explained. Then it will continue to discuss about how the shophouses in Klang is consequently influenced by the styles of architecture that will result in an evolution of styles in variety being preserved. Secondly, the topic continues to dive into a smaller scale that is related to our site and explains the different types of streets in Klang. Lastly, it focuses on Jalan Stesen, in which is where Wah Sang brothers is located and illustrates the various events that has happened over the past hundred over years. Having it’s great reputation as the oldest street in Klang, this topic is a stepping stone to understanding the history and cultural aspects that the street upholds. This will progress to how the street is interconnected to Wah Sang brothers and its social aspect.

IV

CHAPTER 4: Wah Sang Brothers, will focus on portraying the relationship and details of every part of the shophouse. From the growth of the business to the architectural style of the shophouse and to the interior spatial articulation, it will also discuss the diverse intangible factors through the spaces by using user’s experience and it’s 5 senses. Moreover, this topics includes our perception from our thorough research and understanding of the significance of the shophouse. This moves into an analysis of how flexibility and rigidity is brought together to explain the essence of the shophouse.

CHAPTER 5: Construction method, materials and details, discusses the building components that encompasses the important structural aspects of the shop house. It also includes the types of material use and details of the shop house that affects its context and user space. The topics will be approached in relation to the buildings context and history.

CHAPTER 6: Current Conditions , discusses the building components that encompasses the important structural aspects of the shop house. It also includes the types of material use and details of the shop house that affects its context and user space. The topics will be approached in relation to the buildings context and history.

CHAPTER 7: Drawings + Photo book, will convey information about the building through illustrations of digital drawing. A photo section will also be provided to enhance the visual interpretation of the site context and shophouse.

CHAPTER 8: Conclusion and Reflection, discusses the building components that encompasses the important structural aspects of the shop house. It also includes the types of material use and details of the shop house that affects its context and user space. The topics will be approached in relation to the buildings context and history.

V

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 1 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 1.1: Photo of Wah Sang Brothers watch shop.

Source: SyaďŹ q, 2018

ii

Figure 1.2: Group Structure and Organization.

Source: Lindsay, 2018

3

Figure 1.3: Chart showing post-site, pre-site & during site Subgroup Division.

Source: Lindsay, 2018

4

Figure 1.4: Schedule Timeline.

Source: Ng, 2018

5

Figure 1.5: 3-5 Metres Measuring tool.

Source: Charlies, 2016

6

Figure 1.6: Laser Distance Measurement tool.

Source: Johnson, 2018

6

Figure 1.7: 30 Metre Nylon measuring tape.

Source: Khoo, 2018

7

Figure 1.8: Ladder.

Source: Lowe, 2012

7

Figure 1.9: Ruler.

Source: Ginifab, 2016

7

VI

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 1 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 1.10: DSLR Camera and Tripod.

Source: Khoo, 2018

7

Figure 1.11: Plumb bob.

Source: Khoo, 2018

8

Figure 1.12: Yarn thread.

Source: Tye, 2012

8

Figure 1.13: Markers.

Source: Le, 2013

8

Figure 1.14: Chalk.

Source: Le, 2013

8

Figure 1.15: Masking tapes.

Source: Le, 2013

8

Figure 1.16: Books used for reference.

Source: Lissa, 2018

9

Figure 1.17: Photo showing the Cultural and Heritage Walk.

Source: Measured Drawings Klang Group, 2018

10

Figure 1.18: An interview process with the owner.

Source: SyaďŹ q, 2018

10

VII

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 2 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 2.1: Map locating Malaysia as indicated in red.

Source: Lissa, 2018

16

Figure 2.2: The land of Kuala Selangor.

Source: Klein, 2011

17

Figure 2.3: Pie Chart showing Population of Selangor.

Source: Cecilia, 2018

18

Figure 2.4: Klang Bell dated 200 B.C. Source: Wikipedia, 2018

19

Figure 2.5: Raja Abdul Samad in Selangor.

Source: Tye, 2011

19

Figure 2.6: Arms of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor.

Source: Wikipedia,2018

21

Figure 2.7: Celebes Island.

Source: Britannica, 2018

21

Figure 2.8: Daeng Merewah.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

22

Figure 2.9: Ptolemy.

Source: Wikipedia, 2018

23

VIII

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 2 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 2.10: Klang Municipal Council Logo.

Source: MP Klang, 2018

24

Figure 2.11: Demography of Klang.

Source: Lissa, 2018

24

Figure 2.12: Sultan of Selangor.

Source: Malaysia monarchy, 2018

25

Figure 2.13: The watch gifted to Mr. Lee Lai Choy from Sultan Salahuddin.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

25

Figure 2.14: Port Klang as major industries areas.

Source: Tye, 2012

28

Figure 2.15: Port Klang as the major role in Klang’s economy.

Source: Tye, 2012

28

Figure 2.16: Gedung Raja Abdullah.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

29

Figure 2.17: Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

Source: Ramber and Wander, 2016

29

Figure 2.18: Galeri Diraja Sultan Abdul Aziz.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

30

IX

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 2 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 2.19: Kota Raja Fire & Rescue station.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

30

Figure 2.20: Street of Little India.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

31

Figure 2.21: India Muslim Tengku Kelana mosque.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

31

Figure 2.22: Chartered Bank building.

Source: CNB, 2013

32

Figure 2.23: Sultan Suleiman Royal mosque.

Source: Wikipedia, 2017

32

Figure 2.24: Klang Convent school.

Source: Wikipedia, 2018

33

Figure 2.25: Alam Shah palace.

Source: Wikipedia, 2018

33

CHAPTER 3 Figure 3.1: The early attap house settlement.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

36

X

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 3 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 3.2: New building styles emerges time to time since Straits Settlements in Malaysia.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

36

Figure 3.3: Klang variety of architecture styles that each was influenced from.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

37

Figure 3.4: The famous Indian streets, good example of strong cultural influence in Klang.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

37

Figure 3.5: The Sultan Alam Shah Palace, main sultanate influence in Klang.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

37

Figure 3.6: The map of Heritage Site of Klang City showing the different buildings of different architecture style.

Source: Lissa, 2018

38

Figure 3.7: The simple outblock Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal gallery allows it to be utilised for many purposes.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

39

Figure 3.8: A symmetrical yet rich in ornamental building reflecting on its Sultanate influence.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

40

Figure 3.9: The golden dome of Sultan Alam Shah palace provides a impression of royalty.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

40

Figure 3.10: The influential European outlook.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

41

XI

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 3 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 3.11: The climatic adapted building provides practical and simple aesthetics.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

41

Figure 3.12: Exterior of Church of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Source: Wong, 2017

42

Figure 3.13: Interior of Church of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Source: Wong, 2017

42

Figure 3.14: The unique Masjid India Muslim Tengku Kelana mosque design is a attraction in Klang.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

43

Figure 3.15: The Gopuran is the main monument of the temple.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

43

Figure 3.16: The ďŹ rst Victorian building in Malaysia.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

44

Figure 3.17: The shophouses.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

45

Figure 3.18: Shophouses serves for economic purposes.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

45

Figure 3.19: The Kopitiam is a common shophouses business.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

46

XII

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 3 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 3.20: The Residential floor.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

46

Figure 3.21: The Back alley.

Source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014

46

Figure 3.22: The mining workers originally from China.

Source: Wong, 2017

47

Figure 3.23: Early shophouse development for Chinese immigrants.

Source: Wong, 2017

47

Figure 3.24: The early urban development.

Source: Wong, 2017

48

Figure 3.25: Frank Swettenham.

Source: Wong, 2017

48

Figure 3.26: Stamford Raffles.

Source: Wong, 2017

48

Figure 3.27: Early urban development in Klang.

Source: Wong, 2017

49

Figure 3.28: Early Klang shophouses.

Source: Wong, 2017

49

XIII

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 3 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 3.29: The early urban development.

Source: Wong, 2017

50

Figure 3.30: The Klang shophouses remain standing strong and continue to serve for the local community.

Source: Wong, 2017

50

Figure 3.31: The Evolution of shophouses in dierent time era.

Source: Wong, 2017

51

Figure 3.32: Axonometric diagram of the shophouse with its main elements.

Source: Wong, 2017

51

Figure 3.33: A row of shophouses.

Source: Wong, 2017

53

Figure 3.34: The long narrow shophouse.

Source: Wong, 2017

53

Figure 3.35: Variety of Facades style, design and colour.

Source: Wong, 2017

54

Figure 3.36: Clean plaster facade with chinese ornamentation.

Source: Wong, 2017

54

Figure 3.37: Decorated Shanghai plaster.

Source: Wong, 2017

55

XIV

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 3 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 3.38: Continuous walkway.

Source: Wong, 2017

54

Figure 3.39: Top view of shophouse pitched view.

Source: Wong, 2017

55

Figure 3.40: Few types of roof tiling.

Source: Wong, 2017

55

Figure 3.41: Rear court not covered by first floor.

Source: Wong, 2017

56

Figure 3.42: Rear court enclose by first floor.

Source: Wong, 2017

56

Figure 3.43: A partially stretched of party wall.

Source: Wong, 2017

58

Figure 3.44: Location Plan.

Source: Lindsay, 2018

60

Figure 3.45: Colour coded blocks indicating different building types.

Source: Lindsay, 2018

60

Figure 3.46: Indication of Jalan Besar.

Source: Lindsay, 2018

61

XV

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 3 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 3.47: Indication Jalan Stesen.

Source: Lindsay, 2018

61

Figure 3.48: Indication of Jalan Sultan.

Source: Lindsay, 2018

61

Figure 3.49: The connection of Gedung Raja Abdullah and Jalan Stesen.

Source: Wong, 2017

63

Figure 3.50: The heart of Malay street.

Source: MBK, 2014

63

Figure 3.51: Japanese community Jalan Stesen.

Source: Wong, 2017

63

Figure 3.52: Royal Klang Gallery in the past.

Source: Google, 2013

63

Figure 3.53: An almost entire row of food stalls along Jalan Stesen.

Source: Anetizen, 2015

63

Figure 3.54: An important food street for the community.

Source: Wong, 2017

63

Figure 3.55: The Klang bridge that completely changed the fate of Jalan Stesen.

Source: The Star News, 2014

64

XVI

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 3 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 3.56: The original flexible circulation around Jalan Stesen.

Source: Wong, 2017

64

Figure 3.57: The Klang bridge restricted flows and made it a one way traffic Source: Wong, 2017

64

Figure 3.58: Inflation and Migration happened in Jalan Stesen.

Source: Wong, 2017

64

Figure 3.59: Today, Klang has flourished as an important business and urban area.

Source: Viralcham, 2017

64

Figure 3.60: One of a few recessed building where its top floors are rented out its office space.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

65

Figure 3.61: Shop lots recessed away from the original shop house’s continuous 5-foot walkway.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

65

Figure 3.62: One of a few recessed building where its top floors are rented out its office space.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

65

Figure 3.63: 5-foot walkway of Sykt Wah Sang Brothers.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

65

Figure 3.64: Peaceful sight and parking spaces in front of each shophouse.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

66

XVII

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 3 FIGURES Figure 3.65: The variety of colours and look of the shophouses brighten up the street.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

PAGES 66

CHAPTER 4 Figure 4.1: A photo of Mr. Lee Lai Choy with his older brother.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

69

Figure 4.2: The construction of Klang Bridge not not only altered the circulation but also affected the businesses of the streets.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

71

Figure 4.3: Mr. Robert Lee, the nephew of Lai Choy, fixing watches.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

72

Figure 4.4: Interview process with Mr. Lee Lai Choy.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

73

Figure 4.5: The business’s timeline.

Source: Ryan, 2018

74-75

Figure 4.6: The entrance with two classic glass display counters, old fashioned timber frame glass and cabinet and clocks welcoming the visitors.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

77

Figure 4.7: The workstation with dark wooden tables and glass timber framed cabinet.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

78 XVIII

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 4 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 4.8: Rear part of the shopfront on the left is where the antique clocks are sent to repair, while on the right is for a quick nap.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

79

Figure 4.9: An atrium that opens to the sky, forming an airwell that brings in daylight, fresh air and rainwater into the building.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

80

Figure 4.10: Transition space as a pantry, lit by daylight that diffuses in via atrium.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

81

Figure 4.11: Middle hall fully stuffed with unwanted goods and unused stock.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

82

Figure 4.12: The upper hall occupied with discontinued stuffs.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

84

Figure 4.13: Partitioned room containing an unused bed, an old standing clocks and fan.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

85

Figure 4.14: 2nd picture from left column: The shopfront of Wah Sang containing petition writer shop and dentistry Source: Robert, 2018

87

Figure 4.15: Front facade of Wah Sang Brother’s shophouse.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

88

XIX

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 5 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 5.1: Concrete flooring system used in Wah Sang Brothers.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

107

Figure 5.2: Wooden floor used in the first floor of the shophouse.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

108

Figure 5.3: Reinforced concrete beam.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

109

Figure 5.4: Load bearing wall.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

110

Figure 5.5: Column.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

111

Figure 5.6: Counter used as the main.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

113

Figure 5.7: Wooden desk.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

114

Figure 5.8: Clocks.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

115

Figure 5.9: Altar.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

116

XX

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 5 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 5.10: Plasterboard ceiling.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

117

Figure 5.11: Partition walls.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

118

Figure 5.12: Corrugated roof.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

119

Figure 5.13: Ceramic tiles.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

120

Figure 5.14: Clay bricks.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

121

Figure 5.15: Paint.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

122

Figure 5.16: Wooden door frame.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

123

Figure 5.17: Wooden and grill doors.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

124

Figure 5.18: Jalousie window.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

125

XXI

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 5 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 5.19: Wire mesh ventilation.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

126

Figure 5.20: Staircase.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

127

Figure 5.21: Air Vent grills.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

128

Figure 5.22: Ventilation blocks.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

129

CHAPTER 6 Figure 6.1: Front elevation of Wah Sang Brothers.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

136

Figure 6.2: Interior perspective of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

136

Figure 6.3: Working area of Wah Sang Brothers watch shop.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

137

Figure 6.4: Counter area of the shophouse.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

137

XXII

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 6 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 6.5: Outer view of the shophouse.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

138

Figure 6.6: Cracks shown on the wall.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

139

Figure 6.7: Rust on the metal grille sliding door.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

140

Figure 6.8: Water stains on the ceiling.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

140

Figure 6.9: Broken pieces of wood.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

141

Figure 6.10: Efflorescence on the wall of the shophouse.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

142

Figure 6.11: The miscellaneous store room.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

143

Figure 6.12: Toilet which is in a bad condition.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

143

Figure 6.13: Exposed nails from the partition wall.

Source: Syafiq, 2018

143

XXIII

LIST OF DIAGRAMS AND FIGURES CHAPTER 8 FIGURES

PAGES

Figure 8.1: Southern part of Klang in a sunny afternoon.

Source: Wikipedia, 2018

232

Figure 8.2 Northern part of Klang. The life here is slow-paced. Hardware shops can be found along the streets.

Source: Google map, 2018

232

Figure 8.3: Street view showing the mix of shophouses along Jalan Stesen.

Source: Ryan, 2018

234

Figure 8.4: 4-storey shophouses that portray the architecture of Early Modern style and International style can be found along Jalan Tengku Diauddin, Klang.

Source: Google map, 2018

236

Figure 8.5: The mural art and art installation of the back alley.

Source: Lissa, 2018

237

Figure 8.6: The subtle and peaceful back alley complemented by colourful walls. Mosses on the wall give back alley a rustic look and worn-out feeling.

Source: SyaďŹ q, 2018

237

XXXI

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2.2 Introduction to Selangor

Overall Flow & Details

2.1.1 Origin of the Name

18

2.1.2 Background

19

Declaration of Submission

i

2.1.3 History of Selangor

20-21

Acknowledgement

ii

2.1.4 Sultanate of Selangor

22-23

Abstract Introduction to chapters List of Diagrams & Figures

iii iv-v vi-xxxi

2.3 Introduction to Klang 2.1.1 Origin of the Name

24

2.1.2 Background

25

2.1.3 Event Timeline of Klang

Table of Content

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

2.1.4 Sultanate

28

2.1.5 Economy of Klang

29

2.1.6 Cultural Landmarks 1.1 Aims and Objective 1.2 Group structure & Organisation 1.3 Method of Conduct

2

26-27

2.4 Summary

30-34 35

3-5 6-10

CHAPTER 3: CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

1.4 Limitations

11

1.5 Introduction to Wah Sang Brothers

12

1.6 Introduction to Research

13

3.1.1 Introduction to the Architecture in Klang

37-45

1.7 Summary

14

3.1.2 Introduction to shophouse in Malaysia and Klang

46-47

3.1.3 History of shophouse in Malaysia

48-49

3.1.4 Birth of shophouse in Klang

50-52

3.1.5 Elements of the shophouse

53-59

CHAPTER 2: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 2.1 Malaysia

17

3.1 Architectural style of Klang

CHAPTER 5: CONSTRUCTION METHOD,

3.2 Streets 3.2.1 Location plan & Existing buildings

61

3.2.2 Jalan Besar

62

3.2.3 Jalan Stesen

62

3.2.4 Jalan Sultan Tengku Diauddin

62

3.3 Jalan Stesen 3.3.1 Evolution & morphology of the street in nine decades 3.4 Summary

64-67 68

CHAPTER 4: WAH SANG BROTHERS 4.1 The Business 4.1.1 The History of Wah Sang Brother

DETAILS & MATERIALS 5.1 Rigidity 5.1.1 Flooring System

108-109

5.1.2 Reinforced Concrete

110

5.1.3 Wall

111

5.1.4 Column

112

5.2 Intertwine 5.2.1 Counter

114

5.2.2 Wooden Desk

115

5.2.3 Clocks

116

5.2.4 Altar

117

5.2.5 Air well

118

70-75 5.3 Temporal

4.2 The Shop House 4.2.1 Building Poetics

76-86

4.2.2 Building Programmes

87-92

4.2.3 Changes in the Building Layout

93-98

4.2.4 Architectural Analysis 4.3 Summary

99-103 104

5.3.1 Ceiling

120

5.3.2 Walls

121

5.3.3 RooďŹ ng

122

5.3.4 Flooring

123

5.3.5 Wall

124-125

5.3.6 Doors

126-127

5.3.7 Windows 5.3.8 Details

128 129-132

5.4 Summary

133

CHAPTER 6: CURRENT CONDITION 6.1 Operation and Functionality of Wah Sang Brothers

135

6.1.1 Spaces

136

6.1.2 Appearances

137

6.2 Defects and Dilapidation 6.2.1 Cracks

138

6.2.2 Rust

139

6.2.3 Water Stains

139

6.2.4 Broken Pieces

140

6.2.5 Timber Deterioration

140

6.2.6 Efflorescence

141

6.2.7 Miscellaneous

142

6.3 Improvements and Suggestions on Design

143

6.4 Summary

144

CHAPTER 7: SCALED DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK

7.1 Scaled Drawings

146-186

7.2 Photobook

187-230

CHAPTER 8: CONCLUSION & REFLECTION 8.1 Conclusion

232-239

8.2 Reflection

240-248

CHAPTER 9: APPENDIX 9.1 Interview Transcripts

250-257

9.2 Glossary

258-262

9.3 Bibliography and References

263-271

CHAPTER 1

Introduction: ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7

Aims and Objectives Group structure & Organization Method of Conduct Limitations Introduction to Wah Sang Brothers Introduction to Research Summary

Aims and Objectives

This module aims to help us develop an understanding of the fundamental building preservation by using the practice of documentation method. It intend us to capture the current state of the shophouse, in aspects of detail measurements, historical, cultural, significance, and its relationship with the site context. Whilst learning the different type of documentation methods in architectural drawings, research and significance of the shop house.

1

This project requires the students to execute an on-site activity with hands-on measuring exercises guided by their tutors that will enable us to gather information of the importance and significance of the building.

INTRODUCTION

1.1

The objective of the report includes a set of theoretical explanation capturing the architecture of the shophouse, it’s context, significance and reasons to justify why it should be preserved. A full set of drawings of the existing building is also needed including plans, sections, elevations and details of the shophouse. Also, a photo book to document visuals of the shophouse and other aspects.

2

Due to the constant change in the task groupings, the group is structured dynamically for the use of any change in project requirements that calls for a division of manpower and unforeseen demands of variation. The team is divided into sub groups by relating it to the schedule division of Pre-site visit, During site visit and Post site visit. The benefit to the dynamic group structure is to allow each sub groups to focus on a single component, one at a time for efficient progress. Also the other benefit to reshuffling personnels into different sub groups when needed is that it provides an opportunity for students to expose themselves to different task of the report.

PRE SITE VISIT & DURING SITE VISIT: At the start, the team is divided into two subgroups, Measurement team and Report team. It allowed us to focus on our preliminary-research on different aspects, so we can use the period during the site visit efficiently.

INTRODUCTION

Group Structure & Organization

1

1.2

POST SITE VISIT: After the on-site exercise, the measurements team is then divided into 2 teams: Revit team and Modelling team. Whereas report team still remains.

GROUP STRUCTURE

Figure 1.2 Created by: Lindsay Lim

3

Below is a chart showing the division of the task for each subgroup before and during site visits.

1

Below is a chart showing the main division of the group after the collection of information from site.

PRE SITE & DURING SITE SUBGROUP DIVISION INTRODUCTION

POST SITE SCHEDULE SUBGROUP DIVISION

Figure 1.3 Created by: Lindsay Lim

4

1

INTRODUCTION

SCHEDULE TIMELINE

Figure 1.4 Created by: Ng Pui Yan

5

Measuring the shop house was one of the most important aspect in our project, to obtain precise measurements for every corner of the building was needed to be accurate. Due to our inevitable human errors, a general understanding of technique approach was needed for the team to be on the same page and mind. To avoid as much inconsistency in our records, we standardise a set of method and rules for all measuring team to conduct. One of which is to create a template or a rough sketch on a portion of the shop house being measured and communicate with the team to pursue the goal of measuring each and every nook and niche of the shop house. Then, the measurements will be translated to digitalising on Revit. The use of technology and equipments were being employed through the process of measuring the shop house by using tools like, laser measuring tools for high ceiling walls and measuring tapes. The accuracy of the readings must be precise therefore other than the importance of equipments, communication is vital for the measurements team to possess. One simple reading rounding of to the nearest tenth can cause a discrepancies in compiling the recordings digitally.

INTRODUCTION

Methods of Conduct: Measuring Methods

1

1.3

EQUIPMENTS USED: 3 - 5 Metres Measuring tape This was a basic tool for all members to have on-site, which we encourage all member to bring. It is useful for minimal measurements.

Figure 1.5 (Photo source: Charlie, 2016)

Laser distance measurement tool Due to unreachable heights or inaccessible locations, this tool was vital to use when needed.

It helps measure distance and heights of greater magnitude that is our of reach from our ability and it create less hassle in needing other equipments to obtain the information.

Figure 1.6 (Photo source: Johnson, 2018)

6

The 30 metre measuring tape is used to measure the distance of surfaces that are curved or uneven. This tool provides the exibility in measuring the distances of walls that are uneven and cannot be read by the laser tool.

Ladder

Figure 1.7 (Photo source: Khoo, 2018)

1

A ladder is needed to reach out to the details of ceiling corners to the gutters in between. A stable ladder is required for safety precaution and a ladder of great height is needed to extend to the greater height magnitude of the shophouse.

INTRODUCTION

30 Metre Nylon measuring tape

Figure 1.8 (Photo source: Lowe, 2012)

Ruler Ruler is a basic tool needed when it comes to carrying out simple tasks in our everyday activity. This was also used to measure the crook and niche of the shophouse when measuring tape is seen as too bulky for a simple task.

Figure 1.9 (Photo source: Ginifab, 2016)

DSLR Camera and Tripod This was essential to produce for the photo book and video for the assignment. It also helps to record the dierent activity and times during the day to create a time-lapse for better understanding.

Figure 1.10 (Photo source: Khoo, 2018)

7

Plumb bob is a heavy material usually shaped in a diamond providing a thin tip at the bottom, it is suspended from a string or a yarn thread to provide vertical reference line.

Figure 1.11 (Photo source: Khoo, 2018)

Yarn thread

1

A yarn thread is a long continuous length of interlocked fibres. It is used in conjunction with a plumb bob to measure and provide reference line of height..

INTRODUCTION

Plumb bob

Figure 1.12 (Photo source: Tye, 2012)

Markers Different types of coloured markers were used to document and sketch the building details. This is for the ease of identifying different information being recorded.

Chalk Chalk is used for marking the walls or wooden floors where needed, chalk can be easily removed by rubbing it off.

Figure 1.13 (Photo source: Le, 2013)

Figure 1.14 (Photo source: Le. 2013)

Masking tapes We used masking tape to label the measurements that we have taken, so it doesn't stain any furnitures or objects.

Figure 1.15 (Photo source: Le, 2013)

8

There were a few methods being employed to obtain the necessary information of the shophouse, but due to the age of the shophouse initiation of external resources and interviews was needed to explore.

Online & Literature Resources We were able to obtain the basic information like the history of Klang and architectural styles eďŹƒciently whereas the process of ďŹ nding appropriate data pertaining the shophouse was unproductive as there were barely information about our shop house due to its old age. This provoked us to look for external information from Cultural walks and Heritage walk to provide a bit more on the shophouses in Klang. Interviews were also being executed to further expand our knowledge and history of our shophouse

INTRODUCTION

Methods of Conduct: Data Collection

1

1.3

Figure 1.16 Books used for reference. (Photo source: Lissa, 2018)

9

INTRODUCTION

External Resource

1

Before the trip to our site, the insufficiency of the information found on our shop house led us to sourcing our own findings externally. One of which was to initiate an activity before the trip to a Cultural and Heritage walk around Klang. The Cultural and Heritage walk was an eye opener to us as many confusion was being answered. Other than that, it gave us enough information to connect the dots when it comes to the relationship our site and shop house.

Figure 1.17 Photo showing Cultural and Heritage Walk (Photo source: anonymous)

Interviews Interviews were vital to us because it gave us an insight that could not be found from online, literature, nor the heritage walk. It came from the two Wah Sang Brothers owners themselves through their 3 generation experiences they were able to give us theirs thoughts and hardships that result in compiling information such as timelines of events, influences, and etc. Other than the owners of Wah Sang Brothers, we took the opportunity to expand to the surrounding neighbourhood to understand bit more to ensure the consistency of the information. The interviews were highly productive and was one with solely relied on for documentations.

Figure 1.18 and 1.19 An interview process with the owner (Photo source: Syafiq Deen)

10

HUMAN ERROR It is common to find parallax error in measurement procedures when eye level is not perpendicular to the readings of the measuring equipments

CLUTTERED SPACE

INTRODUCTION

Limitations

1

1.4

Due to the inactiveness in the shop house, some spaces were left has storerooms filled with unwanted things. It was cluttered everywhere against the walls and below tables and etc. This gave problems to the measurement team when they need to measure every corners of the walls. It was troublesome enough to move many unwanted thing and to add on, it was hygienic as well.

HYGIENE There were many objects cluttered everywhere that was left untouched for several years resulting in the collection of dust and webs. We needed to make contact with the object since it must be moved and after the first day of visiting the site many students felt sick due to the lack of sanitation.However, we prepared masks and gloves for everyone to use.

LACK OF LITERATURE The shophouse is known for being one of the oldest shops in the streets, therefore resulting in the lack of history books that could be obtained for more information. The history was mostly communicated through verbal communication therefore there wasn't many materials to look for as reference.

11

Introduction to Wah Sang Brothers

Wah Sang Brothers is a 1st generation watch shop located in the old town of Klang, run by Mr. Robert Lee (3rd generation) and Mr. Lee Lai Choy (2nd generation). This old rustic shop has been standing strong since the beginning of 1890 weaving through the hardships of World War 2, but still prevailing in the 21st Century.

1

It’s own existence standing through the test of time and has been undeterred since the beginning.

INTRODUCTION

1.5

“What is the significance of the building and why does it need to be conserved?”

12

Introduction to Research

1

This research is to seek the significance of the building. There is a need in the context of Klang to conserve the history in order to enhance the sense of place. Therefore this research will focus in finding significance relevant to the building to make the case of conservation.

INTRODUCTION

1.6

“What is the significance of the building and why does it need to be conserved?”

13

This chapter has given a full fundamental introduction of the aims and objectives of this assignment, following a thorough look through at the strategies and methods that the group will partake in. From the method of data collection to the way the group has been divided for dierent tasks to ensure a balanced and consistent product.

All in all it provide the insight of problems and challenges that was face during the period of assignment.

INTRODUCTION

Summary

1

1.7

14

CHAPTER 2

Historical Background: ● ● ● ●

2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4

Malaysia Introduction to Selangor Introduction to Klang Summary

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 2

MALAYSIA

SELANGOR

KLANG

16

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2.1

Malaysia

2

Situated strategically in Southeast Asia, Malaysia beneďŹ ts from its geographical location in mediating global trade and becoming the bustling melting pot of various cultures.

It is a multi-racial country, comprising of diverse ethnic groups that live together in peace and harmony despite having dierent customs and religions.

This multiculturalism has made Malaysia a gastronomical paradise and home to a colourful mix of art and architecture.

Figure 2.1 Map locating Malaysia as indicated in red (Map Source: Lissa Lai)

17

Introduction to Selangor

2.2.1

Origin of the Name

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2.2

2

In the earliest time, the name Selangor refers to the Malay word, langau, a large fly or blowfy that may be found in the marshes along the Selangor River. Legend has claims that a warrior who was traveling was outwitted by a fly was that was disturbing him while he was resting by the river bank.

The incident led him to explore the land and he finally settled down, naming the place “satu (se) langau”, which eventually became Selangor.

According to another story, traders had named the estuary as “Kuala Mentangau” since the area was surrounded with a type of of mangrove plant known as “mentangau”. Over time, the name evolved from Kuala Mentangau into Kuala Selangor.

Figure 2.2 The land of Kuala Selangor (Photo Source: Klein, 2011)

Another theory claims that the state’s name is a combination of the word “salang” (stabbing) and “jemur” (dry under the sun). The two words were combined to create the word “selangur”. Kuala Selangor is said to be a place for people in the past to torture traitors by stabbing them and putting them under the sun.

18

Introduction to Selangor

2.2.2

Background

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2.2

2

Selangor is a state on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia and it is bordered by Perak to its north, Negeri Sembilan to the south and Pahang to the east. Its west coast faces the Straits of Malacca. It has three main rivers - the Klang, Selangor and Langat rivers. At the mouth of the Klang River is Port Klang, formerly known as Port Swettenham, which is one of the main ports of Malaysia.

Selangor is Malaysia’s most populous state and has a population of 4.7 million comprising 41% Malays, 37% Chinese, 19% Indians and 3% others. It is also the most industrialised and richest state. It is also the most industrialised and richest state. Its main urban areas are Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam (the state capital), Klang and Subang Jaya.

Figure 2.3 Population of Selangor (Pie Chart Source: Cecilia, 2018)

19

Introduction to Selangor

2.2.3

History of Selangor

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2.2

The area’s natural wealth, along with its relative freedom from the presence of the Dutch, attracted miners, immigrants and colonizers. One especially important group of settlers were the Bugis, a Malay people from Macassar (now Ujung Padang) in Celebes. Bugis emigration from this great port city followed the steady encroachment of whom the Bugis had allied themselves. Renowned for their capabilities as sea traders and warriors who fought wearing chain-mail armour, and used warships in sea battles., the Bugis soon rose to prominence in Selangor. By 1700 they dominated the state both politically and economically and had established the present Sultanate of Selangor.

2

Selangor history dates to the 16th century, when rich tin deposits were around in the region. This lead to increasing numbers of Chinese immigrants to work the mines.

Fighting between the Bugis, the, Chinese immigrants and the indigenous Malays became more frequent. Eventually this led to British intervention, and the imposition of a British Resident in 1874.

Figure 2.4 Klang Bell dated 200 B.C. (Photo source: Wikipedia, 2017)

Figure 2.5 Klang Bell dated 200 B.C (Photo source: Tye, 2012)

20

2.2.3

History of Selangor

Its ďŹ rst capital was Kuala Selangor which was established in 1766 by a Bugis warrior. In 1875, the capital was moved to Jugra in 1880, the British colonial government moved to Kuala Lumpur, Klang became power when Sultan Sulaiman moved in 1901. Another important event that have the needs to marked down is British Resident, Frank Swettenham united Selangor with Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Pahang to form the Federated Malay States, at about the same time that rubber cultivation began in Malaysia. In 1948, the state joined the Federation of Malaysia.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Introduction to Selangor

2

2.2

21

Introduction to Selangor

2.2.3

Sultanate

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2.2

The beginning of the Selangor Sultanate dates back to the end of the 17th century, during the intervention of the Dutch towards the Bugis people in Celebes Islands. This marked the start of the Bugis Diaspora; in search of new settlement.

Selangor joined the edgling federation, known as the Federated Malay States in 1897. The land for the new federal capital at Kuala Lumpur, being donated by the Sultan of Selangor. Economic development was quite rapid with the introduction of rubber cultivation and port facilities.

The Japanese occupied the state in 1941 and deposed the ruling Sultan, in favour of his disinherited elder brother. He was deposed on the return of British troops at War's end, and the rightful Sultan restored.

2

The Royal House of Selangor are descended from the Yang di-Pertua of Riau, Indonesia. They are Bugis, originating from Luwu in the islands of the Celebes. Raja Lumu, second son of Raja Chelak, the 2nd Yang di-Pertuan Muda of Riau, conquered Selangor and established his legitimacy by being installed by the Sultan of Perak in 1766. Frequently at odds with the Dutch and native Malay rulers, his son Ibrahim, was expelled from Selangor in 1786. Ibrahim eventually reached an accommodation with the Dutch and was allowed to return, two years later.

Figure 2.6 Arms of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor (Photo source: Wikipedia, 2018)

Figure 2.7 Celebes Islands (Photo source: Britannica, 2018)

22

Introduction to Selangor

2.2.3

Sultanate

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2.2

Ever since the interference of the Dutch in the Bugis affairs, the two have been foes in all aspects, especially in trading.

This rivalry was evident during the period of Daeng Chelak, the second ‘Underking’ (1728-1745). He has gather many of the Bugis who settled along the coast of Selangor and formed a government at Kuala Selangor in order to control the trading activities carried out, especially between the locals and the Dutch.

2

In 1714, a few hundred Bugis settlers made Klang, Linggi and Kuala Selangor their new home. The appointment of the first Yamtuan Muda (Underking) of Johor, Bugis Daeng Merewah, in 1721, resulted in the rapid migration of Bugis people into the region, especially in Kuala Selangor. The involvement of Bugis in the Johor Sultanate affairs began when the Sultan of Johor made an agreement with them.

The agreement was that the Bugis were given power to govern the Kingdom of Johor through the appointment of a Bugis ‘Underking’ in exchange they protected Johor from the onslaught of the Siak of Sumatera. This tradition was upheld until 1831.

Figure 2.8 Daeng Merewah (Photo source: Budaya Indonesia, 2014)

23

Introduction to Klang

2.3.1

Origin of Name

2

There were many sources regarding the etymology of ‘Klang’. Some say it must have been taken from the river that flows through the town. The river which begins at Kuala Lumpur and ends at Port Klang is called Klang Valley.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2.3

Other sources say it was Ptolemy’s (who lived from around 87-150 AD) Malaion Colon. Other records mention a ‘Calang’ or ‘Calan’. Indian sources mention a ‘Calam’ while Portuguese apothecary and writer Tomes Pires, in his Suma Oriental (written between 1512 and 1515), mentioned a visit to a tin-producing area called ‘Calam’.

His countryman, de Eredia, reported in 1613 that ‘Kelang’ was a source of tin and it produced a hundred bars of the metal annually.

Figure 2.9 Ptolemy (Photo source: Wikipedia, 2018)

Another popular theory that surfaced was derived from the Mon–Khmer word Klong. The word may mean a canal or waterway, alternatively it has also been argued that it means "warehouses", from the Malay word Kilang – in the old days, it was full of warehouses (kilang currently means "factory").

24

2.3.2

Background

Klang is the royal capital of Selangor. Prior to the formation of Kuala Lumpur, Klang was the former administrative capital of Selangor before it was changed to Shah Alam. In 1971, the Klang District Council, which incorporated the nearby townships of Kapar and Meru as well as Port Klang, was formed. After undergoing a further reorganisation according to the Local Government Act of 1976 (Act 171), Klang District Council was upgraded to Klang Municipal Council (KMC) on 1 January 1977. The Klang Municipal Council or Majlis Bandaraya Klang (MPK) exercises jurisdiction for a majority of the Klang District except for the East side. Shah Alam City Council exercises their jurisdiction over the East of Klang District and North of Petaling District.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Introduction to Klang

Figure 2.10 Klang Municipal Council Logo (Photo source: MPKlang, 2018)

2

2.3

In Malaysia, Klang is considered to have the longest history marked here, dating back to before Parameswara first founded Malacca in 1400. Klang’s history goes back to at least 2,000 years and the river that flows through the town, Klang River, has been known to be the export route of tin mined from the interior since ancient times.

Figure 2.11 Demography of Klang 2010 (Pie Chart Source: Lissa Lai)

25

2.3.3

Event timeline of Klang (Photo Source: Syafiq, 2018)

Klang Railway Station 1890 A train station serving the KTM Komuter train service.

End of Klang War

Artifacts discovery

The fall of Malacca

The discovery of prehistoric artifacts such as ‘tulang mawas’ and the bronze bell (which is now in display in the British Museum) in Klang.

Portuguese conquered Malacca and took over Klang’s tin mining industry. Exploiting almost hundreds of bares. Klang was also controlled by Sultan of Johor-Riau.

1409

2nd Century BC

1867

Cheng Ho marked and named in maritime charts

1886

1874

1511

Klang river was marked in the charts by the Chinese Admiral during his visits to Malacca.

Accepted a British Resident who would "advise" the Sultan, and Klang became the capital of British colonial administration for Selangor from 1875 until 1880 when the capital city was moved to Kuala Lumpur.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Introduction to Klang

2

2.3

Klang War

Completion of KLang Valley Railway

Raja Mahadi fought to regain what he considered his birthright as territorial chief against Raja Abdullah.

(Photo Source: Syafiq, 2018)

Galeri Diraja Sultan Abdul Aziz Highlights the heritage of the Selangor Sultanate, originating in 1766 from Bugis Sulawesi royal family.

Klang remained the chief outlet for Selangor's tin, and its position was enhanced by the completion of the Klang Valley railway (to Bukit Kuda).

(Photo Source: Syafiq, 2018)

Gedung Raja Abdullah 1875 Used as a warehouse for Raja Abdullah, the first Malay tin mining pioneer.

26

2.3.3

Event timeline of Klang

Administrations

Merge

3 Administrations

Was formed to administer Klang.

In 1895, the official border of Klang was defined.

The health boards of Klang and Port Swettenham were merged, and in 1945 the local authority was renamed Klang Town Board.

The Port Klang Authority was created and it now administers three Port Klang areas: Northport, Southpoint, and West Port..

1954

1903

1890

1926 Royal seat is moved back The royal seat was moved back to Klang when it became the official seat of Sultan Sulaiman (Sultan Alauddin Sulaiman Shah) from Jugra.

(Photo Source: Syafiq, 2018)

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Introduction to Klang

2

2.3

1963 Effects of local election The Town Board became the Klang Town Council after a local election was set up to select its members in accordance with the Local Government Election Ordinance of 1950.

(Photo Source: Syafiq, 2018)

Kota Raja Fire & Rescue Station

India Muslim Tengku Kelana Mosque

1890 First fire station in Klang South.

1910 Cater for the religious needs of the Indian Muslim community.

27

Introduction to Klang

2.3.4

Sultanate

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2.3

The following states the genealogy of Sultanate: Reign

Sultan Salahuddin Shah (Raja Lumu)

1745–1778

Sultan Ibrahim Shah (Raja Ibrahim)

1778–1826

Sultan Muhammad Shah

1826–1857

Sultan Sir Abdul Samad

1857–1896

Sultan Sir Alaeddin Sulaiman Shah

1896–1937

Sultan Sir Hishamuddin Alam Shah Al-Haj

Sultan Musa Ghiatuddin Riayat Shah

Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Al-Haj

Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj

1937–1942, 1945–1960

During Japanese occupation 1942–1945

1960–2001

2001–present

Table 2.6 Genealogy of Sultan in Selangor (Source: Tye, 2012)

2

Sultans of Selangor

Figure 2.12 Sultan of Selangor (Photo source: Malaysian monarchy, 2018)

Figure 2.13 The watch gifted to Mr. Lee by Sultan Salahuddin (Photo Source: Syafiq, 2018)

The late 8th Sultan of Selangor and 11th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah Al-Haj, was known to be the people’s king. For many of the locals in Klang, he was most famous as the ‘Ah Pek of Pulau Ketam’ and would often dress down and casual when wandering around the areas. Because of his humble appearance and attitude, many of the locals never called him as ‘His Royal Highness’ but instead ‘Ah Pek’ (阿伯) or uncle in Hokkien.

During his reign as Sultan of Selangor, he was very close to Mr. Lee Lai Choy, the 2nd generation owner of Wah Sang Brothers. Mr. Lee and his nephew, Mr. Robert, would often be hired to fix the clocks in many of the palaces in Selangor such as Istana Alam Shah and so on. Their deep friendship, was often the reason why the late Sultan trusted Mr. Lee in taking care of their watches and clocks. As a token of appreciation, Sultan Salahuddin personally gifted Mr. Lee a gold watch.

This watch has now hold a special place in Mr. Lee’s heart.

28

Introduction to Klang

2.3.5

Economy

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2.3

Asides from that, Port Klang holds a major role in Klang’s economy. It is home to about 95 shipping companies and agents, 300 custom brokers, 25 container storage centres, as well as more than 70 freight and transport companies. It handled almost 50% of Malaysia's seaborne container trade in 2013. The Port Klang Free Zone was established in 2004 to transform Port Klang into a regional distribution hub as well as a trade and logistics centre. Its highly diversified economy ranges from agriculture, industry and commerce to tourism.

While industry is rapidly expanding, the mainstays of the state’s economy remain rubber, palm oil, and tin mining. Port Klang, already the largest port in the country, is experiencing the vigorous development. Tourism is also beginning to have a major impact on the economy. Selangor completely surrounds the Federal Territory of Wilayah Persekutuan, and there are many close economic and social ties between them.

2

Klang consists of multitudes of economies within its vicinity.

The major industrial areas include Bukit Raja, Kapar, Meru, Taman Klang Utama, Sungai Buloh, Pulau Indah, Teluk Gong and many others. Prior to the 1970s, rubber used to play a major role in the region’s economy before the rubber plantations switched to palm oil estates. Soon it was transformed for urban development and infrastructure use.

Figure 2.14 Port Klang as major industries area (Photo source: Tye, 2012)

Figure 2.15 P Port Klang as major industries’ area (Photo source: Tye, 2012)

29

2.3.6

Cultural Landmarks

Situated beside the Klang Police Station was renovated to become the tin museum. Gedung Raja Abdullah is a two storey heritage building which was built around 1875. It was used as a warehouse for Raja Abdullah, the first Malay tin mining pioneer, who lived upstairs with his family storing his tin and other good on the ground floor. Conflict broke out between Raja Abdullah and his rival, Raja Mahadi around 1867 and the warehouse had to be fortified during this period.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Introduction to Klang

2

2.3

Figure 2.16 Gedung Raja Abdullah (Photo Source: Syafiq, 2018)

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, a Catholic church built in 1923 to serve the Chinese and Indian Catholic community in Klang. Father Souhait was directed to take charge of the spiritual needs of the Catholic residents in Klang and surrounding districts. Eventually, he succeeded in getting the land where the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes and Sekolah Menengah Convent now stand reserved for worship. They went declared open and blessed by Bishop Perrichon in 1928.

This church is along Jalan Tengku Kelana is fashioned after Notre-dame de Paris, widely considered the finest example of French Gothic architecture.

Figure 2.17 Our Lady of Lourdes Church (Photo Source: Ramber and Wander, 2016 )

30

Introduction to Klang

2.3.6

Cultural Landmarks

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2.3

2

Built in 1909 by British architect Author B. Hubback, it was used by the British as the land and administration office during the world war II as its war headquartered and later by several local authorities until its recent restoration into the current gallery. The Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery highlights the heritage of the Selangor Sultanate, originating in 1766 from the Bugis Sulawesi royal family of Opu Tanreburung Daeng Relaka of the Malay Archipelago. The gallery is housed in the magnificent Bangunan Sultan Suleiman and was established in honour of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, who ruled for over 39 years as the Sultan of Selangor and two years as the King of Malaysia.

Figure 2.18 Galeri Diraja Sultan Abdul Aziz (Photo Source: Syafiq, 2018)

Built in 1890, Klang fire station is the first fire station in Klang South, primarily to safeguard the town from fires. It is located at the junction of Jalan Tengku Diauddin and Jalan Tengku Kelana, overlooking the bridge on the latter road. Today, the building still serves as a fire station. Though it has been renovated throughout the years to accommodate modern use, the main structure and architecture at design features are well maintenance keeping intact the way it looked a hundred years ago. The construction of the fire station was supervised by local police department to the State government and the Federal government in 1978. This building was used as a storage ammunition until the 1960 in which it was then used as a police station. At the same time, it was also designed to amplify sounds of incoming attacks from Japanese occupiers.

Figure 2.19 Kota Raja Fire and Rescue Station (Photo Source: Syafiq, 2018)

31

2.3.6

Cultural Landmarks

The Little India enclave, located along Jalan Tengku Kelana in Klang,which is the biggest Indian-influenced street in Malaysia. Lined with shops on both sides of road, and with spilling onto sidewalks and back alleys. Fierce competition among traders has resulted in lower prices for both locals and tourists, making the place a havens for bargain hunters and lovers of street food. Furthermore, shops and stalls here sell almost everything you can think of - from traditional clothing textiles, jewellery and accessories to garlands made of fresh flowers, home decor items and scrumptious Indian delicious. During Deepavali, the “Festival of Lights”, the electrifying atmosphere as festive and revellers through the streets makes shopping here a unique experience.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Introduction to Klang

2

2.3

Figure 2.20 Street of Little India (Photo Source: Syafiq,2018)

The original India Muslim Tengku Kelana mosque was built around 1910 to cater for the religious needs of the Indian Muslim community who lived in and around Klan. Since demolished and rebuilt a number times, the current building can accommodate 1000 worshippers. There is mausoleum of one of the mosque’s founders within the grounds. India Muslim Tengku Kelana mosque is one of the major mosques in Klang, Selangor. One of the Klang’s Little India , it is bordered by Jalan Tengku Kelana and Jalan Dato Hamzah, also called simply as Masjid India Klang.

Figure 2.21 India Muslim Tengku Kelana mosque (Photo Source: Syafiq, 2018)

32

2.3.6

Cultural Landmarks

The formal Chartered bank situated at the intersection of Jalan Istana and Jalan Dato Hamzah, was established since 1874,it was the first financial institution in Klang. The building is now home to an Indian boutique shop and has been renovated to cater to the commercial demands. The Standard Chartered bank was founded by the Queen of England, Queen Victoria in the year 1953 and is an amalgamation of two banks; the first beings the Standard Bank of British South Africa and the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China in 1969. From 1909 till 1996, the ground floor of the building operated as a bank, whereas the first and seconds 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.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Introduction to Klang

2

2.3

Figure 2.18 Old Chartered Bank Building (Photo source: CNB, 2013)

Sultan Suleiman Royal Mosque is Selangor’s Royal Mosque, located in Klang. It was designed by the British architect, L. Keste Vend and was officiated in 1932 by the Almarhum Sultan Sir Alaeddin Suleiman Shah of Selangor along with the British Federated Malay States High Commissioner Sir Lawrence Nuuns Guilemard.

Figure 2.19 Sultan Suleiman Royal Mosque (Photo source: Wikipedia, 2018)

33

Introduction to Klang

2.3.6

Cultural Landmarks

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2.3

2

Klang Convent School was established in 1924 with only 19 students.

It is located on Jalan Tengku Kelana, right next to Our Lady of Lourdes Church. The main building of the school, which can be easily be spotted from Jalan Tengku Kelana, was built from 1926 to 1928.It was officiated by former acting Secretary to the Resident of Selangor, Sir William Peel on 18 January in the year of 1928.

Figure 2.20 Klang Convent school (Photo source: Wikipedia, 2018)

Alam Shah Palace is the official palace of the Sultan of Selangor, built in 1905 during the rule of Sultan Sir Alaeddin Sulaiman Shah, who was the fifth Sultan of Selangor. The Sultan went on to live in the palace for 35 years until his death in 1939. It was also here that the 7th Sultan, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, was born. Despite the Sultan having two other official residences in Shah Alam and Putrajaya, most royal ceremonies involving the Selangor royal family are held in Alam Shah Palace. The palace has 15 rooms and was built using wood and marble. In early 2000, extensive renovations were carried out by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah.

Figure 2.21 Alam Shah Palace (Photo source: Wikipedia, 2018)

34

In an overview, Selangor is Malaysia’s most developed and progressive state. The values in the past has helped shaped and brought the Selangor we know today rich in history and cultural aspect. Not only that but the influences of past dominance and trends has become a significant style that shaped the buildings we have a glimpse of today, which we will capture in the next chapter: Contextual Elaboration. The next chapter will provide a macro to micro view of the context, from explaining the architectural styles in Klang to the specifics of a shophouse. Whilst taking a journey to the development and influence of the streets in the past that has brought to what it is now.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Summary

2

2.4

35

CHAPTER 3

Contextual Elaboration: ● ● ● ●

3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4

Architecture of Klang The Streets Jalan Stesen Summary

3.1.1

Introduction to Architecture in Klang

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

Klang has been through many revolution in terms of history, economy and cultural and nevertheless architecture also. With many different types of community and settlements living in the town along the years has brought in influence from their cultural background from their homeland and origins. Before these revolution, buildings were very much just attap houses with simple constructions and design.

The Straits Settlement especially, has brought in their own architecture knowledge in styles and methods of construction that completely revolutionize not just Klang but also the entire Malaya.

The Chinese and Indian community which has been brought in by the Strait Settlements have also influenced the architecture aspect with their unique cultural practice and lifestyle. Besides that Klang is the royal town and former capital of the state of Selangor, Malaysia,where some elements and building of the town has relation to the Royalty.

Figure 3.1 The early attap house settlement (Photo Source: Stampnotes,2013)

Figure 3.2 New building styles emerges time to time since Straits Settlements in Malaysia (Photo Source: Wikimedia, 2016)

37

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

3.1 Architecture of Klang

3

There was no replacement of architecture styles despite the emergence of variety of inuence but instead it became a variation that compliments the diversity of community living together as one. Klang’s variety of architecture gives a wide variation of aesthetics that became an identity of its own.

Figure 3.4 The famous Indian Street is a good example of strong cultural influence in Klang.

(Photo Source: Thestar, 2014)

Figure 3.3 Variety of architecture styles in Klang with influence from different cultures.

(Photo Source: Star2, 2015)

Figure 3.5 The Sultan Alam Shah Palace is the main Sultanate influence in Klang (Photo Source: Prettysmplynormal, 2014)

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Having said Klang is blessed with variety of architecture styles, these are the few architecture style that emerged over the years since its revolution in architecture. The buildings under each style are situated near to each other which then leads to the introduction of the Heritage Walk to introduce the buildings and its background to visitors.

1.NEOCLASSICAL STYLE

3

A.Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery B.Sultan Sulaiman Mosque

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

3.1 Architecture of Klang

D 2.ART DECO STYLE B.Sultan Sulaiman Mosque C.Istana Shah Alam

G

3.VICTORIAN STYLE

I

A

D.Klang Fire Station

4.CAPE DUTCH STYLE E.The Old Chartered Bank branch

5.GOTHIC REVIVAL STYLE F.Church of our Lady of Lourdes

F 6.INDO SARACENIC STYLE G.Masjid India Muslim Tengku

7.TUDOR REVIVAL STYLE H.Royal Klang Club

H C

B

8.SOUTH INDIAN STYLE I.Sri Nagara Thendayuthapani Figure 3.6 The map of Heritage Site of Klang City showing the different buildings of different architectural style.

(Map Diagram Source: Wong Che Fon, 2018)

39

(a)

Neoclassical Style

SULTAN ABDUL AZIZ ROYAL GALLERY (Completed in 1909) Neoclassical architecture is characterized by grandeur of scale, simplicity of geometric forms, Greek. The Doric or Roman order detail, dramatic use of columns, and a preference for blank walls is found in the Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery.

Figure 3.7 The simple outlook of building allows it to be utilised for many purposes (Photo Source: Syafiq, 2018)

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

This gallery is a bit cloning the ’ White House’ so the Klang people call these building as ‘The White House’. The style is manifested its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulae as an outgrowth of some classicising features of the Late Baroque architectural tradition. Projections and recessions and their effects of light and shade were more flat; sculptural bas-reliefs were flatter and tended to be enframed in friezes, tablets or panels.

40

(b) Art Deco Style SULTAN SULAIMAN MOSQUE (Constructed in 1932, officially opened in 1934 )

Figure 3.8 A symmetrical yet rich in ornamental building reflecting on its Sultanate influence.

(Photo Source: Xinyi, 2015 )

The mosque's Art Deco concept for minimal decorative elements used here. Use simple geometry in plan mosque also lead to Western Art Deco.

There are eight small towers around the mosque and a large tower in the middle and higher entrance from the main porch. The tower is also decorated with yellow dome at the summit. Architect who designed the mosque is Leofric Kesteven. The mosque can accommodate about 1,000 pilgrims at a time. The present mosque has been through a number of processes and internal modifications in the 'courtyard' building. Original design is like a crossbar when viewed from above, as is so often used in church plans in Europe. But now form the Sultan Suleiman Mosque already looks like a square customisation of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS).

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

SULTAN ALAM SHAH PALACE (Constructed in 1905) The architect, Leofric Kesteven designed the buildings in such a way that the mosque’s architecture has a influence of islamic architecture and combination of western art deco and Neoclassical cathedral style. The original design of the building is such a church plan, whereby the design is like a cross bar when view from above. It because of the mosque could be convert to church if the British colonise Malaysia completely.

Figure 3.9 The golden dome provides a impression of royalty.

(Photo Source: Syafiq Deen,2018)

41

(c) Cape Dutch Style THE CHARTERED BANK (Completed in 1909)

Figure 3.10 The influential European outlook.

(Photo Source: Times of Malaya, 2010)

(d)

The old Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China began financial business in Singapore in 1859 and Penang 1875. As such, the Dutch style building could have been built about the late 1800’s as it housed the Chartered Bank branch in Klang Town. European Style had influenced the architecture of Malaya especially the styles that were modified according to the tropical climate and combined with architecture influence of Malay, Classical Portuguese, Dutch and English. This building certainly has Dutch influences with unique Dutch Gables. The main building could have been used for the banking business, with covered footbridges connected to an annex which could have housed the living quarters of the employees and stables for horses and carriages – as observed from its carriage house type of doorways.

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

Tudor Revival Style ROYAL KLANG CLUB

Figure 3.11 The climatic adapted building provides practical and simple aesthetics.

(Photo Source: Flickr, 2008)

The emphasis was on the simple, rustic, and the less impressive aspects of Tudor architecture. Vernacular architecture style in this building was shown by the construction of the corridor around the building. The roof extended to cover over the corridor, also creating large shades to prevent the main building from taking directed sunlight and heat, maintaining the a lower temperature inside the building which is suitable in malaysia climate. The interior of the club were decorated with the leftovers of British colonial ship.

The beam and ceiling and columns are mainly made by timber, the beams are rectangular in shape and there are repetition of smaller beams all over the ceiling . The decorative had made the Royal Klang Club become a place of interaction between Malay tradition culture and british colonial culture.

42

(e) Gothic Revival Style CHURCH of LADY of LOURDES (Built in 1990)

Figure 3.12 Exterior of Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (Photo Source: Syafiq,2018)

Gothic Revival (also referred to as Victorian Gothic or Neo-Gothic) is an architectural movement that began in the late 1740s in England. Gothic Revival draws features from the original Gothic style, including decorative patterns, finials, scalloping, lancet windows, hood mouldings, and label stops. The revived Gothic style was not limited to architecture.

Architectural elements such as pointed arches, steep-sloping roofs and fancy carvings like lace and lattice work were applied to a wide range of Gothic Revival objects. Some examples of Gothic Revivals influence can be found in heraldic motifs in coats of arms, painted furniture with elaborate painted scenes.

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

Figure 3.13 Interior of Church of Our of Lourdes (Photo Source: Syafiq,2018)

43

(f) Indo-Saracenic Style MASJID INDIA MUSLIM TENGKU KELANA

Figure 3.14 The unique mosque design is a interesting attraction in Klang.

(Photo Source: SyaďŹ q,2018)

A worship centre was built in Klang in 1890. This centre of worship was turned into a mosque in 1910 and governed by an Indian merchant. The original mosque was demolished in 1973 and rebuilt as the present 2 storey building we see today. The four tower are Egyption architecture that found in this mosque. While there is some Neoclassical elements founded in this mosque also that were the arches that can see easily in front the entrance.

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

(g) South Indian Temple Style SRI NAGARA THENDAYUTHAPANI (SREE RAJARAJESWARI) TEMPLE

Figure 3.15 The Gopuram is the main monument of the temple (Photo Source: SyaďŹ q,2018)

This temple layout pursues a geometrical design known as vastu-purusha-mandala, the name of which is derived from the three vital components of the design namely Vastu meaning Vaas or a place of dwelling; Purusha, meaning the Universal principle; and Mandala meaning circle. Vastupurush Mandala is a mystical diagram referred in Sanskrit as a Yantra. The symmetrical and self-repeating model of a Hindu temple demonstrated in the design is derived from the primary convictions, traditions, myths, fundamentality and mathematical standard.

44

(h) Victorian Style

KLANG FIRE STATION (Built in 1890) The beautiful Victorian-style construction was built in the 1890s, primarily to safeguard the town from fires. It is located at the junction of Jalan Tengku Diauddin and Jalan Tengku Kelana, overlooking the bridge on the latter road.

Figure 3.16 The First Victorian building in Malaysia (Photo Source: Syafiq, 2018)

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

Today, the building still serves as a fire station. Though it has been renovated throughout the years to accommodate modern use, the main structure and architectural design features are well maintained, keeping intact the way it looked a hundred years ago.One of the oldest heritage buildings in klang during 19 century. There is one of the column in front has been demolish and renovated to the cuboid instead of cylindrical shape. It also one of the bricks wall constructed building in klang.

45

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

3.1

Architecture of Klang

3.1.2 Introduction to shophouse in Malaysia and Klang

Introduction

3

The term ‘Shophouses’ originates from a mandarin term which means a combination of a residential and a business operating place into one building that functions to serve the local needs where having a place for family to stay and at the same time.

Figure 3.17 The Shophouses.

(Photo Source: Wikipedia, 2014)

Characteristics This mixed-use building and unique urban housing form characterises the historical centres of most colonial towns and cities in the Southeast Asia region where it is: 1.

Highly populated in human density.

2.

Rich in economic activities and infrastructures.

3.

Fast growing in urban development.

4.

Important part of the state and country.

5.

Requiring a commercial area for goods and services.

Figure 3.18 Shophouses serves for economic purposes.

(Photo Source: Pinayflyinghigh 2017)

46

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

3.1

Architecture of Klang

3.1.2 Introduction to shophouse in Malaysia and Klang

It is usually rented out to be operated as barber shop, clan association gathering space, coffee shop, dentistry, clinic, watch shop and many more shops that provides services and daily goods.

In a shophouse there can be multiple space rented out for business operations. Small business space were segregated by building wooden partition walls thus more space can be made for rentals.

However some shophouse owners decides to run their own family business which some still operates till today after passing on from generation to generation.

3

Business Floor

Figure 3.19 The Kopitiam is a common shophouse business (Photo Source: Wikimedia 2014)

Residential Floor Families usually spends time and sleeps together in the same space with mattress laid down on the floor.Although it might be a simple living,but the shophouse provided sufficient accommodation and comfort for families.In shophouses,partition walls are added to separate space to accommodate different families in the same floor.Toilet is also located here for conveniency.

The kitchen is usually located downstairs behind the business space together with the toilet as the faeces and waste is easily disposed in the back alley drain which then connects to all shophouses in the same row.Clothes and any cleaning process is also done here with convenient disposal of waste and dirty water.

Figure 3.20 (Left) The Residential Floor Figure 3.21 (Right) The Back Alley (Photo Source: Wikimedia 2014)

47

Architecture of Klang

3.1.3

History of Shophouse in Malaysia

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

3.1

Settlements and has heavily influenced the local living style and culture. It was originally built for single male immigrant workers from Southern Coastal Provinces in China in the 19th century to have a place to work and sleep. These immigrants are responsible to work in the tin mining land. It soon became a common housing typology in early town as more and more workers were brought into the country.

3

Shophouses were first introduced into Southeast Asia by Strait

Figure 3.22 Tin mining workers originally from China.

(Photo source: Arleneanddennis 2014)

As immigrant women were later also brought in years later and provides the male workers to settle down and built their own family which then leads to the residential floor of the shophouse being utilised for family purposes and settlements. Besides the shophouse also became a commercial development.

Figure 3.23 Early shophouse development for Chinese immigrants.

(Photo source: Roots 2014 )

48

3.1.3

History of Shophouse in Malaysia

The British President, Frank Swettenham was responsible in the earliest urban development of shophouses in Selangor, Malacca, Penang as well as Kuala Lumpur. He introduced building regulations as such that original extract shelter settlements to be rebuilt from bricks with tiled roofs and buildings were to be built five-foot away from the road allowing for passageway after a fire occured in 1881 in Kuala Lumpur where the wooden shophouses were burned down.This marks the introduction and encouragement into using brick building system and material.

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

Figure 3.24 The early urban development.

(Photo source: Thehistoriantunnel 2015)

This was duplicated from the 1822 Town Plan of Singapore initiated

by Sir Stamford Raffles who was a British statesmen and founder of the shophouse prototype. Hence, shophouse were also known as “Shophouse Rafflesia”.He introduced The Raffles Ordinance 1822 that requires every shophouse to have a veranda-way of a least 7 feet measuring from the boundary of the road and the footway within any veranda-way must be at least 5 feet from distance.

Figure 3.25 (Left) Frank Swettenham and Figure 2.26 (Right) Stamford Raffles which both is responsible of urban developments.

(Photo source: Theearlymalaydoctors 2013)

49

Architecture of Klang

3.2.4

Birth of Shophouse in Klang

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

3.1

Trading activities from Penang, Singapore and Melaka were also expanding from the coastal area to the inner land which has encourage development of shophouse in Klang. The shophouses were never been built with timber and attap due the the tragic ďŹ re incident in Kuala Lumpur, any constructed building were restricted only to be built with bricks. Thus, the birth of the shophouses located were along Jalan Stesen 1, Jalan Raya Timur and Jalan Besar. These shophouses contributed to the cultural society and economy of the area as being a mining town and also an important port for tradings, the human density and activity will be very high thus these shophouse serves as a strategic gathering point for their accommodations and needs.

Some shops were even own by merchants from other regions or country.

3

For two centuries, beginning from the 16th, Klang was one of the most important port and mining areas in the peninsula. This causes the migration of labourers from China to the Klang for tin mining. They settled down here and started their own small businesses. An urban and economical area was needed for their needs, thus, shophouse was much suited for the fulďŹ llment.

Figure 3.27 Early urban development in Klang.

(Photo source: Utusan 1992)

Figure 3.28 Early Klang Shophouses.

(Photo source: Myforum 2012)

50

3.1.4

Birth of shophouse in Klang

The Klang shophouses adopted the ‘Five-foot way’ concept which was brought in by a chinese business magnate, Loke Yew who was a famous businessman and philanthropist in British Malaya. As the contractor and the developer of the pre-war shophouse located at Jalan Raya Timur, Klang, Loke Yew adapted the idea of connecting the shophouse with a covered walkway, creating a continuous walkway on the inside and unified facade on the outside. Hence, the pre-war shophouse in Klang characteristically features a 5-foot walkway (kaki lima) or veranda way.

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

Figure 3.29 Public gathering in the 5-foot walkway (Photo source: Blogtoexpress 2017)

These lots, which were constructed between 1890 and 1940, made the area one of the busiest spots in southern Klang then.

Now, there are only 29 shophouses left along Jalan Stesen 1.

These old heritage shop lots painted in colourful colours are conserved as historical buildings and were included as part of the “Heritage Walk”. Subsequent decline of the town’s economy resulted in the existence of only a handful of shops remaining that are now functioning as commercial offices.

Figure 3.30 The Klang Shophouses remains standing strong and continue to serve for the local community.

(Photo source: Syafiq,2018)

51

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

2nd Transition Style

First Transitional Style Early Style

Influx of Chinese labourers into Malaysia and settled in the shophouses which were built for them by Straits Settlement.

Late Style

Wealth from tin mining enabled upgrade of decorative facades and influence from Western on deco styles and materials.

Wealth from tin mining enabled upgrade of decorative facades and influence from Western on deco styles and materials.

Modernism Style Art Deco Style

Rubber profit encouraged elaborated decorative.Material catalogues and shipping encouraged import of glazed tiles and cast iron.

Wealthy business returning from oversea schooling who are exposed to Western and Chinese popular culture(Cinema) also popularized Art-Deco Architecture with Shanghai plaster and relief writing.

Post-war economic flourishes resulted in building development.Influence of Western trained architect who were influenced by early modern movement.New building technology and reinforced concrete enabled corner buildings and curved balconies.

Figure 3.31 The Evolution of Shophouses in different time era.

(Diagram:By Wong Chee Fon)

52

Architecture of Klang

3.1.5

Elements of the Shophouse

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

3.1

3

Shophouse in general has a very unique identity and characteristic that made it a very popular choice of urban development in many states in Malaysia.These elements functions together to play a very important role in the livings of the users which particularly are the olden days chinese workers who permanently resides in it.

Theses elements provide: -

Comfort, practicality and convenience together with the buildings simple space organization.

-

A trademark and popular guideline for a successful building design.

-

A exible usage of space with strong adaptability to dierent time of usage.

-

Provides good ventilation and accessibility in the spaces

Figure 3.32 Axonometric Diagram of Shophouse with its main Elements (Diagram source: Eunice 2017)

53

3.1.5

Elements of the Shophouse Terraced Shop Row Shophouses are urban terraced buildings.They are built next to each other without any gap or space in the between them along a street. They are usually separated by party wall. At the front of the building they are connected by the “five footway” which allows and encourage people to walk along the continuous row of shops.The terraced shophouse layout also promotes sense of togetherness among the neighbours from the same row.

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

Figure 3.33 A row of pathway linked Shophouses (Photo source: Wikipedia, 2017)

Narrow Fronts, Deep Rears

Figure 3.34 The long narrow Shophouse that stretches to the back alley (Photo source:Pinayflyinghigh, 2017)

Shophouses have narrow street front sides,but extend backwards in depths,which can extend all the way to the rear street.Due to taxes, i.e. the idea that buildings were historically taxed according to street frontage rather than total area, thereby shophouse are build narrow and deep for economic reasons.Another reason is the timber beams which carries the roof and floor loads of these structures were supported by masonry party walls. The extent of frontage was therefore affected by the structural span of the timber used.While all shophouses appear, visually have similarly narrow widths, they are not uniform and have minor variations especially when comparing buildings built at different era,by different owners and with different materials or technologies.

54

3.1.5

Elements of the Shophouse Front Shophouse Facade Figure 3.35 Variety of Facades style, design and colour (Photo source: Wong Chee Fon)

The front face of the shophouse faces the street and is a identity for the shophouse for people to recognise or admire its aesthetic resemblance. Facades from different architectural eras will have different architectural aesthetic approach.With rules and regulations set by local authorities,shophouse

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

Facade Colour & Ornamentation

Figure 3.36 Clean plaster facade with chinese ornamentation (Photo source: Wong Chee Fon)

Traditional shophouses has plastered an off-white colour. Other popular early colours were indigo and ochre, given the range of available pigments.

Traditional shophouses facade ornamentation draws inspiration from the Malay, Chinese and European traditions. European neoclassical motifs include egg and dart moldings and ionic or Corinthian capitals on decorative pilasters.These ornaments enhances the aesthetics of the building and at the same time portrays the identity of the culture of the tenants.

55

3.1.5

Elements of the Shophouse Columns

Figure 3.37 Decorated Shanghai plaster column accommodate functions and decoration (Photo source: Lionraw, 2014)

Located at the front facade,they support the upper floors and forms the five-foot way colonnades.It is often also used to place sign boards of the shop facing the front or sideway.

The column designs were also differ in eras but usually follows the classical order with a bit of twist of European or Chinese decoratives and materials. Columns usually reaches from the ground floor to the roof as support.Words or drawings were sometimes carved into the columns as identity and decoration with influence from culture and activity of the location.

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

5-Foot Walkway

Figure 3.38 Continuous walkway that provides not just accessibility but also comfort and other usages.

(Photo source: Wikipedia, 2017)

Five footway is one of the significant elements of a shophouse which is a result from building regulation that requires a minimum width in front of the shophouses.This covered pedestrian walkway provides protection from the rain and sun along the road within the shophouse property line for public use.

It helps to create a continuity and sense of unity to an urban ensemble The human scale of the 5-foot walkway together with the horizon or vertical uniformity creates an urban composition that is unique and readily recognizable thus assisting in creating a dear sense of place.

56

Architecture of Klang

3.1.5

Elements of the Shophouse Pitched Roof

3

The common type of roofs that shophouses have is the pitched roofs with timber structural frame and it is covered with clay roof tiles or other types of rooďŹ ngs which were introduced later on like metal or asbestos sheets

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

3.1

Figure 3.39 Top view of shophouse pitched roof (Photo source:By 36 stewartlane, 2014)

The whole shop house usually has two roofs which front and the back. Jack roof is applied which is a smaller,upper roof overlaps the main larger roof, leaving a void which is the airwell opening in between them, allowing natural draught to enter. This cools the heated roof and reduces the radiation that would otherwise transmit the room below.

The interior ceiling is usually left uncovered revealing its structure and joints but as time goes by, plasterboards are used to cover up as protections from leakage and defects.

Figure 3.40 Few types of roof tiling (Photo source:36 stewartlane, 2014)

57

3.1.5

Elements of the Shophouse Rear Court It is an open courtyard that located at the back the shophouse.

The function of this area is usually used for kitchen,store room and toilet. It is bounded by the rear boundary wall, service block, rear elevation of the shophouse and party wall.

Figure 3.41(Left) Rear court not covered by first floor Figure 3.42(Right) Rear court enclosed by first floor (Photo source: Ghettosingapore, 2015)

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

The back door which is a important alternative to the front entrance access or exit point is located in the rear court.Although traditionally rear court are like a extended space from the back only on the ground floor, some shophouse are renovated to have the first floor extended out together with the rear court and share the same back elevation wall

Figure 3.43 (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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3.1.5

Elements of the Shophouse

Party Wall The party wall that act as a dividing partition between the terraced shophouses. The purpose of the this party wall established as sound and fire protection. It is also an important load bearing structure that transfer the load of the building to the foundation.

Figure 3.44 A partially stretched of party wall (Photo source: Wong Chee Fon)

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Architecture of Klang

3

3.1

It is used to bear the heavy loads and also provide the security and privacy for the tenants of shophouses. The most important feature for the party wall is it acts as barrier to slow down the fire from spreading in case of fire outbreak.

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3.2 STREETS 3

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

3.2.2

Location Plan and Existing Building LOCATION PLAN Wah Sang brothers is located among the shops in Jalan Stesen (marked red) Among Jalan Stesen, there are two other streets that accompanied through centuries in Klang. These three streets has been one of the oldest streets in Klang, following with Jalan stesen being the oldest of all three.

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Streets

3

3.2

Figure 3.45 Location Plan (Diagram source: Lindsay, 2018)

EXISTING BUILDINGS For two centuries, beginning from the 16th, Klang was one of the most important port and mining areas in the peninsula. This have caused the migration of labourers from China to the Klang for tin mining. They settled down here and started to do their own small businesses here. This marked the starting point of the construction of shophouses in Klang. These lots, which were constructed between 1930 and 1940, made the area one of the busiest spots in southern Klang then.

Figure 3.46 Colour coded blocks indicating different building types (Diagram source: Lindsay, 2018)

61

Streets

3.2.2

Jalan Besar, Jalan Stesen, Jalan Sultan Tengku Diauddin JALAN BESAR

3

The railway line from Kuala Lumpur to Klang was one of the first to be built in the country, There has been a railway station at this site on Jalan Besar since 1890, although the current building is much newer. This station is of a traditional design.

The name Jalan besar came into the picture because the street occupied one of the main roads into the streets, therefore adapting the name to “big road”

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

3.2

Figure 3.47 Indication of Jalan Besar (Diagram source: Lindsay, 2018)

JALAN STESEN Klang Railway Station was built in 1890. The road that intersects the station, “Jalan Stesen” was named after it. The construction of the railway station has promoted the economic growth in that area. As a response to that, businessmen choose to build the shophouses near the railway station, facing the main street which is “Jalan Stesen” in order to attract more customers.

Figure 3.48 Indication of Jalan Stesen (Diagram source: Lindsay, 2018)

JALAN SULTAN/JALAN TENGKU DIAUDDIN Before it got its name as Jalan Tengku Diauddin, previously it is known as Jalan Sultan due to its location being located on the same road directly connected to Gedung Raja Abdullah. There were many jewellery and goldsmith shops that influenced the street to be named after a symbolism of the King which was Jalan Sultan.

Figure 3.49 Indication of Jalan Sultan (Diagram source: Lindsay, 2018)

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3.3 JALAN STESEN 3

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Jalan Stesen

3.3.1 Street Morphology

Jalan Stesen : The Evolution in Nine Decades

In 1941, the Japanese invaded and took over the Royal Klang Gallery which was previously used by the British as administration centre. The whole street was occupied by the Japanese community which gave Jalan Stesen the name ‘the Japan Street’.

The street did not undergo any physical changes until 1950 when it transformed from an ordinary street into a famous food street. Known by the community as Wai Sek Gai (cantonese meaning food street), it became a promenade for the Klang community as many F&B businesses flourished there and it attracted a lot of people to visit the street. Plus, there were only a few malls and cinema that the people in Klang could go during the weekends. As more people came to visit Jalan Stesen, people saw the opportunity to start their businesses in and around the street, gradually diversifying the area.

Figure 3.50 The connection of Gedung and Jalan Stesen (Diagram source: Wong Chee Fon, 2018)

Figure 3.51 The Heart of Malay Street (Photo source: MBK, 2014)

3

Jalan Stesen underwent a series of transformation, from ordinary to chaotic, to popular and then quiet. In 1930, there was a civil war between the communities in Klang. The Malay princes, Raja Mahadi and Raja Abdullah, were fighting over the rights to own the warehouse which is now known as Gedung Raja Abdullah, located in front of the police station which gathered a lot of Malays around the premise. At that time, the Klang Bridge was not built yet and Jalan Stesen was connected to the warehouse. Looking at the crowded scene, the community decided to give Jalan Stesen the name ‘Malay Street’.

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

3.3

Figure 3.52 Japanese Community Jalan Stesen (Diagram source: Wong Chee Fon, 2018)

Figure 3.53 Royal Klang Gallery in the past (Photo source: Google, 2013)

Figure 3.54 An almost entire row of food stalls along Jalan Stesen (Photo source: Anetizen, 2015)

Figure 3.55 An important food street for the community (Photo source: Lowyat 2010)

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The glory of Jalan Stesen did not last for over 30 years despite the municipal’s initiative to upgrade the streets. This was due to two factors: the development of Klang City Centre in the northern Klang and inflation. In 1980, the Klang Bridge was built to connect the southern part of Klang to the northern part where the new city centre is located. The new town attracted people to move and settled there, causing the streets to lose attention from the community. Not only that, bridge also altered the circulation around and to the streets, limiting the accessibility to the once multi-accessible area. As a result, dispersion occurred and the business there started to plummet.

Inflation that happened few years later further worsened the business in Jalan Stesen because it led to a trend of migration, especially among the Chinese community, to other countries for better job opportunities. As the population of the street decreased, many shops were closed down and gradually, Jalan Stesen was no longer a promenade that was once crowded by the public. It was left to age on its own.

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Figure 3.56 The Klang Bridge that completely changed the fate of Jalan Stesen (Photo source: The Star News, 2014)

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Seeing the potential of the streets to becoming a famous tourist attraction in Klang, in 1960, the Klang Municipal Council took the initiative to develop the streets. Law enforcement has requested the shop owners to recess their shop houses 10 feet inwards as the council wanted to widen the roads to make way for the development. Despite the birth of new shophouse typology in the adjacent streets which expresses Modern style shophouse architecture, in Jalan Stesen, only a few shop houses were reconstructed,resulting in a unique street morphology that comprises of a mix of high rise and low rise shop lots.The linearity that was established by aligning the five-foot walkway in a row is also broken due to the unequal lengths of the shop houses.

Figure 3.57 The original flexible circulation around jalan Stesen (Diagram by: Wong Chee Fon, 2018)

Figure 3.59 Inflation and migration happened in Jalan Stesen (Diagram by: Wong Chee Fon, 2018)

Figure 3.58 The Klang Bridge restricted flows and made it a one way traffic (Diagram source: Wong Chee Fon,2018)

Figure 3.60 Today, Klang has flourished as an important business and urban area (Photo source: Viralcham, 2017)

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Figure 3.62 Shop lots recessed away from the original shop house’s continuous 5-foot walkway. (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

Figure 3.61 One of a few recessed building where its top floors are rented out as office space. (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

The original shophouses with the continuous 5-foot walkway along the row still remains its look since its construction.

Figure 3.63 One of a few recessed building where its top floors are rented out as office space. (Photo source: Syafiq Deen,2018)

ORIGINAL SHOPHOUSES

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Demolition and reconstruction of some shophouse which led to shophouse with 3 floors and a new modern outlook.

The recessed shophouses removes the 5-foot walkway element and exposes sunlight along its walkway

3

RECESSED AND ELEVATED

The traditional 5-foot walkway provides good shading and circulation flow and other beneficial alternative usages.

Figure 3.64 5- foot walkway of Sykt Wah Sang Brothers.

(Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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The Klang City Council saw the potential and has launched a rejuvenation project to restore Jalan Stesen to its former glory. Murals that responds to the conditions of the walls behind the shop houses were added as the first step of the project. The history and typology of the shophouse has brought new ideas that would attract the attention of the new generation to startup their business here without having to remove the existing community. Thanks to the typology of the old shophouses where the staircases are located near the rear court and that most of the upper floors are left vacant, the shophouses can be utilised for new businesses such as art galleries, new concept cafes and studios in conjunction with the development of the back alley as an art and cultural street, while allowing the businesses in the shop front to be run without disturbance.

There will be a further discussion on the relationship between the shophouses and the streets in the conclusion part in Chapter 8.

The modern shophouse helps adapt the streets to modern typology and benefits from its larger space volume.

The use of variance colours as facade decorations attracts tourist and brighten up the street.

Figure 3.66 The variety of colours and look of the shophouses brightens up the street. (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

Figure 3.65 Peaceful sight and parking spaces in front of each shophouse (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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Today, the street is a quiet lane with few operating shophouses that are run by the older generation. Senior citizens dominate the street and the lifestyle here is laidback and slow-paced. Most of the upper level of the shophouses here are unoccupied; the front street is used as parking lots on both sides, and only accessible in one-way;the back alley is quiet but surprisingly, peaceful and calming. The interplay of light and shadow, together with the bright colors of the buildings,give the alley an opportunity to become an art destination that attracts the new generation to come visit.

The traditional shophouse typology is an important essence of the street that keeps it going from generation to generation.Its building flexibility adapts to changes well.

Parking lots for visitor’s convenience which promotes more visits.

Figure 3.67 Axonometric view of Jalan Stesen (Source: By Wong Chee Fon)

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a nutshell, Klang has a variety of architectural

styles that are influenced by different culture and activities throughout many years, and it is seen through shophouses that has became a gathering point through the urban development. The shophouses responses to the users needs that has evolve hand in hand with the inevitable changes in Jalan Stesen due to economy, politics and community. However, thus the many transformation, the street itself carries a value in relative to the shophouse that it possesses. The street plays an important role in influencing the shophouses which we will understand better in the next chapter: Wah Sang. Where a full understanding of the shophouse will be portrayed through the history of the business, history of the shophouse itself, and the main significance of the shophouse.

CONTEXTUAL ELABORATION

In

Summary

3

3.4

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CHAPTER 4

Wah Sang Brothers: ● ● ●

4.1 The Business 4.2 The Shophouse 4.3 Summary

4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS

4.1

The Business

4.1.1 The History of Wah Sang Brothers

About Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers is a shop that sells watches and clocks. It also provides repair services for antique clocks which most of the shops these days do not offer. Currently the business is managed by Mr. Robert Lee, the third generation, together with his uncle, Mr. Lee Lai Choy who is the second generation of the pioneer of Wah Sang Brothers.

The History: From One Pioneer to Two Successors Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers first started as a clock and watch repair shop and it was known as Syarikat Wah Sang. The pioneer of the business was Lee Lai Choy’s father, Lee Sam Chin who was from Guang Zhou, China. In 1930, Chin settled down in Klang, rented a small portion of the shophouse at Jalan Stesen 1 and started providing watch and clock repair services. Lai Choy and his brother, Yen Choy came to Klang after 7 years, aging 17 years old and 21 years old. Lai Choy was taught how to repair watches by his brother, but he was not involved in the business.

During the Japanese occupation period, Lai Choy and Yen Choy left Klang and escaped. Their father passed away and, to survive the 4 years of cruel governance, they had no choice but to pawn all the watches and clocks from the business to exchange for money.

Figure 4.1 A photo of Mr. Lee Lai Choy with his older brother.

(Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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The Japanese surrendered in 1945. Few years later, Lai Choy and Yen Choy returned to Klang and restarted their father’s business from scratch.

Through their hard work and frugality, in 1947 they finally managed to afford 2 watches from the agency and sold them for profit. This marked the start of the business’s revival.

Since the business was succeeded by the brothers, Wah Sang was then renamed as Wah Sang Brothers in 1950. A year later, the brothers finally made their first achievement when the business grew tremendously, thanks to Jalan Stesen for becoming a famous food street that attracted the community to gather there, and the trend of wearing watches that swept into Klang. The initiative of the Klang Municipal to develop the streets in 1960 further boosted the business in the streets as more new shops were brought in and this turned the streets into a diverse promenade. Wah Sang benefited from the development because more people got to know the shop.

The second achievement was when the brothers started repairing watches for the 3rd sultan of Selangor, Sultan Salahuddin Shah, in 1963. This was the peak of their business as Wah Sang became well-known by the Klang community. The sultan was Lai Choy’s best friend and the majesty would dress like a normal citizen, visit the shop and has his watch fixed every once in a while. As a result, Wah Sang became popular and it was the shop that people would first think of when they want to repair or buy watches and clocks. The majesty even granted them a watch that is made of pure gold, which is valued as much as RM 100,000.

However, the business did not last for over 3 decades. In 1980, when the Klang Bridge was completed to connect the southern part of Klang to the new city centre in the north, the community shifted their attention from the once diverse street to the new development across the river of Klang. Most Klangites moved to the new town for better job opportunities, resulting in dispersion that caused the street to be neglected. The business along the street was affected, including Wah Sang’s.

Figure 4.2 The construction of Klang Bridge not only altered the circulation, but also affected the businesses of the streets.

(Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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The business of Wah Sang is said to plummet in the 1980s due to the diaspora that was caused by the inflation in economy. The trend of migration became popular among the Chinese community and many shop owners sold their shop lots before moving to other countries for better job opportunities. Similar phenomenon happened in Klang and this is the reason that brought about the Little India in Klang today as most of the shops were bought by the Indian community.

The birth of Little India took the place of the chinese community and helped maintained the economy in Klang. While Jalan Stesen was not affected by the Indian community, the shop lots continued to remain vacant, causing the downfall of the business as the street was slowly left unattended. Wah Sang, despite being influenced by such event, also benefited from it - the property value at that time fell and this gave Wah Sang an opportunity to buy over the entire shop lot.

Lai Choy’s nephew, Mr. Robert Lee, came to help for the business in 1981 where he was at the age of 17 too. He was the youngest in his family and because his siblings left for other careers, he had to continue the family’s business. After the purchase of the shop lot under the name of Lai Choy, Yen Choy, Robert and his sister, the business was co-managed by the brothers and Robert.

Everything was fine until a fire tragedy happened. On 24th August 2005, a fire broke out from the neighbouring shop lots there was two shops away from Wah Sang. The fire spread and burned down two shops. Fortunately, Wah Sang did not suffer from much of the fire’s damage. Only part of the building - the roof and a small portion of the rear section - was devoured.

The shop underwent a renovation that took 7 months to complete. With some modifications made to the structure of the building, the business was resumed and it continued smoothly for 12 years. Today, Wah Sang Brothers is managed mainly by Robert, the third generation of the Lee family. Choy is at the age of 87 where he could have retired, but he still comes to the shop to work, as fixing the watches and clocks has always been his passion after 70 years of working in this field.

Figure 4.3 Mr. Robert, the nephew of Lai Choy, fixing watches.

(Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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While Robert does not have the intention to pass on the business to his children, he wishes to open a workshop to teach those who are interested in fixing watch and clock. The shop might be used for that purpose, or to be rented for other tenants if the workshop didn’t manage to happen, according to Robert.

Figure 4.4 Interview process with Mr. Lee Lai Choy. On the left is Mr Robert Lee in yellow shirt.

(Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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4.1

The Business

Figure 4.5 The business’s timeline. (Source: Ryan, 2018)

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The Business

4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS

4.1

Figure 4.5 The business’s timeline (cont’). (Source: Ryan, 2018)

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4.2

The Shop House

4.2.1 Building Poetics

A Time Machine in Klang The shophouse can be described as a time capsule. In contrast with its newly refurbished front facade, the interior is stuffed with antiques - old wooden clocks, classic watches, furniture from the 80s and building finishes that are used 20 years ago. Even though new developments had taken place in Klang, the shop house remains in its own pace with its time zone. Old clocks are still ticking; the 2nd generation of Wah Sang Brothers is still working in the shop, fixing watches just like how he used to be. Wah Sang’s shophouse is like a portal that draws people into its long and narrow form, bringing them back to the past.

The Shop Front: The Portal to the Past As one steps into the shop, one is welcomed by two old-fashion glass display counters on each side with different types of clocks on the walls that decorate the shop front. The clocks, comprising a mixture of old and new, monochrome and colorful, symbolises the shopfront as the gateway to the old era from the current times. Located at the entrance, the gateway is well lit by daylight.

The shopfront is divided in two parts: clocks that are displayed in the front part of the shop front are for sale; the ones at the back are antique clocks that are sent for repair, which most of them are no longer available in the market. The rear part of the shop front is also a place for Lai Choy to rest or to take a quick nap on the rattan armchair.

GF Plan

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS Figure 4.6 The entrance with two classic glass display counters, old-fashion timber framed glass cabinet and clocks welcoming the visitors.

(Photo source: SyaďŹ q, 2018)

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS Figure 4.7 The workstation with dark wooden tables and glass timber framed cabinet. (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS Figure 4.8 Rear part of the shopfront: on the left is where the antique clocks are sent to repair, while on the right is a place for Lai Choy to have a quick nap. (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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4.2

The Shop House

Atrium: The Heart of the Machine Located at the center of the building, the atrium is part of the transition space that opens to the sky, forming an air well that brings daylight into the building while ventilating it. The atrium serves as the heart of the shophouse that ensures the living of the building: light diffuses into the building via the air well and atrium, brightening up the middle chambers that are otherwise dead as they are sandwiched in between party walls without any openings for light and air to enter. Through the air well, biophilic elements such as water, daylight and fresh air are brought into the shophouse, making sure total user comfort. Time machine wise, it is like an indicator that notifies the users or the time travelers about the condition outside while they are on their journey to the past, as it links the exterior to the building’s interior.

A sudden change in the light intensity as one proceeds from the end of the shopfront, to the transition space and to the middle hall that is deep inside, notifies the travelers that they are moving from one space to another, thanks to the intimate scale of the transition space and the subtle light that diffuses from the atrium. Through the interplay of dark to bright and narrow to wide, this creates a contrast that enriches the user experience via the layered spatial quality.

Middle Hall: The Junk Yard As one travels across the eras, junks can be found along the journey.

These junks are a sign of renewal, replacing the old with the new. The middle hall of the shophouse is a storage area that is used to keep old, unwanted and faulty clocks and watches. Laid with tiles that dates back to the neo-classical era which is situated in between the early style and the modern era, the hall reflects a change that is being experienced for progress.

GF Plan

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS Figure 4.9 An atrium that opens to the sky, forming an air well that brings in daylight, fresh air and rainwater into the building.

(Photo source; SyaďŹ q, 2018)

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS Figure 4.10 Transition space as a pantry, lit by daylight that diffuses in via the atrium. Light intensity then decreases as it proceeds to the middle hall.

(Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS Figure 4.11 Middle hall fully stuffed with unwanted goods and unused stock. (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS

4.2

The Shop House

Upper Hall: An Abandoned City The final destination stops at the upper hall which is an empty space that used to contain 3 rooms, 2 airwells and a hallway. Spacious but left unused, the upper hall is home to antique furniture ranging from leather sofa to glass table, all covered in dust. Other objects like old engine parts and industrial racks can be found in the hall too. These items and furniture seem like ‘buildings’ that make up a city, but left unattended, hence the metaphor ‘an abandoned city’. Bright sunlight diffuses into the hall via the air well with warm air flowing through, accentuating the atmosphere of a neglected city as dusts are made obvious. Echoes that are produced as one steps on the timber flooring further enhance the feeling.

Partitioned Rooms: Temporary Stay Undecorated and fragile in structure, these utilitarian units are used as accommodation for short stays. It is made up of 100mm thick partition walls without ceiling. Timber doors in blue color grant access to these spaces, where simple beds and few old furniture can be found here.

Currently, the rooms are not in used - the beds are covered with nylon sheets to prevent dusts from compiling on them.

1F Plan

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS Figure 4.12 The upper hall occupied with discontinued stuffs. Different objects are scattered around; subtle daylight that diffuses into the space via the air well highlights the dusts that cover the objects and furniture, enhancing the atmosphere of a forgotten place. (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS Figure 4.13 Partitioned room containing an unused bed, an old standing clock and a fan. (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS

4.2

The Shop House

4.2.2 Building Programmes

Different Souls in the Same Body When the building was constructed in 1890, it consisted of two air wells, a shop front, middle hall and rear court with a toilet and bathroom on the lower floor, as well as seven bedrooms on the upper floor. It was first occupied by a family of Japanese origin as a residential building.

Wah Sang came to Klang in 1930, settled down and rented part of the shopfront to start their business. At that time, there was a noodle factory operating in the middle hall of the shop house. The middle hall was an ideal space for food manufacturing as it was long enough to store machines and equipment. Also, it allows the unappealing machineries to be hidden from the public’s sight. Wah Sang, starting as a watch dealer, needed little space for their business, hence they only used half of the shopfront. The vacant rooms above the shop were once used by the opium addicts as their nests, but it only lasted for a short period.

Soon the other half of the shopfront was occupied by other tenants. In 1942, a petition writer moved into the shop and rented a quarter of the space.

Following was a dentistry which is opened in 1960, taking the remaining quarter of the shopfront. Alongside with the development of the street which brought the crowd in, the shop house became a busy commercial lot.

However, the dispersion of community and downfall of business in the 1980s has resulted a drop in property value. Hence this gave Wah Sang an opportunity to buy over the entire shop house in 1987, and rented it to the other existing tenants.

Figure 4.14 2nd picture, from left column: The shopfront of Wah Sang containing petition writer shop and dentistry.

(Photo source: Uncle Robert, captured by Syafiq, 2018)

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS

Some changes were made to the rear court: the double-volume was sealed to create two single-volume rear rooms in which the upper one was used to contain new toilet and bathroom. Around this period, the dentist passed away, so the remaining sub-tenants were the noodle factory and the petition writer.

Laws and regulations regarding to the property ownership got complicated in the 1990s, causing the sub-tenants to discontinue their rental. The noodle factory moved out of the shop and opened its own factory in Klang. Following that was the petition writer who left the shop in 1996. As all the sub-tenants left, Wah Sang finally occupied the entire shopfront. A room and an altar were added in the middle hall as Robert and his family moved in to the shop a year later.

The most changes seen was after the fire, in 2006, the family did a renovation to the shop house that altered layout of the building. One of the air well was concealed to make space for storage, and rooms in building front were repositioned from right to left with enlarged space because the number of rooms were reduced from four to three. The three other small rooms beside the atrium were also demolished. The space in between the partitioned rooms and the atrium was intended to be used as a study hall, but in the end it did not happen.

Today, the shopfront continues to function as a business area for fixing and selling watches, but the rooms above are left vacant. Middle hall that was once used as dining hall is now being utilised as a big storage area together with the added room. The building will continue to accommodate Wah Sang until their business comes to an end.

Figure 4.15 Front facade of Wah Sang Brother’s shophouse as seen today. (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS

The Shop House

4.2.3 Changes in the Building Layout

The Flexibility & Rigidity of the Shophouse It is the rigidity of the building itself that leads to the flexible use of the spaces by the users. Given a space that is limited for certain uses, the tenants have no choice but to think of ways to maximise the use of spaces. The categorization of spaces is rigid – on the ground floor plan it is divided into 4 chambers – shopfront, courtyard, middle hall and rear court. Each chamber is formed by horizontal dividing walls, but these chambers are large enough that they form an open plan by themselves, allowing flexibility in an otherwise rigid spatial planning.

The shop house was originally built: -

4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS

4.2

To run two types of programs: business and residence These two differs greatly in nature: business is public while residence is private To fulfil the needs of this two extreme activities, two main spaces were designed – shop front / residential front & middle hall It is also built in two storeys to house bedrooms on the upper floor.

If the residential front is used for business purposes (shop front), then the middle hall will replace its role and serve as a living room, together with the dining area which is the middle hall’s original purpose. The courtyard is a transition space that separates these two areas, at the same time ensuring user comfort by promoting air ventilation in and allowing natural daylight to diffuse into the middle hall which is deep inside the building. The separation of spaces via dividing walls and void helps maintain the privacy needed for residential purpose, which indirectly, it also allows two different types of activities to be carried out on the same floor.

While the shopfront is also designated to serve as the living hall for the building, it is spacious enough to house several businesses at once if the scope of the business is small. In the past, sharing a space with other people was not an issue, as people were close to one another that they know each other well. The simplicity in life also contributed to the stability and harmony of the society, hence there was no need to fence up an own space to guard for a business. Therefore, the shopfront was normally seen as a common space that was used by different tenants who run different businesses.

Sharing the same building with different users benefits them in several ways, one of them being able to share the total rental fees. In the following diagrams, we will discuss on how the shop house that accommodates Wah Sang Brothers is used by other tenants at the same time, and how different ownerships altered the layout of the building. Through different users, we can also notice how flexible the building is to cater for different needs and dissimilar programs.

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The Shop House

4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS

4.2

In the previous subtopics, we had discussed about the history of the business, the building poetics, programmes, ownerships of the building and the evolution of the building’s layout, which all of them are happenings within the building.

These events are the intangible aspects that are held by a container---the shophouse. The container of these events is also an important subject to be studied as it is the tangible aspect that allowed the events to take place. Hence, in the following subject, we will be looking into the architecture of the building---how does the design of the shophouse meet the requirements and functions for the tenants, as well as how it response to the context and local climate.

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The Shop House

4.2.4 Architecture Analysis

The Anatomy of Early Style Shophouse The

following discussion breaks down the shophouse of Wah Sang into 3 categories: form, space and structure. These

elements are inevitably essential as they are the components that make up the building as a whole, and they work in tandem with one another to ensure complete functionality of the shophouse.

MASSING

ORGANISATION OF FORM

The shophouse is originally a composition of 3 cuboids in different sizes, arranged in adjacent to one another to achieve an elongated form. As pitch roofs top over them, these cuboids extend upwards, forming trapezium blocks as a result.

A trapezium that is smaller in size is inserted in between two other larger trapezium blocks to form a complete ‘body’ that consists of frontal, intermediate and rear parts. The front and back portions are larger in size to house main building programs.

4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS

4.2

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS SOLID / VOID

CLIMATIC ADAPTATION

Subtraction of volumes from the blocks results in a void and a buffer zone that plays important roles for the shophouse. The void in the form of an atrium helps ventilate and illuminate the building, while the buffer zone functions as a pedestrian walkway that separates the building from the street.

As an overall result from the massing to the interplay of solid and void, a form that is responsive to the tropical climate is achieved. Recessed shop front creates a verandah that shades it from the sun; air well allows hot air to escape and rainwater to enter. As a result, thermal comfort is achieved.

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS SPATIAL ORGANISATION

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE SPACES

The main spaces of the shophouse is separated by in-between spaces such as the five footway, transition space and rear court. These intermediate spaces allow smooth transition across areas of different nature and functions. At the same time, they serve as a place for utility such as toilet, bathroom, atrium and storage.

The spaces in the shophouse are separated into public and private use. On the ground floor, the shopfront is fully accessible by the public. The middle hall and rear court are semi-public, as toilets are located at the rear part. Bedrooms which are private are located on the upper floor.

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS CIRCULATION

VENTILATION

The long and rectangular form of the building forms a main circulation axis that runs linearly across the shophouse. But since the building has an open layout, spaces are distributed alongside the axis, resulting in branches from the main circulation.

The windows on the front and back facades and the open floor plans of the building facilitate cross ventilation across the spaces, while the air well helps flush out the warm air via stack ventilation.

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4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS NATURAL LIGHTING Openings on the front and rear facades and the atrium allow admission of sunlight into the building.

The atrium is strategically distanced from the front and back part of the building to achieve an interplay of bright and dark across the spaces.

STRUCTURE The shophouse is supported by columns and party walls that are made of bricks on both sides, except for the rear part where R.C. beams are used to support the concrete oor slab on 1F. Horizontal walls divide the shophouse into chambers.

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Summary

It is surprising to see a mediocre shophouse to portray a dualism profile which pertains flexibility within rigidity. Perhaps this is the significance of an Early Style shophouse where it allows the various uses of the shop for different purposes. The utilitarian characteristic, despite undecorated and aesthetically unappealing, gave the shophouse a function-based form that is intended to serve its sole purpose of a shop and a house. A shop is commercial while a house is residential, these two are totally different in nature, yet they can be run together in the same building. From here we can see the beauty of utilitarian architecture in maximising the functionality, practicality and flexibility of a building. This is also the reason why Wah Sang Brothers remains in the shop for about 90 years---the convenience offered by the shophouse allows a smooth operation of this family-based business. Changes can be made easily according to the users’ needs, for example, adding rooms and creating new volumes.

4 • WAH SANG BROTHERS

4.4

In the following chapter, we will discuss about flexibility and rigidity in technical aspects---the construction methods and materials adopted by the shophouse. This significance is not only shown in the spatial planning, but also in the choice of materials used, as well as the structure of the building.

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CHAPTER 5

Methods of Construction: ● ● ● ●

5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4

Rigidity Intertwine Temporal Summary

RIGIDITY

5.2

INTERTWINE

5.3

TEMPORAL

5 • METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

5.1

This chapter conceptualises the category of methods of construction, materials and details into three identifiable significance of the shophouse. From the elements that are structurally grounded and provides a place for space which is categorised as RIGIDITY to the elements that are momentary to the shophouse. Either movable or changeable, it doesn't conform to any permanent association with the shophouse, this we call TEMPORAL. Lastly, INTERTWINE are for elements that have both rigidity and temporal characteristics.

106

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION 5

RIGIDITY

This subtopic describes the permanently grounded architectural matter that builds the shophouses, without these “matter” the shophouse does not stand or creates a space for users.

107

Rigidity

5.1.1

Flooring System

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

5.1

CONCRETE

5

Raw concrete flooring can be seen at the front entrance of Wah Sang Brother’s shop house, this whole stretch is a five feet walkway for public use. A thin layer of concrete is used among the ground floor of the shop house covered in either paint or tiles. Other than flooring, concrete is not seen as a primary material as it commonly would be seen in modern buildings. The reason being is that concrete was an expensive material to utilise back in the days and commoners would usually use brick and wood.

Therefore, Wah Sang brother’s is known to be a Utilitarian design due to its practicality in the use of materials.

Though, concrete is a material known with good properties it can come down to many disadvantages like breaking and cracking if poorly maintained.

Therefore it is not necessary for Wah Sang to use concrete as a primary material for the shophouse.

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

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5.1.1

Flooring System

WOODEN FLOOR In the past, wood is a common material that is being used for many parts of a building in Malaysia due to it’s easy accessibility and cost efficient. Which was applicable to Wah Sang’s Utilitarian style, 80% of Wah Sang’s first level flooring is built with wooden plywood and supporting the flooring is the beams made of chengal wood. It was mainly used because it provided easy maintenance and strength that has lasted for over 100 years.

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Rigidity

5

5.1

Another part of the shop house that is made with wood is the foundation that lies beneath the flooring. The foundation is made up of a traditional method of wooden foundation using chengal wood.

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

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Rigidity

5.1.2

Reinforced Concrete

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

5.1

BEAM

5

Reinforced concrete beam is designed primarily to withstand the tension strength exerted by the weight of the floor slab sitting on it. At the same time, it has to support the working load on the floor.

A beam made purely from concrete wouldn’t withstand the tension and the working load resulting in cracks that would occur at the tension edge. To avoid this, reinforced bars are added to the beam so it would be stronger and hence prevent the beam from cracking.

The shophouse caught fire in 2005 resulting in damaged floors that was built using wooden beams. After the incident, it was changed to conventional reinforced concrete beam which can be seen from the ground floor ceiling.

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

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5.1.3

Wall LOAD BEARING WALL Wall is a continuous vertical brick or stone structure that encloses or divides an area of land. It is especially used for privacy and protection purposes.

The type of wall that is used by Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers is load bearing wall. This type of wall is normally used to sustain the foundation of the shop houses, resting upon by transferring the weight through the wall. The key idea with this construction is that every wall acts as a load carrying element. The immense weight of the walls helps to hold the building together and stabilise it against external forces such as wind and earthquake.

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Rigidity

5

5.1

The materials used in Wah Sang are mostly brick. In the older parts in Klang, which year varies from the 1700s to the mid-1900s, shop houses are commonly build with no pillar. The method used in load bearing wall system is by raising the house, wall over wall and floor over floor. This method is the most common and reliable method used in building construction due to its capable to provide privacy, affords security, and gives protection against heat, cold, sun or rain.

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Rigidity

5.1.4

Column

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

5.1

COLUMN

5

The columns in Wah Sang is extended all the way to the roof and can be seen about every 3 to 4 metres away.

These columns were built with bricks covered with cement, it is designed primarily to transmit the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below through compression. In other words, a column can be known as a compression member.

The method of using bricks was used instead of reinforced concrete column is because brick was a common material found in pre-war and was low in cost.

As the fundamental understanding of constructing a column with bricks is much easier and more stable, therefore this method was used in Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers.

The columns in Wah Sang Brothers are slightly disoriented due to human error in constructing the columns.

Photo source: SyaďŹ q, 2018

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INTERTWINE

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION 5

Intertwine conveys the idea of a subject that portrays momentary and permanent characteristics. Though it’s permanent identity does not conform from the structural component, it solely depends on the conceptual understanding of its purpose to the shop. This subtopic is present because of the understanding that the shophouse does not rely on dualism therefore it is necessary to provide a platform that composes two identity.

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5.2.1

Counter

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Intertwine

5

5.1

COUNTER The counter is the first thing to be seen at the entrance of the shophouse, it is essential to display the watches for business. Looking closely, the counter is grounded to the floors of Wah Sang brothers making it a rigid component to the shophouse but if needed to be moved it will not eradicate the space which does not comply to any permanent association to the structural appearance of space and the shophouse.

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

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5.2.2

Wooden Desk WOODEN DESK There are three wooden desk behind the front counter, these 3 desks were were used over 100 years by the generations of the owners. Each wooden desk were made solely for each generation’s body and size to fit the comfortability when repairing watches. The wooden desk were made by shaping timber to desk’s parts and nailing them together. Within a glimpse, they seemed like replicated desk but in actual case they are never the same. These desks space are so valuable that it became antiques pieces as time pass by even when it is not in use and it crowds the space, it is still left there for remembrance.

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Intertwine

5

5.2

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

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Intertwine

5.2.3

Clocks

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

5.2

CLOCKS

5

There are various types of clocks in the shophouse, either for sale or for repair but are never moved. The clock symbolises the identity of the shophouse, movable and detachable but always permanent in the sight of the shophouse. It creates a present of life in the shophouse as it’s a clock shop. The clocks can be embraced as visitors enter or passes by the shopfront.

Photo source: SyaďŹ q, 2018

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5.2.4

Altar

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Intertwine

ALTAR

5

5.2

The altar is located at the middle portion of the shophouse. In Chinese taboo, the altars location are taken into consideration in placement and angles based on the tenant’s superstitions of well being and the orientation of the place, this is call geomancy. The altar is placed under this subtopic to portray it’s rigidity because of the tenant’s culture in fengshui even though the object is temporal, though if moved it doesn't not affect any any structural matter of the shophouse.

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

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Intertwine

5.2.5

Air Well

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

5.2

5

AIR WELL There used to be two air wells opposite each other in the middle portion of the shophouse, but the right portion was closed in 2006 to maximise the use of space on ground floor and first floor. The area that the demolished airway used to possess is now used as kitchen. The air well used to intersect till the first floor to the roof, the demolishment of the air well also maximize the space on the first floor and which was developed into a living room. Other than maximising spaces, it reduces the maintenance needed as air well allows unwanted excrement from the external environment.

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

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5

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

TEMPORAL

This subtopic is a contrast between Rigidity because the subject chosen under this topic is either movable or changeable and does not conform to any permanent association to the shophouse.

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Temporal

5.3.1

Ceiling

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

5.3

PLASTERBOARD CEILING

5

Plasterboard, also known as gypsum board is one of the most widely-used products in ceiling construction. It is a versatile and flexible material, and it is also known to be very durable. Gypsum board is used across the ceilings of both Wah Sang’s ground and first floor and it's easy maintenance and installation was highly economical towards Wah Sang’s shop house. Not only does it benefitted Wah Sang economically but it is also a non-combustible material that can withstand a fire’s spread up to four hours. Which was an advantage for the shop house when it encountered a fire incident in 2005, the gypsum board helped lighten the damage on the roof. The plasterboard is installed as a covering for the roof’s joist and rafters, therefore it is placed exactly to the shape of the roof.

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

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5.3.2

Walls PARTITION WALLS The partition walls are seen on the right side of the first floor and are used for dividing spaces for three bedrooms.

The partition walls used to be on the left side of the first floor but due to the uneasy mobility, the owner shifted the partition walls over to the right. It is made by plasterboard consisting of timber frames with metal skirting. The timber frame is first constructed in panels and attached together with nails before adding a layer of plasterboard, therefore the interior is hollow. Then it is painted in white as a layer of protection and to enhance the appearance.

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Temporal

5

5.3

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

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Temporal

5.3.3

Roofing

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

5.3

CORRUGATED ROOF

5

The metal corrugated roof of Wah Sang Brother’s shop house is made up of asbestos material. It is used mainly because it is cost efficient, however it’s varieties in properties also provide a good reason of why asbestos was chosen.

Asbestos roofing were used in Wah Sang due to its sustainability to the climatic conditions in Malaysia.

It’s corrugated wave features gutter like design allows rain water to flow, this process also allows a cooling effect for the interiors of the shop house which is an advantage to Malaysia’s humidity.

It is resistance to rotting which contributes to durability and ease of maintenance.

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

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5.3.4

Flooring

CERAMIC TILES Ceramic tiles are used in the middle and rear portion of Wah Sang brother’s shophouse. It is made out of natural clay, water and sand that are moulded into squares and baked in a kiln to remove moisture from the materials. The ceramic tiles that are used in Wah Sang brothers are square designs in pale yellow, the tiles were implemented since the beginning of time when the shop house was built. It catered for kitchen use, as ceramic tiles are resistant to friction and its easy to care for maintenance purposes. It also catered for the Mee factory that occupied the rear portion of the shophouse back in *1930*. Another reason why ceramic tiles are used is because it is naturally resistant to humidity and it is necessary to protect the floor from dirt and rain that comes from the air well next to the kitchen area.

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Temporal

5

5.3

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

123

Temporal

5.3.5

Wall

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

5.3

CLAY BRICKS

Due to a huge fire incident that happened in 2005, some wooden structure were substituted with clay bricks. This is because clay bricks is the most suitable construction material to use in damp conditions. It is known for its strength and durability. Moreover, clay bricks was chosen due to the damp location which is around 8 kilometres away from Port Klang.

5

Clay bricks are often considered as the most traditional and the oldest materials for exterior cladding. It is capable of withstanding fluxes in the temperature and is also resistant to damage from moisture. Furthermore, clay bricks have its own flexibility in application and load maintenance. Therefore, maintenance cost is relatively low.

Photo source: rmcherrycreek.com

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5.3.6

Wall

PAINT Paint is a coloured substance which spread over a surface and dries to leave a thin decorative or protective coating. Painting Syarikat Wah Sang was changed due to the ďŹ re incident. Before that it was painted in white and blossom red column for the exterior. It is now coated in yellow to increase the visual appeal of building surface. Painting also helps protect against weathering impact , making the surface waterproof, and increase the surface durability. As for the interior, the painting remains white to give it a cleaner look for the shop and also acts as a protection from decaying its plasterwork.

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Temporal

5

5.3

Photo source: SyaďŹ q, 2018

125

Temporal

5.3.6

Doors

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

5.3

5

There are a few door designs that have been used in Wah Sang shop house. There are 12 door in total with 6 different design and variation of windows to provide enough of ventilation and sunlight into the building. Timber have been used as the main materials of most of the doors and windows in this shophouse.

DOOR FRAME Most of the doors in this shophouse have wooden door frame. Before the fire in 2005, most of the element in the shop house was built using timber. Timbers are not fire resistant, waterproof and can be easily destroyed by termites and insects but due to the convenience of getting the material, Wah Sang used timber as their door framing.

They have also used aluminium as a material for the door frames that can be seen in the 3 bedroom on the second floor.

Photo source: Syafiq Deen

126

5.3.7

Doors

WOODEN AND GRILL DOORS Wooden doors are common to find in shop houses but another conventional type of door that Wah Sang has accustomed to is the metal grill sliding door. There are three sliding grill doors that can be seen in Wah Sang, one would be the main door, the other would be a door accessing to the inner portion of the shophouse and the 1st floor. Before grill doors were implemented, wooden folding doors were their original entrance door. This was before Wah Sang re-levelled their floor height to a foot higher due to heavy occurrence of flood. Then only, the doors were changed to the current metal grill doors for security purposes and for less maintenance work if water sips through.

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Temporal

5

5.3

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

127

Temporal

5.3.8

Windows

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

5.3

JALOUSIE WINDOW

5

Wah Sang Brothers used to have wooden double hung windows but due to poor maintenance they decided to use jalousie windows with ground glass instead. Ground glass is non-transparent while retaining its translucency that allows sunlight to penetrate in but yet provides privacy. This provides sufficient amount of light to create a subtle ambience in the shophouse. The louvered windows can be found in many parts of the shop house, this is to provide ventilation and used as a cooling system. This helps minimise fan installation in the shop house, which causes less installation cost and is energy efficient.

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

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5.3.9

Details WIRE MESH VENTILATION This type of ventilation can be found in the storage room located in the middle portion of the shophouse. It is constructed with wooden framing panels before layering a layer of wire mesh on to the panels, this technique is a simple and old fashion way that can be seen in buildings dated in 1930s. It is used in Wah Sang because of its low cost material and construction, it is also low maintenance.

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Temporal

5

5.3

Photo source: SyaďŹ q, 2018

129

Temporal

5.3.10

Details

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

5.3

STAIRCASE

5

Wah Sang has only one staircase located at the rear portion of the shop house. The staircase is entirely made up of timber except the first two steps from the bottom which is not concrete. This is due to the flood that caused the timber to deteriorate and maintain.

Instead of revamping the entire staircase, the owner decided to only modify the first two steps. Due to steepness of the staircase that requires a light-weight material .

Photo source: Syafiq, 2018

130

5.3.11

Details

AIR VENT GRILLS

Photo source: Syafiq Deen

The air vent grills are located above the shop entrance and is permanently attached to both ends of the wall. It is made of iron which is more cost efficient than other materials and it can be moulded into different kinds of patterns and shapes which provides flexibility to the design that suits the shop house. The grills are painted in blue, the paint acts as a protection layers from preventing the grills from getting rusty. The use of air vent grills are for ventilation purposes so that air can act as a cooling system for the shop house. Before this, a wooden frame with wire mesh was used as an air vent instead but due to the lack of aesthetic it was replaced by iron grills.

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Temporal

5

5.3

131

Temporal

5.3.12

Details

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

5.3

The ventilation block is used for ventilation and at the same time does not allow rain to enter the building. It can be been at the back of the shop house and its attached with the bricks in the wall plastered with cement. The block is designed with small holes in the wall so that air can pass through the building even when the door is closed. It not only provides privacy but has an interesting play of light and shadow which creates an ambience in the shophouse. The ventilation block is made of sand and lime mixed together and then moulded in to the shape of a ventilation block.

5

VENTILATION BLOCK

Photo source: SyaďŹ q Deen

132

Even the details of the shophouse to the mass structural element can be a part of the division of 3 topic in permanence, intertwine and temporal. It conceptualise the essence of the shophouse in the form of tangible aspects that can be seen around the shophouse, creates and idea that things can be seen different in different perspective. Though the shophouse is alive with it’s own activity, the next chapter explains the other side of the shophouse that can’t be seen externally.

METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Summary

5

5.4

133

CHAPTER 6

Current Condition: ● ● ● ●

6.1 Operation & Functionality of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers 6.2 Defects & Dilapidation 6.3 Improvements & Suggestion on Design 6.4 Summary

From the beginning of its construction in the 1800s until now, the current building in which Wah Sang Brothers has inhibited for 80 over years has stand through the test of time. It’s unconventional planning due lax regulations then has now become a significant aspect of its presence today. The utilitarian design approach further emphasizes on the simplicity of its usage. Initially like its namesake, it had only two functions. The ground floor was where the business would run whereas the first floor would be a residential area.

Years passed as the business has gone through generations of changes but what remains will always be a simple watch shop. From it’s simple allocated space in the front of the shop, it has extended and overtook the whole building as its own.

CURRENT CONDITION

Operation and Functionality of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers

6

6.1

Figure 6.1 Front Elevation of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

Figure 6.2 Interior perspective of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers (Photo Source: Syafiq, 2018)

135

Operation and Functionality of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers

6.1.1

Spaces

CURRENT CONDITION

6.1

There is also a notable change which would be the addition of partition walls to define working areas. The partitioning is either partial or full, depending on the level of privacy needed by a specific spaces. The refurbishment benefited greatly from the open floor plan of the building, which was originally designed to maximize the building space. With the open floor plan, tables, working areas and partitions can be arranged freely without the constraints that come with having fixed interior walls.

6

After the incident of fire broke out from the neighbouring shop lots there was two shops away from Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers, which happened in 24th August 2005, the fire spread and burned down two shops. Fortunately, Wah Sang did not suffer from much of the fire’s damage. Only part of the building - the roof and a small portion of the rear section - was devoured.

Figure 6.3 Working area of the Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

Figure 6.4 Counter area of the shophouse (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

136

6.1.2

Appearance

CURRENT CONDITION

Operation and Functionality of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers

6

6.1

The shophouse is built snugly along the row of shops. With its simple facade along the typology of the street. Cement and bricks were the main materials used to build the shophouses. Initially painted in white and blossom red to highlight the columns, it has now been painted to a bright yellow. It has not been repainted since the ďŹ re incident in 2005

Figure 6.5 Outer view of Wah Sang Brothers watch shop (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

137

Defects and Dilapidation

6.2.1

Cracks

CURRENT CONDITION

6.2

6

The occurrence of cracks are inevitable when the materials used are not maintained properly or have undergone a substantial amount of stress. The cracks found in Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers differ for each material. Starting off with the cracks found in the external part of the building.

The main cause for the cracks upon the building would be the moisture movement. These movements are cyclic in nature and are caused by increase or decrease in inter pore pressure with moisture changes.

Initial shrinkage occurs in all building materials that are cement/lime based such as concrete, mortar, masonry and plasters. Generally heavy aggregate concrete shows less shrinkage than light weight aggregate concrete.

The location of where Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers was built has been known to be prone to floods and excessive humidity. Because of this, the molecules tend to absorb moisture and dry at different rates, thus causing the cracks. It is evident on

Figure 6.6 Cracks shown on the wall (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

138

Defects and Dilapidation

6.2.2

Rust

CURRENT CONDITION

6.2

6

Due to the exposure to humidity, majority of the metal components found in the building have been tainted with rust. This does not just affect the overall aesthetic but also the efficiency of the component. The rust causes the component to not work as well as it used.

Figure 6.7 Rust on the metal grille sliding door (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018))

6.2.3

Water stains

Due to old pipes being used in the building, most of them have been left untouched for years and not maintained properly. The leakages from the pipes has formed water stains of the ceilings of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers.

Figure 6.8 Water stains on the ceiling (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

139

Defects and Dilapidation

6.2.4

Broken pieces

CURRENT CONDITION

6.2

6

For materials made of wood, they are most prone to termite infestation if not properly taken care of. As seen in figure 6.6, wooden skirting on the first floor has broken off in chunks. Underneath it are indications of termites present within the premises of the building.

Figure 6.9 Broken pieces of wood (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

6.2.5

Timber deterioration

Dry rot is a weakening of wood caused by one of several species of fungus. The fungus digests the parts of the wood that give the wood strength and stiffness. Weakened wood is typically somewhat dry, hence the name dry rot, and brittle.

Ironically, dry rot usually results from too much moisture in contact with wood. The dry rot fungus has the unusual ability to transport water from wet areas to dry areas allowing the fungus to grow even in relatively dry wood. If not stopped the dry rot fungus will so weaken wood that it may eventually disintegrate.

140

6.2.6

Efflorescence

Efflorescence is the term used to describe crystalline (or powdery) deposits, usually white in colour, that sometimes form on the surface of brickwork, concrete plasters and other concrete type structures.

In most cases efflorescence is the result of calcium hydroxide (lime) from cementitious substrates being carried to the surface by water. This then reacts with carbon dioxide in the air to form insoluble calcium carbonate. Normally efflorescence is only of cosmetic concern although it can ruin the appearance and physically damage paint coatings.

Figure 6.10 Efflorescence on the wall of the shophouse (Photo source: Syafiq. 2018)

CURRENT CONDITION

Defects and Dilapidation

6

6.2

Figure 6.10 Efflorescence on the wall of the shophouse (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

Efflorescence is most often the result of uncontrolled moisture movement caused initially by poor design details and poor construction techniques. Before attempting to remove efflorescence the source of moisture getting into the substrate should be eliminated. Since the building was erected during pre-war times, many of the building laws we have now did not exists then.

141

6.2.7

Miscellaneous

●

HYGIENE

After the fire incident in 2005, there has been a problem with hygiene within the premises of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers. From mismanaged waste to bird faeces, these problems can cause health issues to the users. This has become not only a safety hazard but also a health hazard as the environment within the premises is unsanitary.

Figure 6.11 The miscellaneous store room (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

CURRENT CONDITION

Defects and Dilapidation

6

6.2

Figure 6.12 Toilet which is in a bad condition (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

●

EXPOSED NAILS

The addition of the partition wall around the airwell on the first floor has some exposed nails which are rusty and may prove fatal to oblivious people who enter the area. The nails are found on the edge of the partition wall.

Figure 6.13 Exposed nails from the partition wall (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

142

The humble building of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers has inevitably undergone years of deterioration despite it’s reconstruction in 2006.

Despite its signiďŹ cant presence in Jalan Stesen, it has not been conserved properly. However, there are ways to revive the building to its former undeterred state. The overall building (both inside and outside) can be repainted with a new coat of paint. Before the repainting can be done, a substantial amount of treatment and cleaning must be done on the walls to prevent future eorescence and possible deterioration in other areas.The timber elements of the building cannot be treated as some of them have decayed beyond repair and have to be replaced with treated wood or even more durable material.

CURRENT CONDITION

Improvements and Suggestion on Defects

6

6.3

Finally, the miscellaneous spaces should be tidied up so that the spaces can serve a better purpose rather than a place to hoard waste. There should be better waste management to improve the hygiene problem within Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers.

143

It has come to a conclusion that it’s inactiveness contributed to the ample space being cluttered by rubbish and storages. Despite that, it still has the potential to be developed beneficially. As most of the current conditions listed are reversible and salvageable with a little effort.

CURRENT CONDITION

Summary

6

6.4

144

CHAPTER 7

Drawings & Photobook: ● ●

7.1 Scaled Drawings 7.2 Photobook

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7

WAH SANG BROTHERS WATCH SHOP PHOTO BOOK

The store signage.

187

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 Wah Sang Brothers watch shop is located at Jalan Stesen 1, Klang. This used to be a busy road is now home to a couple of shophouses run by the older generation.

188

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK

Facade of shop houses opposite Wah Sang brothers.

Facade of shop houses the same row as Wah Sang brothers II.

7

Facade of shop houses the same row as Wah Sang brothers I.

Wah Sang Brothers

189

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The front facade of Wah Sang Brothers.

190

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The back alley of Wah Sang Brothers.

191

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The back alley of Wah Sang Brothers. Photographed from the neighbouring restaurant’s balcony.

192

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 Asbestos roof of Wah Sang Brothers. Photographed from the neighbouring restaurant’s balcony.

193

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 Homeless people and beggars are elements that can be seen around the back alleys of the shophouses.

194

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The rear facade of Wah Sang Brothers.

195

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 Flocks of pigeons can be seen and heard from almost everywhere around the site.

196

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The ďŹ ve foot walkway facing the right side of the shop.

Neighbouring cafe that gathers the neighborhood together.

197

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The ďŹ ve foot walkway facing the left side of the shop.

Neighbouring shop that sells traditional malay clothes.

198

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 Praying altar on one of the pillars in front of the shop.

199

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The main entrance of the watch shop.

200

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The store’s signage

The air vents details are made out of mild steel and allows air to flow inside the shop.

201

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The main gate of the shop. Some rusting can be seen on the gate however it is still in good state.

202

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The front of the shop. Most of the activity happens in this area. All the sales and repair work is done here.

203

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The shop sells wall clocks and watches. However it specialises in repairing older clocks and watches and restores old clocks too.

204

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 Mr Lee Lai Choi (left) and Mr Robert Lee (right) , the owners of the shop.

205

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 Mr Robert Lee repairing watches and clocks at his work desk.

206

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 Paint can be seen peeling of the walls because of the heat and moisture.

207

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The separation of the painted and unpainted cement flooring shows where the separation of shops were in the old days.

208

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 Some of the repaired old clocks for sale and pick up.

209

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The corridor of the shop house.

210

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The airwell located at the center of the shop. Old aquariums and a large birdcage can be seen stored here.

211

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7

The corridor of the shop is packed with a lot of boxes, damaged old clocks, kitchen appliances and bags of recycled tin cans. There is also a store room and a praying altar here.

A lot of unwanted items can also be seen stored at this part of the shop.

212

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 Bird cages can also be seen around this part of the shophouse. The bird cages are handmade by the owner back in the days.

213

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 This is the rear court of the shop, a toilet and staircase is located here.

214

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 Chinese styled vent blocks located at the rear part of the building.

215

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The stairs going to the first floor. The stairs are made out of wood.

216

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The view you get as you reach the top of the stairs.

217

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The view towards the back part of the first floor.

218

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The rear court of the first floor. The toilet and storeroom is also here, similar to the ground floor.

219

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The hallway towards the front part of the first floor.

220

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The wall of the airwells can be seen worn by time, paint peeling with moss growing and some cracking.

221

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 Shutter louvre windows can be seen at the airwell. These windows are similar to the ones in front of the shop known as jalousie windows.

222

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The top part of the air well.

223

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The gutter from the air well connects to the gutter inside the house.

224

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 The hallway towards the rooms.

225

The ямБrst room.

226

7

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK

The second room.

227

7

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK

The third room.

228

7

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 A page out of Mr Robert Lee’s photo album, showing old photos of the shop and personal life.

229

DRAWINGS & PHOTOBOOK 7 A group photo with the owners of the shop, Mr Lee Lai Choi and Mr Robert Lee.

230

CHAPTER 8

Conclusion & Reflection: ● ●

8.1 Conclusion 8.2 Reflection

Conclusion

The Significance of Early Style Shophouses in Klang: An Identity to the first town that appears in Malaysia Klang existed before Kuala Lumpur was born. It was due to the discovery of tin that brought to a development of a town in Klang. But not long after, Kuala Lumpur was discovered to have more tin than Klang, and together with the construction of railway station (KTM) that connects Klang to Kuala Lumpur, this resulted in a sudden development in Kuala Lumpur, which makes it a new capital in west Malaysia. Along the years later, Kuala Lumpur saw a rapid urbanisation and extensive development of infrastructure occurred. Job opportunities were created, quality of life was improved, hence it attracted many youngsters to settle there. Gradually, Klang, which is ‘pioneer’ of the city centre was forgotten.

Today, Klang is dominated by the old generation ranging from the age of 40-60. Due to the lack of younger generation, the development was slowed down and eventually, halted. The shops in Klang are mainly catering for the needs of the existing community — there are no entertainment places and artistry cafes where the generation z enjoys visiting. Only shops that serve daily necessities such as clothes and boutique shops, hardware and spare parts shop, convenience stores, restaurants and some old professions are found here.

If the condition persists, in ten years time, Klang will be entirely replaced by urban developments where modern buildings without an identity will stand all over in Klang, diminishing Klang’s cultural and historical values. This is, then, an unfortunate case for the state.

8 • CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

8.1

Figure 8.1 Southern part of Klang in a sunny afternoon. (Photo source: Google Images, edited)

Figure 8.2 Northern part of Klang. The life here is slow-paced.

Hardware shops can be found along the streets. (Photo source: screenshot from Google Maps, edited)

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The shophouse of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers Shophouses that are constructed after 1960. They either depict International Style, Modern Style or renovated into undistinguishable style.

Early Style and 1st Transition style shophouses that are in use

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Ja la

8 • CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

The Condition of Shophouses along the Old Streets of Klang

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ah

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8 • CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

In truth, the lost of historical and cultural identity has already started as early as 1960s. When the law enforcement was implemented, new shophouses that encompass the architecture of Early Modern Style and International style had sacrificed many of the original yet valuable features of a traditional shophouse. Air wells and courtyards that improve air ventilation, thermal comfort and natural lighting are removed to maximize space for commercial purposes. These features are responsible for user comfort as they not only regulate the thermal condition in the shophouse, but they also bring in biophilic elements into the shophouse. The lack of such features will result in an uncomfortable living space, and thus, an unsustainable design as much of the users will have to rely on artificial lighting and ventilation. The productivity of the users will also decrease.

Wah Sang is one of the only shophouses that has remained the original features of the Early Style shophouse. Despite the damages made from the fire tragedy, the building parts were still intact and only little renovation on the structure was needed. With that being said, if there were no incident that causes any damage to the shophouse, the shophouse will be able to stand for another 50 years or more. Such sustainable building should therefore, be kept for future references, studies and inspirations in the building design industry. The neighbouring streets are already flooded with modern shophouses that has totally lost the vernacular identity of the traditional shophouse architecture. Looking at the situation in Klang, if we do not put effort in preserving this type of shophouses, sooner or later they will be taken over by other buildings that can be easily found in the cities.

Figure 8.3 Street view showing the mix of shophouses along Jalan Stesen.

(Photo source: Ryan, 2018)

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Air well allows natural light to brighten up the spaces, thus reducing the need for artificial lightings.

Pitched roof creates more volume for the spaces, as well as allowing hot air to escape quickly via the air gaps on the roof.

Early Style Shophouse

The dividing wall separates the rear court from the chamber, thus allowing the shophouse to be double-frontaged while protecting the lower floor’s privacy.

The staircase is located at the central part of the shophouse. Without dividing walls, there is no division of spaces, thus the floors are connected as one unit, making it difficult to be separated and used by different tenants. Privacy will be an issue. Unless owned by the same family, the tenants will be disturbed as other people move across the floors.

Atrium/courtyard & air well allows rainwater to enter, and hot air to escape. This cools the shophouse naturally.

Clear separation of the shopfront from the second hall allows programmes of different nature to function in a same unit.

The features such as pitch roofs and air well are the identity of a vernacular architecture as they are originated from China.

8 • CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

The location of the staircase at the rear court, with the help of dividing wall, allows the upper floor of the shop to be used by other tenants without disturbing the programmes on the ground floor.

Despite having cross and stack ventilations regulated by the open plans and air vent, natural light and rain cannot be brought into the central part of the shophouse.

Modern Style Shophouse Open floor plans standardise the spaces and allow flexible use, but only limited to compatible programmes as there is no transition space to separate the areas.

This type of shophouse encompasses the architecture from International Style, which it does not constitute to any particular identity. As a result, the building loses its vernacularity.

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8 • CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

Shophouses that are constructed in the 1960s are influenced by the architecture style born during the modernism movement, which is also known as International Style.

The use of clean lines, crisp edges and flat surfaces expressed modernism, resulting in a loss of the vernacular identity.

Figure 8.4 4-storey shophouses that portray the architecture of Early Modern Style and International Style can be found along Jalan Tengku Diauddin, Klang. (Photo source: Screenshot from Google Maps, edited)

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8 • CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

To

preserve itself is not sufficient — there is a need of new interventions to propel the functionality of the shophouse so that the continuity of the building can be assured. The current issue is that there is a lack of confluence of people, especially the younger generation that will inevitably be the successors of the current generation. Some efforts are needed to redraw their attention to this old town. The Klang Municipal has recently launched a Klang Rejuvenation Project that aims to revive Klang to its former glory. Murals has been added to the unoccupied back alleys, which they borrow references from Penang and Melaka, in the hopes of attracting youngsters who would come to Klang to visit and check in on social media, thus spreading the municipal’s initiative to the public.

This effort alone is not enough, however, as the lack of business opportunities and amenities will not keep them long. The initiative should work together with the shophouses which are the assets of the streets in order to ensure the success of the project.

The typology of the shophouses which include Wah Sang Brothers is designed in such a way that the staircase is located at the rear court, and this grants the shophouse a direct access to the upper floor from the back lane without having to disturb the businesses in the shopfront. Also, given the fact that most of the upper floors of the shophouses are left vacant, if they can be utilised together with the back lane, these spaces can offer the younger generation a place to establish their new business concepts. In conjunction with the back lane that is intended to be transformed into a cultural lane, they can be a factor of attraction that draws the youngsters to Klang, thus giving these seemingly insignificant shophouses a new life while allowing mutual existence between the old and new communities. In the end, it is not necessary to demolish previous establishments in order to make way for new generations. Adaptive reuse can be a good choice for this kind of situation. Plus, by conserving old buildings, the wisdom in spatial planning can be learned and passed down to generations in order to bring innovations to the buildings in the future.

Figure 8.5 The mural and art installation at the back alley.

(Photo source: Lissa, 2018)

Figure 8.6 The subtle and peaceful back alley complimented by colorful walls. Mosses on the walls give the alley a rustic look and worn-out feeling. (Photo source: Syafiq, 2018)

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Working together with the streets and back alleys of Klang Front chamber on the upper floor now serves as the new shop front for young tenants to establish their businesses.

Rear chamber becomes the foyer for the ‘shop’ on the upper floor.

Art galleries, cafes, studio, etc.

Unutilised back alley proposed to become a cultural lane

8 • CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

Adaptive Reuse of Early Style Shophouse

The central courtyard can be turned into a green courtyard that benefits both communities.

The existing street and business on the lower floor remain undisturbed.

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8 • CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

Malaysia

is a country that is made up of different races with different culture. Aside from food and religion, architecture is also part of the cultural aspects that should be taken into account in the efforts of preserving the Malaysian heritage. Therefore, it is important to conserve the different architectures brought into Malaysia by different races as they not only symbolise a harmonious existence of diverse races that unites the country, but also represents the identity of Malaysia. The shophouse of Wah Sang, as part of the Chinese architecture, should therefore be kept in good condition.

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Ahmad Syafiq Deen

(0325116)

During this short semester, we are grouped in groups consisting of semester 3 and 2 students. This opens up a whole new experience of working with new people. We all got along very well and I believe progressed and work together well. I was the groups photographer so I was mostly taking videos during the site visit. However I can see the challenges my group mates face in trying to measure the building. Being very old and dusty, the building is quite difficult to measure.

This along with the fact that there are a lot of stuff lying around the shophouse that we can’t really move. But we were also treated very nicely by the shop owners and at the end of the day accomplished our goal, with the guidance of our tutor.

My group mates and tutor also supported me when I was slacking so I am very thankful to have people like so around me. All and all, I am very satisfied with the outcome my group has produced and have learnt a lot about working together and time management.

Goretty Lee

(0326837)

Throughout this assignment, I have obtained valuable knowledge which goes beyond lecture scopes.

During this assignment, not only we get to perceive the stipulated site as provided by our lecturers, but also have obtained a better understanding in regards to the history of the state involved ie the origins and the development of the landmark structures within the state itself

CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

Reflection

8

8.2

On the other hand, We are fortunate that our site owner is friendly. He is also easy to communicate with ie he does not think that we are a disruption towards his business operation, instead, he is supportive of our motives and providing us with ample assistance. In addition, much obliged to our seniors.

We obtained resourceful knowledge from them. For instance, they showered us with their patience by teaching and guiding us to use softwares such as Revit and AutoCAD etc. Last but not least, there exists the element of co-operation between teammates and the assistance from passionate tutor, in facilitating this assignment. In essence, we strongly believed that we will obtain outstanding results in regards to the above mentioned.

240

Khoo Yung Keat

(0324688)

It is my first time having a big group assignment which is a combination of semester 2 and semester 3 students. For this group assignment, we are assigned to measure our selected building and record down the information of our site. The location given by our lecturer is a watch shop in Klang. The shop was built in the end of the 19th century and has been in operation for almost a century. We were given various tools to help us conduct this project. We went to the building via bus for 7 days and a few days I drove there myself. We have planned our own schedule and separated into teams to measure different parts of the building, The building was quite old and worn especially the back part, and there were a lot of things blocking the walls and columns we need to measure.

We wore masks and gloves during our work because it was quite dusty, until some of our measurement are affected. With the help of the laser distance meter, we managed to get all the measurements we wanted. After we collected all the measurement, as the group leader of detail team for 3D modelling, I have assigned my group member to assist me in creating revit family. After the revit 3D model is complete.

Some of the member have to do autocad file for laser cutting and some are assigned to do scaled drawings. Overall, my group members are very easy going and good teamwork spirit.

Lindsay Lim

(0326844)

Having the privilege to explore the outskirt of an urban city has given me the opportunity to see the other side of modernism architecture, where it all started. I was given the honor to be apart of and lead the report team which incorporated intensive research, documentations, and structural representation of concepts and ideas of what drawings may not be able to speak for its own significance.

This gladly allowed me to expose myself to different ways of learning and understanding the perception of the confluence of context and the building. It provided a mandatory platform for my journey as an architecture student.

CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

Reflection

8

8.2

Apart from the general speaking of learning, the shophouse assigned to us was simple in which gave us the chance to divert and delve into a poetic direction that opened our eyes to the cultural and historical part of Klang. This led to the understanding of changes from the influences of community and context which also led to finding the significance and reason to conserve what was used to be called an insignificant shophouse. Changing the perspective of an insignificant shophouse to something valuable was a great achievement experienced. I was also able to step into the technical part by using softwares that was thought by seniors who are more than willing to share their knowledge. Truly, this semester has been a great help in paving my journey in this field.

241

Lissa Lai

(0326465)

Prior to the semester, I had mixed feelings on what to expect throughout the short semester. Over the weeks, I’ve slowly learnt to open up to my other group members whom I never knew well initially. The assignment made it a great point to emphasize on the importance of working together as we needed to tally our information at the end of the day.

Asides from my group members, Mr. Lee, the owner of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers has shown me another side of our assigned site. It was more than just an old building that needed to be archived but the historical value behind it has etched its place in the memories of the people in Klang.

Initially, I was very indifferent about the building as it just had a simple facade with plenty of irregular construction work done.

Despite its simplicity and oddities, Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers has become a vital essence that makes up Klang.

Naim Rosli

(0324757)

The project was about measured drawing, hence measuring an existing that has been standing for more than 50 years with 17 group mates were definitely a challenge. The site was a shophouse located at Klang, Selangor owned by Mr Lee. From site visit, the group has been worried whether we can finish it on time. The project consists of 3 parts: drawing, model and report. Each task has been nevertheless challenging. We managed to complete the model before everything else; hence we got more time on drawings. For report, the report team has finished it before model was completed. Overall, the good team effort, and effective time management, we managed to complete the entire task before the submission and truly an opening experience as of how management works in a team.

CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

Reflection

8

8.2

The process of compiling the data and producing the final works were tiring and most often than not the drafts would be rejected. Sleepless nights were inevitable and sometimes it burnt a hole in our pockets. However, what kept me going was Mr. Lee himself. A building can just be a building, but the people who use the space within it gives it life and substance.

That’s what Mr. Lee did and I, with the rest of my group, were determined to ensure Mr. Lee’s story lives on.

242

Ng Lek Yuen

(0324010)

Working with a big group of 17 members to measure an old shophouse located in Klang, Selangor is definitely an eye opening experience for me. I am worried about how 17 of us were going to complete the project in the beginning. However, all thanks to the efficient team and our supportive lecturer, work was well arranged and everything is on time and well done. I have learnt a lot about developing clear understanding of the principles of building conservation and producing various methods of documentation on every stage of work in this project. Although there is a lot problems and errors during the progress, I am truly grateful working together with my team and solve everything together. This short semester is surely one of my unforgettable experience.

Ng Pui Yan

(0324785)

Having the opportunity to physically immerse myself in an old shop house located in Klang has definitely deepened my love for old architecture. It has made me truly realise the vast difference between the practicalities of older architectural styles compared to our current architectural styles. Being in a group of 17, I was appointed to lead the team throughout the whole entire semester. It has taught me the many ways of managing a team especially given that this was my very first time leading a team. It also taught me the different ways of adapting to the flexibility of my role in the team. This first-hand experience of measuring and documenting a building has allowed me to further develop my knowledge towards architectural as well as the corporate world. I believe this semester will truly prepare us for the industry in the coming future.

CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

Reflection

8

8.2

243

Ong Kar Chun

(0326487)

In this short semester, this is short and we are given a limited time to complete all the given tasks. The biggest challenge that we face for this project would be doing the measurement on the physical building. Since the building is pretty old and it is not in align straightly which make day the measurement harder to achieve. However, end of the we manage to get all the measurement needed with the help everyone even though it is time consuming.

This short semester helps me to learn a proper way to measure while documenting and also improved my knowledge of using dierent type of digital instrument to produce the architectural drawings. There are ups and downs during the period of this project but in overall, this short semester is a good experience for me.

Phua Vey Suanne

(0327864)

For the past few week , we had been working on methods of documentation & measured drawing project .We are assigned to measure Syarikat Wah Sang which is located in Klang for 5 days. We separated into few groups : detail group, section group and elevation so that work can be done on time. All measurements will be collected and compile on the same day.

In the total of 17 group members we worked hand in hand on this project.Apart from doing measurement on site, we are assigned to do additional research on the architectural and culture attributes to our building. I think our group is unique in a sense that we all made a strong contribution to the group project and to the discussion at meeting.

CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

Reection

8

8.2

244

Sak Kar Wai (Ryan)

(0326525)

This is a valuable short semester that has granted me useful knowledge on how to measure and document an old building, as well as to conduct effective and in depth research to justify the significance of the building. The module is an eight-week long semester and comprises of a mix of students from sem 2 and sem 3. In our group, 17 people are assigned to measure and document an 118 years old shophouse owned by Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers, a watch dealer shop that also repairs antique clocks. It is a humble building that is not as fancy as historic temples and churches--it only has a plain facade with two timber louvred windows on the front.

I was under the Report Team which mainly deals with the research, organisation and presentation of the building’s info in a report format. Since our shophouse is more culturally attached, and is highly influenced by the historical changes of the place, the scope covers as large as urban studies. Even though I was less involved in the measuring exercise, I had gained precious knowledge about the shophouse, why is it being built so, and the importance of a seemingly insignificant building to Klang. It is also a pleasure to get to know to the friendly owners, Mr. Lee Lai Choy and Robert Lee who are willing to share their stories and the business with us.

Tan Wei Sen

(0324564)

It's my first time ever participating in a building measurement exercise. Our given building was an old shop lot built in the 1890`s, located in Klang. It was difficult at first because we have to creatively figure out how to measure the parts of the shoplot with limited tools given. I was assigned to a group to measure the roofs and ceilings. We couldn't access the roofing of the shop lot at first and had to go into the neighboring building and climb up to their second floor to get measurements for the corrugated sheets and how it connects to the purlins.

CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

Reflection

8

8.2

It was a really hectic and tiring experience during those few days of measurement, because the shop has a lot of things and merchandise (watches) in the storeroom, and we had to move it carefully from part to part. But the owners were great people and very generous and kind in helping us completing our project.

245

Tan Zi Wen

(0327759)

This project is a small glimpse of reality of my passion. The whole experience on site , started off from measuring each and every part of the building, together with the team, and heading back to draw whatever we measured, the whole journey had been a valuable lesson for me. Even though it started off clueless, but as we go on, we slowly grasp along every new lesson and experienced we had.

I was grateful that the mixture with seniors as team members happened, enabling me to learn so much from them. The seniors has been a great example , observing the way they work, the approach they took in handling situations, is something I could learn so much from. I enjoyed this project in the sense that we need to pick up knowledge and skills in this short period of time, being able to work with people and communicate our ideas, being able to try and error to learn from our every failure.

Vanessa Chai Pei Yei

(0327887)

In this project, we are assign to measure and document the old building, for my group the building is Syarikat Wah Sang Brother that located in Jalan Stesen 1, Klang. It is one of the oldest shophouse among the street. We are lucky enough to have a friendly shop owner that willing to share his journey and the history of his shop. For this project my fellow members and i are separated into groups. Along with two members I’m assigned to do detail measurement , that need to measure door , window , ventilation block , sign board , and etc. We all work together to get the correct measurement on site. Each members plays their own role well , therefore we achieved our common goal quicker and better in the group project.

CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

Reflection

8

8.2

Under the guidance and influential experience of Dr. Suchi, our advising tutor, we get to do better in every progress.

Besides that, it is a pleasure to get to know our site building host, Mr. Lee Lai Choy and Mr.Robert Lee, owner of Sykt Wah Sang Brothers as they are both cooperative in sharing their stories and supportive of our motif. This short semester will definitely be a memorable experience to me.

246

Wong Chee Fon

(0327220)

Measured drawing to me has been an amazing journey with many aspects of learning opportunity with a closer engagement to the outside community to undergo measuring and analytical activities on the given building site. Working in a big group has been a good time as i got to learn lots of skills especially from the seniors who has been very patient in guiding us in softwares and etc. Dr Suchi, our advising tutor has been very helpful and influential in our work and provided many relevant reference and her own experience to make us do better. Besides, our site building host, Mr Lee Lai Choy the owner of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers has been very understanding and cooperative in providing the best for us to undergo our measuring and interviewing activity and everything went very well and smooth. In general throughout this module i have more exposure to really knowing how to analyse, measure and also find the most suitable way to document findings for the given building.

Lim Janzen

(0331320 )

When I first joined the group, my first task was to do an introduction to the shop for the report. After that, we went to Klang on the bus and I was assigned to the detail team and was in charge of measuring furnitures and details of the shop such as the grill, sign board and ceiling boards. I also helped the section team to measure some parts of the building such as the roof and the windows. During the course of the assignment, I had the chance to interact with my group members during lunch time. Through this assignment, I was able to interact with people from other semesters as well as people whom I don’t usually talk to in my semester. I enjoyed my time in Klang because I was able to try local foods in Klang such as banana leaf rice, steamed breads and soup noodles. I also enjoyed the measuring exercise because I was able to understand and listen to the history of the place during the interview by the report team. After the trip to Klang, I was assigned to trace the pictures in AutoCAD and Revit for the grandfather clock. I was also assigned to the model team and did We had to come to campus almost everyday do the drawings. I found it hard to keep up with the schedule because I had other personal things to do but overall it was an amazing experience working with the team.

CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

Reflection

8

8.2

247

Wajeeha Khan

(0328484)

This exercise was based on measuring and documenting a historical and architecturally significant building, Wah Sang Brothers (1890’s) situated in Klang to translate the collected data into a set of drawings. The course of this assignment was divided into three parts, the first part was we had to document the building with freehand sketches, through this activity I have more understanding of the building. During the measurement and documenting period, we visited the site and I was assigned under the group documenting the roof and ceiling. It was a little tricky to measure the ceiling given that the shop had counters and clocks on the walls making certain parts non-accessible, so our team chose to measure all the accessible parts and then moderate it for the overall plasterboard ceiling. I also helped in measuring the behind sections of the floor plans of the building. The experience on site was exciting yet tiring but nonetheless I really enjoyed it.

For the report part I researched on the materials used in the roof and ceiling of the shop and how it relates to the building.

The overall experience was very good, it was a great team effort with very straight forward and cooperative leaders and the senior colleagues that always helped and advised me.

CONCLUSION & REFLECTION

Reflection

8

8.2

248

CHAPTER 9

Appendix: ● ● ●

9.1 Interview Transcripts 9.2 Glossary 9.3 Bibliography & References

9

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTION APPENDIX, GLOSSARY AND REFERENCE

Interview Transcript

An impromptu interview with Mr. Lee Lai Choy, the 2nd generation of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers, and also one of the legal owners of the shophouse.

Interviewer : Students Interviewee : Mr. Lee Lai Choy Interviewer

: Hello, uncle. We wanted to know, asides from you, who else is the legal owner of this shophouse?

Interviewee : Asides from me, my nephew, Robert, and his siblings legally own this shophouse. Robert is more proactive as he also works in the watch shop and attends to the customer needs. : What was the initially function of this shophouse previously?

9

Interviewer

APPENDIX, GLOSSARY AND REFERENCE

9.1

Interviewee : From the beginning, the watch shop had always been running together with a noodle factory. Later on, a petition writer joined us and followed by a dentist. The space within the ground floor of the shop house was divided according to the needs of the tenants. As time passed by, one by one the tenants left the building, either for a better opportunity or even passed on. The last one to depart was the petition writer in the year 1996. The first floor has always been some sort of residency for different people. At one point, the Japanese used the space above as their own lookout point.

Interviewer

: When was the shophouse first built? And how did the name come to be?

Interviewee : The shophouse was first built during the prewar era in the 1800s. Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers was initially called Syarikat Wah Sang by my father when he first opened it in the 1915.He came from Guangzhou, China. After my father passed away, me and my brother inherited the business and added the word ‘Brother’ to the name of the business.

Even after my brother passed away, the name still remained.

251

Interviewer

: How was your business affected during the Japanese occupation in Malaysia? Was there any difficulties running the business during the World War II era?

Interviewee : In the past, during the Japanese occupation, our business was actually temporarily closed. During that period of time, me and my brother fleet the war with our belongings and all the watches we owned. We were forced to sell the watches to support our livelihood during those times.

Interviewer

: Besides the watch shop, what kind of businesses were running in this area? And has it changed since then?

Interviewee : Back then, Jalan Stesen 1 was much more livelier due to the presence of many eateries in streets. After the Klang bridge was erected, a substantial amount businesses had plummeted due to better opportunity elsewhere. Many of the original shops have been closed down and replaced with other newer businesses or just left vacant.

Interviewer

APPENDIX, GLOSSARY AND REFERENCE

Interview Transcript

9

9.1

: What inspired your father to open the watch shop then?

Interviewee : My father first opened the watch shop because fixing watches was the only thing he knew. From there on, he then taught me and my brother how to fix watches and we continued the business from there on. It was only much later, after the Japanese occupation, that we finally bought two watches and started the watch selling business.

Interviewer

: What distinguishes this particular shophouses as compared to other buildings developed in the same era?

Interviewee : The things that make our shophouses different from the others is that Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers is one of the oldest shophouses along Jalan Stesen 1. Besides that, Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers it is also the earliest watch shop in this area.

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Interviewer

: During the Japanese occupation, what happened to your family when you fled?

Interviewee : We escaped to a place called Kampung Jawa for around one year and then we moved back to Syarikat Wah Sang.

Interviewer

: In what year did your business reached its peak?

Interviewee : In the year of 1962, our business was at its peak at that time. This was because we started working for the Sultan at his palace by fixing their clocks and watches.

Interviewer

: Is it very hard to repair those old type of watches and clocks?

Interviewee : Some are easy to repair but some can take up to months to repair. In some cases, we aren’t able to fix it. But I try not to give up and try my best to repair those old watches and clocks. Some of the watches comprises of hundreds of spare parts and it is so much more complicated. Never give up, to achieve more is what I told to myself everytime when I am facing hardship in repairing old type of watches.

APPENDIX, GLOSSARY AND REFERENCE

Interview Transcript

9

9.1

253

An impromptu interview with Mr.Robert Lee, the 3rd generation of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers, who is also one of the legal owners of Syarikat Wah Sang Brothers was conducted during our five-day site visit.

Interviewer

: Students

Interviewee : Mr. Robert Lee

Interviewer

: Hello, Mr. Robert. What made you continue the business and not start a new business?

Interviewee : My grandmother was the one who kept on motivating and advising me to continue the watch business so that the business that her late husband once started would not diminish.

Interviewer

APPENDIX, GLOSSARY AND REFERENCE

Interview Transcript

9

9.1

: Did you learned all the skills of repairing watches and clocks techniques from Mr. Lee Lai Choy?

Interviewee : Yes. I learnt the skills from my uncle, Mr. Lee Lai Choy and my father. Now, my uncle is not as active in the business as he used to be, so I will be the one who repairs those watches and clocks which are more complex.

Interviewer

: Has the construction of this shophouse changed a lot especially after the fire incident? As the time flies, was any maintenance done towards the building?

Interviewee : (Refer to first floor plan) The shophouse had two airwells in the olden days and there was a bridge at the upper floor. It does not many changes except for the flooring at the back area of the ground floor.

254

Interviewer

: We realise that the whole plan of the buildings in this area are slanted and the walls is not straight. Do you know what is the reason behind of it?

Interviewee : During the olden times, the front road of the shophouses are straight, but as is progressed to the back it would slant significantly at the rear end. This also caused the walls to slant slightly as it follows the plan of the building.

Interviewer

: Are there anything changes to Jalan Stesen?

Interviewer

: There are not many changes along the street. The only things that changed were the number of people becoming significally lesser and lesser as time passed by. The reason why the number of people decreased is because of the absence of some of the shops along the streets during the Japanese occupation. Most of them went for agriculture causing a exponential raise in people working in this field.

Interviewer

APPENDIX, GLOSSARY AND REFERENCE

Interview Transcript

9

9.1

: Who are your regular customers?

Interviewee : The customers here are mostly people living in this area. There are rarely any young people coming here ever since the supermarket closed down.

Interviewer

: How has your business been doing now?

Interviewee : The business has surprisingly improved compared to the past.

255

Interview Transcript

An impromptu interview with Mr. Fai, who is a part of the Rejuvenation project, was conducted during our five-day site visit.

Nonetheless, Mr. Fai is also one of the tour guides in Klang area who insisted in the conservation and revival of the shophouses around Klang area

: Students

Interviewee

: Mr. Fai

Interviewer

: Good afternoon, Mr. Fai. We are the architecture students from Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus. May we know how does Jalan Stesen 1 looked like in the past? Does it have a big difference?

Interviewee

: In the olden days, Jalan Stesen 1 looked much more livelier than now. There were loads of food stalls in the past along

9

Interviewer

APPENDIX, GLOSSARY AND REFERENCE

9.1

the street, people tend to gather at this street especially in the weekend. Due to the existence of the supermarket in Jalan Stesen 1, it contributed greatly to the economy of the area.

Interviewer

: Can you briefly describe the history of street in this area?

Interviewee

: Actually Jalan Stesen had been known for a few names before this, such as Japan street, Malay street and food street (wai sek gai). ‘Japan Street’ came about during the Japanese occupation that resided in Klang for awhile. For ‘Malay Street’, it was said to be connected with Gedung Raja Abdullah. Jalan Stesen 1 was called ‘Food Street’ because of the abundant amount of food stalls in the street. Jalan Besar , the neighbouring street, got its namesake because it is one of the main roads in Klang. The street behind Jalan Stesen 1 is called Jalan Tengku Diauddin.

256

Interviewer

: Why do you have the patience to join the rejuvenation project and try so hard to conserve this place?

Interviewee

: The main reason I want to conserve this place is because I wanted it to return back to its former outburst atmosphere in there and have the space benefit both the older and younger generation. Another reason is because this is the place where I was born and grew up in. I feel the need improve Klang.

Interviewer

: I feel that the atmosphere along the street is slow paced and it gives off a very deserted feeling. Since you are joining the rejuvenation project, does the team have any thoughts on how to revive this whole street?

Interviewee : We had actually started the rejuvenation project one year ago. There are few of mural arts about hokkien language at the back alley in that area. Hokkien language is translated in mural because Klang is a place where it is rich in Hokkien people. However, it turned out negatively due to the poor maintenance of the mural arts. Asides from that, I as an individual actually had an idea on how to rejuvenate the streets in Klang. If you observe the shops closely, most of the upper floors of each shophouse are vacant. Furthermore, the staircases leading to the upper floors are located at the back. To revive the whole street, not just the front but also the back alleys, businesses should exist at the vacant upper floors. This is to attract the younger demography to not only the businesses above but also to the street. With the businesses running upstairs, the existing businesses in the front would not be disturbed. This is could become a kind of symbolism of integration between the older and younger generation.

APPENDIX, GLOSSARY AND REFERENCE

Interview Transcript

9

9.1

257

9

GLOSSARY APPENDIX, GLOSSARY AND REFERENCE

A

Chief

Administrative

a leader or ruler of a people or clan, the head of an organization, form of address to a man, especially one of superior rank or status. OR most important, or having or denoting the highest rank.

relating to the running of a business, organization, etc.

Artefacts

Circulation An object made by a human being, typically one of cultural or historical interest. Or; something observed in a scientiďŹ c investigation or experiment that is not naturally present but occurs as a result of the preparative or investigative procedure.

Asbestos a highly heat-resistant ďŹ brous silicate mineral that can be woven into fabrics, and is used in brake linings and in ďŹ re-resistant and insulating materials.

B

movement to and fro or around something. Or; the public availability or knowledge of something.

Column an upright pillar, typically cylindrical, supporting an arch, entablature, or other structure or standing alone as a monument.

Or; a vertical division of a page or text. Or; one or more lines of people or vehicles moving in the same direction.

APPENDIX, GLOSSARY AND REFERENCE

Glossary

9

9.2

D

Brittle Disorientated hard but liable to break easily.

C

cause (someone) to lose their sense of direction or make (someone) feel confused.

Ceramic

Dispersion

made of clay and permanently hardened by heat. OR pots and other articles made from clay hardened by heat.

the action or process of distributing things or people over a wide area.

259

F

an arrival or entry of large numbers of people or things. Or; an inflow of water into a river, lake, or the sea.

APPENDIX, GLOSSARY AND REFERENCE

Flexibility

Infrastructure

9

the quality of bending easily without breaking i.e. the ability to be easily modified.

the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

9.2

Glossary

Diversified

Industrial

make or become more diverse or varied. Or; (of a company) enlarge or vary its range of products or field of operation.

relating to or characterized by industry. Or; very great in extent or amount.

Inevitable

Dualism certain to happen; unavoidable. the division of something conceptually into two opposed or contrasted aspects, or the state of being so divided. Or; the quality or condition of being dual; duality.

G Gastronomical relating to the practice of cooking or eating good food.

Influx

Intertwine twist or twine together. Or; connect or link (two or more things) closely.

I

L

Illuminate

Linearity

light up. OR help to clarify or explain.

the property, quality, or state of being linear. Or; arranged in or extending along a straight or nearly straight line.

260

Glossary

M

P

Miscellaneous

Partition

(of items or people gathered or considered together) of various types or from dierent sources. Or; (of a collection or group) composed of members or elements of dierent kinds.

a structure dividing a space into two parts, especially a light interior wall.

Mixed-use

Refurbished

Real Estate; combining commercial and residential development; zoned for commercial and residential use. Or; designed for diverse functions.

renovate and redecorate (something, especially a building).

Motifs

the action or process of making someone or something look or feel better, younger, or more vital.

R

APPENDIX, GLOSSARY AND REFERENCE

9.2

9

Rejuvenation

a decorative image or design, especially a repeated one forming a pattern. Or; a dominant or recurring idea in an artistic work.

Multicultural relating to or containing several cultural or ethnic groups within a society.

Reviving restore to life or consciousness. Or; give new strength or energy to. Or; restore interest in or the popularity of. Or; improve the position or condition of.

Rigidity

Multitudes a large number of people or things. Or; the state of being numerous.

inability to be to bent or be forced out of shape. Or; inability to be changed or adapted.

Royalty people of royal blood or status who are the most successful, famous, or highly regarded members of a particular group.

261

Glossary

S

U

Segregated

Unconventional

set apart from the rest or from each other; isolate or divide.

not based on or conforming to what is generally done or believed.

Subtle Utility (especially of a change or distinction) so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyse or describe. Or; (of a mixture or effect) delicately complex and understated.

Or;arranged in an ingenious and elaborate way.

9

Sultanate

the state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial. Or; a public utility.

APPENDIX, GLOSSARY AND REFERENCE

9.2

a state, country, territory or office that is ruled by a sultan. Or; the position of a sultan or the period of time when a sultan rules.

T Tenants a person who occupies land or property rented from a landlord.

Typology a classification according to general type, or a study or analysis using a classification according to a general type. Or; the study and interpretation of types and symbols.

262

9

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APPENDIX, GLOSSARY, AND REFERENCE

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APPENDIX, GLOSSARY, AND REFERENCE

Bibliography and Reference

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华生与其它乐龄店铺看着时代的转变，看着年轻一代的店铺茁 壮立起，就像店铺老板一样，看着自己的孩子频频向外发展， 逐获成就，仍是感到欣慰。再看着自己慢慢的老去，逐渐被社 会淘汰，也不禁感到无奈。这是一个经历过二战，看惯世事的 老店铺。它已无任何牵挂，与留下来陪它的老朋友畅欢乐谈。 它放慢步伐，无忧无虑的过着所剩的每一天。每一天都过的随 心所欲，星期一不想早起，就迟些开店；星期五想早点休息，就 早些关店。 这一天，里头的钟表依然慢条斯理地跳动着，华生看着一个个 时针的跳动，再看看那些已停止“嘀嗒”的老时钟，计算着自己 所剩的时间。“啊，再怎么算也都无所谓了，反正该走的时候还 是得走，不想了，听些歌吧。” 华生摇头心想。不一会儿，经典 音乐响起，华生又开始回忆起年少青光。

后序 A Shop with Antique Clocks