The Malay house : rationale and change

Abstract

The Malay house is defined and described in the Malaysian context . Underlying principles or rules that make up the· house are derived from the analysis of its physical, spatial and functional elements and the variations that these elements exhibit. Tho rules are tested in the reconstruction of the Malay house. Changes based on hypothetical cases are then introduced to find out how the house would transform under these new sets of requirements. It is found that it is possible for a person, having not seen a Malay house prior to this, to reconstruct one based on the rules stated in this work. It is also found that new systems have to be added to the existing systems in the Malay house to meet the requirements for change. The addition of new systems however, do not mean the destruction of the tradition. It is hoped that this prototype would be the basis for further research in the Malay house.