BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONS) ARCHITECTURE
DEGREE SEMESTER 2
ARCHITECTURE CULTURE & HISTORY 2 [ARC1323]
Project: Architectural Heritage Building Analysis
Central Market Kuala Lumpur
- NameStudent IDYeoh Pik Qin0303357Koik Pei Yi0301246Khoo Chee Mei0303125Feiven Chee0312004
Central Market, Kuala Lumpur
1.Introduction
1.1Central Market
The Kuala Lumpur Central Market or what we called as Pasar Seni is situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur; it is once a wet market and now functioned as an entertainment and recreational hub for local citizens and foreigners. Though somewhat commercialized by the rapid developments around it, one can still find much of our Malaysian culture retained in the arts and crafts sold there. Reflecting the typical busy streets in city life, it stands in a remarkable position amongst other modern city skyscrapers.
Central Market was originally stands on the Jalan Hang Kasturi which is built by Yap Ah Loy as a wet market and relocated to a double storey building occupied 123.5 meters long, 60.8 meters wide and 7.9 meters high at the same location by Messrs T.Y Lee as architect and Mr. R.H Steed as the Town Engineer on 1937. The location of the Wet Market was very convenient to the early city dwellers because it was within the vicinity of Klang bus stand, bus service centre for Kuala Lumpur and the train station. For now, Central Market also provides connections to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and major destination and hotels for tourist due to its location.
Back in the days, Kuala Lumpur was once famous with its rich tin mines. A lot of workers from other countries were sent to there to work at the tin mines. In 1888, the Central Market was built to serve as a wet market to provide Kuala Lumpur’s large tin mining community for fresh meat, fish, vegetables and daily needs. When the market had undergone further expansions made in 1889, 1895, 1920 and 1921, a permanent single-storey structure was built to house all the vendors under one roof. By 1933, the expansions to the warehouse made the market now in its present size that can include three cold rooms for frozen meats, 170 vegetable and fruit stalls, 158 fish stalls, 36 beef stalls, 27 pork stalls and 20 poultry stalls. The Central Market is now transformed to become the centre of promoting Malaysian culture and heritage.
1.2 Historical Background of Central Market
The history of Central Market can be dated back to 1888. During the construction of Dayabumi, a development project of commercial offices and hotels, on the opposite bank of Klang River in 1981, the market acquired by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to be demolished, as well as the old shop houses north and south of it. However, the Malaysian Heritage Society successfully petitioned against the demolition of the Central Market and it was declared as a 'Heritage Site'.
In 1985, through an allocation of RM9.0 million granted by the Federal Government, the market which once served as a wet market was renovated into vibrant and colourful new style and was transformed to a centre for Malaysian culture, arts, and handicrafts. The façade has remained unaltered to retain the charm of yesteryears.
On 15th April 1986, Melewar Leisure Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Kumpulan Melewar Berhad took over the ownership of the building and was officially opened and launched as Pasar Seni by Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz who then was Minister of Public Enterprise. Currently, Central Market still retains the nostalgic feel of Malaysian history during the pre-independence era, and it is used to promote Malaysian culture through the sales of local art and craft product.
1.3 Contextual condition
The differences before and after the wet market was built can be differentiated in several aspects. In physical aspect, before the wet market was built, people around had a hard time to buy groceries but after the wet market was built, there are easier for those residence around to get their groceries in different variety. In aspect of social, residence there seldom communicate because they seldom gather, but after the wet market was built, residence around are easily gather at the wet market. Therefore, communication and bonding relationships takes place. While in the aspect of political, there are city planning takes place under the management of city’s Chinese Kapitan, Yap Ah Loy by building a wet market. Before that, nobodies had done city planning for the residence around. Then, in the aspect of economical, there are less economical deal and businesses carry on around that area. After the wet market was built, it provides people with work opportunities and it brings up the economical situation of that area. Finally, in the aspect of culture, before the wet market was built, residence around have to go far and different places to get different groceries but after the wet market was built, it is more convenient for the residence around to get their groceries. Therefore, went to wet market had become their culture.
The Art Deco design style of interior and exterior of Central Market building had a big relation with the local technology, climate condition, history, culture and beliefs. The main structure of Central Market is made of reinforced concrete, supported on reinforced concrete piles because this is the most common and steady material to use. As we known, Malaysia’s climate is hot and humid throughout the years, therefore, the glass window of Central Market uses glazed blue-green coloured Calorex rolled plate glass which only allows 20% of the sun’s heat and 60 % of daylight to penetrate. Moreover, the Kasturi Walk that running the entire length of the building was glazed with the Calorex of a lighter tint. These have been the earliest use of heat resisting glass on such extent in Malaysia. Besides, the exterior design of Central market also affected by Art Deco Style which originated from France because this architecture style is wide being used during the 30s and 40s, while the building was first built during 1930, which Art Deco is popular in the post- World War II era. Therefore, Central Market is affected by the France architecture culture. In fact, Central Market is considered the first energy efficient building in Kuala Lumpur because it had made a good use of the local climate to create an energy saving building. It had used to be a new leading building technology for that particular time. From the historical view, Central Market had used to be a wet market which people gather from different races, beliefs and cultures, so it further developed to a place where promotes local culture. Therefore, there are Little India, Malay Street and Straits Chinese which represent different culture in Malaysia.
1.4 Design Ideas or Concept
The idea of building the Central Market is to house all the stalls under a shelter so that it will become a centre where the citizens and tin miners can get their daily supplies. It is arranged in a stall concept, representing the traditional market that has existed in Kuala Lumpur since the 1800s. However, what makes this heritage building so interesting to architectural heritage buff is its Art Deco Architecture. Art Deco, or Deco, is an influential visual arts design style introduced in France during the 1920s. It is said to have begun from 1925 when the International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts was held in France to showcase new ideas in applied arts.Art Deco is an eclectic style that combines traditional craft and ancient architectural motifs with Machine Age imagery and materials. The style is often characterized by rich colours, bold geometric shapes, and lavish ornamentation. Art Deco gained popularities internationally from the end of 1920s and was used extensively for public works projects during 1930s such as railway station, ocean liners, movie palaces, amusement parks etc. Historian Bevis Hillier defined Art Deco as "an assertively modern style...[that] ran to symmetry rather than asymmetry, and to the rectilinear rather than the curvilinear; it responded to the demands of the machine and of new material...[and] the requirements of mass production." Unfortunately, its popularity waned in the early 1940s.
2. Building analysis
According to National Heritage Act 2005(Act 645), building means a building or groups of separate or connected building which, because of their architectural, their homogeneity or their place in the landscape, are of outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or science. Each historic building has its own unique quality which must be protected for the use and enjoyment of this and future generation.
One of the special features of Central Market is the art deco design. Ancient architectural design are frequently applied in Art Deco, therefore as we can see bold ziggurat design has been chosen by the architect in many parts of this building such as its terraced gable on its main entrance and other entrances. In addition to that, its recessed main entrance is said to create the illusion of a passageway to a stage set.
Meanwhile, Art Moderne, also known as Streamline Moderne, was a late type of design style related to Art Deco which emerged during the 1930s. This architectural style emphasized geometric forms, long horizontal lines and nautical elements, which were typical of later Art Deco details. The subtle horizontal band of pink textured concrete running across the breadth of Central Market, in which bands or columns of contrasting materials are used to create a sense of line or division. Furthermore, the use of geometric motifs can be seen from the interlocking rings on each of its entrance.
Concrete flagpoles were a common feature of Art Deco building. In the case of Central Market, the flagpole remains a purely decorative item, endorsing Art Deco architecture as architecture of ornament. Shanghai plaster which could be sculpted according to Art Deco motifs was also used in this building to create a stone-liked finish as it is relatively cheaper than real stone.
Besides, the Central Market are also the first energy efficient building in Kuala Lumpur and probably the earliest building that has used the heat resistance glass on such extent in Malaya.
Piping system and office were located near the main entrance so that it can be easily accessible. Beef and pork stalls were separated far apart to accommodate Muslims and non-Muslims. Fish stalls were located at the empty spaces near the side exit of the wet market for sanitation purpose. Storing and sorting eggs was located just right after the fish area. To the right side of egg storage, poultry stalls were placed to produce eggs and also selling of chicken and ducks. At the end of wet market was the spring food area while fruits and vegetables stalls located along two sideway of the main lane.
2.2 Doors and windows
The doors and windows in Central market is entirely made up of the blue and green Carolex glass and are installed with the metal grills. The door is using the elements and ideas of ziggurat and geometry.
Meanwhile its recessed main entrance is said to create the illusion of a passageway to a stage set. Symmetrical receding abstract planes and aerodynamic streamlining are typical of later Art Deco details. As the subtle horizontal band of pink textured concrete running across the breadth of Central Market, it is also the characteristic of one of the techniques used in Art Deco, in which bands or columns of contrasting materials are used to create a sense of line or division.
The contrasting bands and the Calorex glass
2.3 Wall and Floor
The main structures, which are the walls and floor are made up of reinforced concrete with raft foundation and bored piling are used at the left hand side of the building from the front entrance.
Central Market’s walls have been fully made up from timber since British Government has built the existing building in 1888 until the construction of new Central Market in 1936 where all peripheral wall is made up from 4 inches brickwork and remained until today. However, the shop’s walls in the cluster are excluded from previous statement as the shop’s owners have been given permission to design their shops. In 1986, natural ventilation louvers under the parapet wall were sealed with Carolex tinted glass as it use fully mechanical ventilation afterwards.
The floor is originally finished with concrete tiles. After 1986, the tiles were replaced with the ceramic tiles and terracotta tiles.
Different tiles used inside the building as a finishing.
2.4 Roof
The roofs of Central Market are designed to take another floor. There are basically three types of roofs, the flat roof, barrel vault roof and the skylight glazed roof. The skylight glazed roof provides sufficient lights penetration into the building and act as a good energy saver.
3. Comparative study of Central Market and Borough Market, London
For the purpose of further study about Central Market, we have found another similar building type that was built around the same period of time, which is 1851 so that we can compare their characteristics. We had selected the Borough Market which is located at London as a source of comparison to Central Market. Borough Market had undergone few expansions and an entrance with art deco architectural style was built in 1932 and most of the characteristic are similar with Central Market.
From the aspect of opening and ventilation, Central Market has many large windows, therefore ventilation carry out vigorously. It allows the building to carry out high air change rate to transfer the heat and smells out of the building. While Borough Market seldom have opening and ventilation due to the local climate is cooler. They need a lower air change rate so that it will not be too cold inside the building.
In the aspect of material, Central Market used Calorex glass which commonly used to filter the sunlight and heat from totally penetrating into the building to keep the temperature in the building comfortable. While Borough Market used common glass which allows most sunlight and heat to penetrate into the building.
4.Conclusion
Central Market is a successful example of adaptive reuse of historical building. The increasing public awareness on heritage issues, suitable economic condition and political supports are the main reason of the realization of Central Market.
The successful of adaptive reuse of Central Market had given an opportunity for those other similar types of buildings in old town to go through a new lease of life while the building’s historical ambience is protected.
Thus, we hope that the conservation of historical buildings can be a positive urban planning tool in development instead of demolished the building and create a new one so that the heritage and historical value of the building itself will not disappear and been forgotten by our future generations.
References
1. Mohd
Qisti (2009) Full Report FInal Central Market Conservation Study,
retrieved on 18June 2013,
fromhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/11956876/Full-Report-Final-CENTRAL-MARKET-CONSERVATION-STUDY
2. Zain
Abdullah (2012, November 25) , Heritage Building of Kuala Lumpur,
Central Market,Retrieved
fromhttp://zainabdullah.wordpress.com/2012/11/25/heritage-building-of-kuala-lumpur-central-market/
3. Centre
of Malaysian for Culture, Heritage, Art & Craft. Central Market
Kuala Lumpur. 10 June 2013
[http://www.centralmarket.com.my/history.php]
4. Historic
Styles/ Art Deco Style. Wentworthstudio.com. Retrieved on 16June 2013
from [http://www.wentworthstudio.com/historic-styles/art-deco]
