DIPLOMA IN ARCHITECTURE

ACADEMIC YEAR 2020/2021

SEMESTER 2
ATBR 3011 EXPERIENCING ARCHITECTURE

PROGRAMME: DAR 2
LECTURER: ANSELM DASS A/L MATHALAMUTHU
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 4/DEC/2020
STUDENT NAME: JESSIE YEE GIA SEE
STUDENT ID: 19WVD03165
TABLE OF CONTENT
No Title Page
1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1 Preface 1
1.2 Kuala Lumpur 2-4

2.0 Sultan Abdul Samad Building

2.1 Introduction 5
2.2 Construction Details and Materials 6
2.3 Features 7

3.0 Sin Sze Si Ya Temple

3.1 Introduction 8-9
3.2 Construction Details and Materials 10 - 12
3.3 Features 13

4.0 Petaling Street, China Town

4.1 Introduction 14 - 15
4.2 Architecture style 16 - 17

5.0 Masjid Jamek

5.1 Introduction 18 - 19
5.2 Construction Details and Materials 20 - 24

6.0 St Mary’s Cathedral

6.1 Introduction 25 - 26
6.2 Construction and Materials 27 - 28

7.0 Conclusion 29

8.0 References 30
 1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1 Preface

This report is about information on the ATBR 3011 EXPERIENCING ARCHITECTURE

self-trip to the state that you stay on this semester 2 start on 22 nd October 2020. It is also a
more in-depth study of places we visited during the trip to further understand them.

The objective of this trip was able architecture students to experiencing to local heritage and
traditional architecture and let us learn more knowledge and the attention for architecture. For
this self-trip in the state that I stay in Kuala Lumpur was let us learn more about the design of
traditional architecture and also improve the awareness protection of the heritage that we
have from the past until now for the future generation.

Why it calls self-trip? Due to the covid-19 that we are facing now so that cause they we
should change from our previous plan that trip to Perak to self-trip in our staying state. So,
the place that I choose to go with is Kuala Lumpur.

During this trip, I took two days to observe about the area of Kuala Lumpur. I go trip with
three friends that they also my course mate, so that we can learn more knowledge and also
observed together to do work for more clearly.

Throughout this trip in Kuala Lumpur, we visited some local attractions. There are Petaling
Street, Chinatown and Dataran Merdeka. Even though live nearby here I also rarely visited,
so this is a chance for me to experience those attractions and also the architecture.

This is a experiential trip for me with my three course mate, even though we cannot go to the
trip from the original plan due to the covid-19 issues. But it is also a chance for us to know
more about the local attractions and the architecture that we have in the state that we are
staying.

Subsequent would be the details about the report on the places that we had visited through my
observation and self-opinion during this trip.

1
1.2 Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur officially the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and popularity referred to as
KL, is a federal territory and the capital city of Malaysia. It is the largest city in Malaysia
which have gleaming skyscrapers, colonial architecture, charming locals, and many natural
attractions. Divided into numerous districts, its main hub is called the Golden Triangle which
comprises Bukit Bintang, KLCC and Chinatown. KL is widely recognised for numerous
landmarks, including Petronas Twin Towers Street flea market, and Batu Caves.

Figure 1.2.1 Kuala Lumpur flag Figure1.2.2 DBKL Logo

Kuala Lumpur means "muddy confluence" in Malay; kuala is the point where two rivers join
together or an estuary, and lumpur means "mud".[15][16] One suggestion is that it was
named after Sungai Lumpur ("muddy river"); it was recorded in the 1820s that Sungei
Lumpoor was the most important tin-producing settlement up the Klang River.

The geography of Kuala Lumpur is characterised by the huge Klang Valley. The valley is
bordered by the Titiwangsa Mountains in the east, several minor ranges in the north and the
south and the Strait of Malacca in the west. Kuala Lumpur is a Malay term that translates to
"muddy confluence" as it is located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers.

Kuala Lumpur's 2020 population is now estimated at 7,996,830. In 1950, the population of
Kuala Lumpur was 261,528. Kuala Lumpur has grown by 1,145,399 since 2015, which
represents a 3.14% annual change. These population estimates and projections come from the
latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects. These estimates represent the Urban
agglomeration of Kuala Lumpur, which typically includes Kuala Lumpur's population in
addition to adjacent suburban areas.

Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding urban areas form the most industrialised and
economically, the fastest growing region in Malaysia. Despite the relocation of federal
government administration to Putrajaya, certain government institutions such as Bank Negara
Malaysia, Companies Commission of Malaysia and Securities Commission as well as most
embassies and diplomatic missions have remained in the city.
2

There are several styles of Architecture in Kuala Lumpur such as old colonial influences,
Asian traditions, Malay Islamic inspiration, Mixture of modern and postmodern architecture.
As a comparative young city with others Southeast Asian capital city as Bangkok, Jakarta,
Manila and others most of the significantly Kuala Lumpur colonial era buildings was built
when the end of the 19 century and the early 20 centuries. These buildings were built with the
architectural styles such as Mughal or Moorish Revival, Mock Tudor, Neo-Gothic or Grecian
Spanish architecture style. And most of the architecture style has been modified as local
resources and acclimatised to the local climate that the hot and humid weather within whole
year. Arthur Benison is who that designed several colonial era buildings at the early period
such as Kuala Lumpur Railway and Masjid Jamek.

Before the Second World War, most of the shophouses, generally two storey that functional
shops at the ground floor and residential spaces at the upstairs, it was built at the old city
centre. All these shophouses drew inspiration from Straits Chinese and European traditions.
Some of the shophouses have new developments but there also have many of them still
standing now at Old Market Square, Chinatown, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan
Doraisamy, Bukit Bintang and Tengkat Tong Shin areas.

After Independence with a rapid economic growth from 1970s to 1990s and being official
islam religion in this country, the construction of buildings would be more on local and
Islamic style around the city. Most of the buildings derived their architecture design with
traditional Malay items, for example and songkok, wau, keris and others. Also have buildings
that with Islamic geometric motifs integrated with the designs of the building, signifying
Islamic restriction on imitating nature through drawings. Examples such as Telekom Tower,
Maybank Tower, Dayabumi Complex, and the Islamic Centre. For the buildings as the
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia and National Planetarium have been built to masquerade as a
place of worship, complete with dome and minaret, when in fact it is a place of science and
knowledge. The 452-metre-tall Petronas Towers are the tallest twin buildings in the world
and the tallest buildings in the country. They were designed to resemble motifs found in
Islamic art.
 3

Late modern and postmodern architecture was appeared in the late-1990s and early-2000s.
With the economic development, old buildings such as Bok House have been razed to make
way for new ones. Buildings with all-glass shells exist throughout the city, with the most
prominent examples being the Petronas Towers and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Kuala

Lumpur central business area for nowadays has shifted around the Kuala Lumpur city centre
where many of new and tall buildings with modern and postmodern architecture fill the
skyline.

Figure 1.2.3
Kuala Lumpur
4
 2.0 Sultan Abdul Samad Building
2.1 Introduction
The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is a late-nineteenth century building that located along
Jalan Raja in front of the Dataran Merdeka and the Royal Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur.
The building originally housed the offices of the British colonial administration, and was
known as Government Offices in early years. In 1974 it was renamed by Sultan Abdul
Samad, the reigning sultan of Selangor at the time when construction began 20.

The government offices of the British colonial administration were originally located in the
Jalan Bukit Aman area on a hill overlooking the field that named Merdeka Square. However,
because of the need for more office space and complained from the public about the necessity
of going up and down the hill, the State Engineer of Selangor Public Works Department
Charles Edwin Spooner proposed the building of government offices lower down at the plain.
[1] The initial suggestion was rejected due to cost, but the British Resident of Selangor
William Edward Maxwell accepted a second proposal that cost less.

The eventually design of Sultan Abdul Samad Building was a reprocessing of a elementary
design by A.C. Norman, whose original vision was regarded as Classic Renaissance by head
engineer C.E. Spooner. Young architect R.A.J. Bidwell and newly appointed senior
draughtsman A.B. Hubback that redesigned the plan to incorporate more Moorish features,
creating the final, visually startling Neo-Mughal building that stands until these days.
 Figure 2.1.1 Sultan Abdul Samad Building 5

2.2 Construction and materials

Sultan Abdul Samad Building were used four million bricks, fifty tons of steel and iron, and
three thousand cubic feet of timber for creating the two-storey F-shaped building, which had
to be reinforced in certain areas because of built on a river bank. For the grand opening
ceremony ball, the building was the first to be illuminated by electricity and exterior gas
lights in the city. This delicate act is echoed in the modern practice of illuminating the
building with L.E.D lighting.

Also, for the topped with copper-clad onion domes, Sultan Abdul Samad was the first public
building that have many of similarly designed throughout British India design. The Islamic
aesthetics suited the Malay State Government offices. Then this building was renamed by the
reigning Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Abdul Samad from the previously titled Government
Offices.

Figure 2.2.1 copper-clad onion domes

The red bricks, white arches and banding popularized the ‘blood and bandages’ style. The use
of various types of arch helped ventilate the large building in humid tropical weather. Three
towers line its outer straight wall, two circle staircase towers at each end, and a 41 m (135 ft)
tall clock tower in the middle, with a bell replicating London’s Big Ben.
 Figure 2.2.2 41m high clock tower 6
2.3 Features
The features of Sultan Abdul Samad Building are topped by a shiny copper dome and a 41m
high clock tower, so that it is a mainly landmark in the city of Kuala Lumpur at Jalan Raja.
The clock tower houses a one-ton bell clock that strikes on the hour and half-hour.

For the others 95-metre flagpole, one of the tallest in the world, marks that spot with a flat,
round black marble plaque. It is located at the southern end of the Merdeka Square in front of
the building.

The building serves as the backdrop for important events such as the National Day Parade on
31 August and the ushering in of the New Year. Each of the 13 states plus the Federal
Territories are represented in the National Day Parade, as are the many ethnic groups that
comprise multiracial Malaysia.

Behind the Sultan Abdul Samad Building flows the Klang River and Gombak River's, they
also named the river with the name of River of life, confluence and in the middle of these two
rivers meet stands the Masjid Jamek, a mosque that designed with the similar architectural
style as Sultan Abdul Samad Building.
 7

3.0 Sin Sze Si Ya Temple

3.1 Introduction
Figure 3.1.1 gate of Sin Sze Si Ya Temple

Sin Sze Ya Temple was built in 1864 by Capitan Yap Ah Loy, this temple referred as the
oldest Taoist temple in Kuala Lumpur. Sin Sze Si Ya Temple is an object and place of
religion and also as a symbolistic monument of the historical fights for Chinese.

Figure 3.1.2 Captain Yap Ah Loy

In year 1859, there were two Seremban emirates who in fight against each of them because of
mining and tax revenue. Chinese then followed Malay landlords and there were divided into
two organizations, Gheen Hin and Hai San. At the same time, the captain under the Chinese
Capitan Shing Kap, name Liu Ngim Kong and he recommended Yap Ah Loy as a person
who is brave, resourceful and qualified to play a role in the fight as a vice-captain.
8

Continue to the year 1860, the war broke out and misfortune, Capitan Shing Kap’s force was
defeated and he was decapitation after captured by the Malay forces. Capitan Shing Kap dead
was uncommonly, when his head was chopped off there was white blood flowing form his
neck. The Malay belief that it is a showing sign that a person is a saint if there is white blood
flowing from a dead person. After the Malays has testimony such phenomena, they entreated
for forgiveness and allowed Chinese to retrieve his body for burial.

When this news has been spread out and it became a myth. They said that Capitan Shing Kap
was a very kind person and had a heart of Buddha, after he was dead, he took a place as one
of the Gods. So, a temple was built in his honour to worship and memorial him. In year 1861,
Yap Ah Loy has become Shing Kap’s successor Capitan in Seremban.

While from Shing Kap, there was another hero name Sze Si Ya a person of commander in
chief during Selangor civil war. Sze Si Ya admired Yap Ah Loy to followed him to the war.
He was won a lot of war before but this time he was killed by the battlefields. To memorial
him, Yap Ah Loy has built a temple and name it as Sin Sze Si Ya Temple, as a combination
Shing Kap and Sze Si Ya.

Sin Sze Si Ya Temple is a part of history in Kuala Lumpur. For the Chinese community, this
temple is a clear proof of contribution to the Chinese. Sin Sze Si Ya Temple possess a
specific value for local Chinese to represent the hard work of ancestors who came to this land
and the city of Kuala Lumpur. Which they indirectly formed a starting point for current
Chinese who are resident this land.

Figure 3.1.3 Sin Sze Si Ya Temple

9
、3.2 Construction and Materials
Ancient Chinese wooden architecture was used to built Sin Sze Si Ya Temple. There are
some materiality elements such as timber frame and the decorative roof that can be found in
this temple. The Principles of Chinese wooden architecture are the load bearing timber frame
and connection of interlocking wooden supports formed the framework of the temple.

Figure 3.2.1 main hall wooden beam and column

Sin Sze Si Ya Temple, there are many different construction features that refers to Chinese
architecture such as massive column and beam that support the building. The exterior was
mostly used of brick and stone work, other than that for the counterparts was mostly made of
wood. They used skylight for the opening. Also, roofs were made of glazed ceramic tiles and
overhanging cave that difference by a graceful upward slope. Then for the roof arch are
comes with the fitted rafters and they jointed together the ridge of each roof are topped with
mythical creatures’ figures and each are curve. The roof tiles run horizontally and vertical
round ridges that run vertically.
 Figure 3.2.2 Skylight of the main hall 10

The roof construction was used with the elements of timber. It mainly consists with
horizontal girders to support the vertical posts. For the bracket was used with the traditional
technology that called Dougong, its is a cap and block bracket system from the Chinese
architecture.

About the column details was used with the installation of Pingban Fang (perimeter girders)
for the external column connect. To connection with roof was used with the element as Ying
Ding.

Figure 3.2.3 Dougong

Sin Sze Si Ya Temple is mostly constructed with bricks. Bricks have the thermal mass as can
helps the building control the temperature by storing cool and heat air. It can provide a
cooling effect especially when tropical climate. When in a high humidity climate, bricks can
easily to absorb humidity as the surface have more diffusion-open than other materials.

Figure 3.2.4 Bricks structure

They use tile for flooring, tile is suitable for use when tropical climate because high thermal
mass. Sin Sze Si Ya Temple’s flooring use tile can be storing the energy of absorbed from
sun heat and release it.
 Figure 3.2.5 tile flooring
11

To use in this tropical climate for tiles roofing is the overlapping clay tiles used in this steep
sloped roof of Sin Sze Si Ya Temple to prevent the high solar reflection. The tiles are glazed
so it can strengthen the solar reflection ability. When locate in moist place, cool roof surface
can be more sensitive to the growth of algae, and to prevent it.

Figure 3.2.6 tiles roofing

Other than that, when the tile roofing can minimize the heat and moisture prevent, timber
frame can be used due to the ability for heat up quick and retain the heat longer. So, with the
openings of the timber roof construction to allow air escape as ventilation.

Figure 3.2.7 timber frame

 12

3.3 Features

Sin Sze Si Ya Temple features architectural bilateral symmetry, bilateral symmetry is one of
the elements of Chinese architecture. The temple focus on articulation and bilateral
symmetry. It can be seen from the plan and the elevation of the temple. The column in this
temple are in even number and to produce odd number of bays.

Sin Sze Si Ya Temple display multiple informal codes of Feng Shui, the architecture of this
temple influences the culture of the occupants and to fulfils the balance of Yin Yang to create
a harmonious area. Before, this temple was built with open space, but due to the development
of the area, this temple was placed by the various buildings. So that it causes poison arrow to
the temple, poison arrows are the edge of the surrounding buildings pointed at the temple.
They need Feng Shui to prevent the bad luck for the temple.

Figure 3.3.1 poison point of Fengshui Figure 3.3.2 symbolic ornamentation

For a temple, mostly having symbolic ornamentation on the buildings. A powerful Feng Shui
features is having personalized main door that has a small roof to symbolize protection. The
door of Sin Sze Si Ya Temple is open inward to welcome Chi and create positive flow of Chi
to come in the temple. The door is personalized painted with a pair of gate guardians with
glaring eyes and fierce face, powerful presence, muscular body and threatening pose with a
weapon. The gate guardians serve ward off the evil spirits and show their power to protecting
the temple.
13
 4.0 Petaling Street, China Town
4.1 Introduction

Petaling Street as known as Kuala Lumpur’s famous Chinatown, also known in Cantonese as
Chee Cheong Kai. It be recognised as a place for the trading of counterfeit goods, hawker
food, hand bags and clothing.

Figure 4.1.1 Entrance of Petaling Street, Chinatown

Petaling Street is Malaysia's Chinatown, a place where early settlers came to Kuala Lumpur
in pursuit of wealth from the booming tin mining industry in the 1800s. Most of the settlers
were Hakka and Cantonese, and led a steady migration of Chinese communities into the city.

The history about at Petaling Street, Chinatown. In the past, Communities were under control
of clan heads as known as Captain. He was Malaysia most famous captain as known as
Captain Yap Ah Loy, the Hakka Community who played a central role in Kuala Lumpur.

Chinatown origin was located on market square and along Jalan Tun H.S Lee, also known as
High Street because of higher grounds. This district became a popular place for deposition
because of less prone to floods.

14
The disagreement between Hakka and Cantonese clans causing a civil war breaking out in
1870 over the control of tin and related trade. Also, this fight causse it halted tin mine
production altogether. So that the British administration was forced to intervene, and this is
their first such involvement in local politics.

The civil war causing the destruction of many buildings to deserted several miners. When
miners could not work in flooded mines, Captain Yap Ah Loy persuade them to remain in
Kuala Lumpur

When miners couldn't work in flooded mines, Yap Ah Loy convinced them to remain in
Kuala Lumpur to continue their skills in agricultural sector with a fresh start. Yap Ah Loy
also set up tapioca mill in the area to ground tubers from his farms, and named it Chee
Cheong Kai with meaning of starch factory street.

Figure 4.1.2 Petaling Street, Chinatown

15
 4.2 Architectural styles

Petaling Street is also known as “Chi Cheong Kai” among the locals. The expressive of
Chinese characters which as the words “Chi Cheong Kai” on the entrance gate above. The
entrance of Petaling Street, China is a work of architecture applying traditional Chinese
architectural styles.

The entrance of it is decorated with inclined roof with painted golden tiles, before was used
with jade green tiles, applied with painted red wooden beams with Golden Chinese character
cravings on it. This type of gate or entrance typically found in Chinatown in many places or
especially in China architecture. Therefore, it generates an important influence and make
people easier to recognize Chinatown in first attention.

Figure 4.2.1 Entrance of Chi Cheong Kai

Other than that, another type of architectural that can be found at Petaling Street is the Art
Deco style that is influential during 1920s. The Art Deco style as known as a quickly
architectural style of combination traditional craft motifs together with Machine age imagery
and materials. It includes rich colours, bold geometric shapes and luxurious ornamentation is
frequently related with the Art Deco style. For the example that used Art Deco style is the
Popular book store at Petaling Street. This type of architectural style it might usually brought
by British during their occupation in Malaysia. The book store is actually made of masonry
concrete blocks that painted in bright and bold colours such as yellow, blue and beige. The
space between two levels of window panels and also with complex decorated with squarish
details. The window panels of the bookstore also had rectangular frames designed neatly with
classy manner.
 16

Figure 4.2.2 Popular book store at Petaling Street.

Lastly, the main architectural style that can be found in Petaling street are The Nyonya and
Baba style. The Nyonya and Baba is the style that very common in Malaysia architecture. It
is easy to found buildings or shop houses that using this kind of style in Malacca, Ipoh,
Penang and some of the places in Kuala Lumpur. The Nyonya and Baba architectural style
include of stretched rectangular floor plan, basically two storeys high with a remarkable five-
foot walkway as launched by the British in 1800s. The exterior design usually had three
windows panels with complex decorated and above the main door of building can found a
traditional Chinese signboard hosting the surname of the family or the name for the shop.
Figure 4.2.3 Shophouse of Petaling Street

17
5.0 Masjid Jamek
5.1 Introduction

Masjid Jamek is the oldest mosque that located in Kuala Lumpur, and it is located ate where
both of the rivers Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak meet.

Masjid Jamek was built in 1907 and it officially opened by Sultan of Selangor on 23 rd
December in year 1909.

Figure 5.1.1 Masjid Jamek

Masjid Jamek is a place that have important history in Kuala Lumpur, when the past of Kuala
Lumpur built their huts. In 1850s, early mineral miners would unload here for their
equipment and terms. And they would be trekking jungle path to Ampang, the place that they
would go for mining tin.

Masjid Jamek was the main mosque of Kuala Lumpur before the National Mosque was built
in 1965 that near the Kuala Lumpur main railway station. Masjid Jamek was designed by an
architectural assistant in Public Works and Survey Department, Arthur Benison Hubback. He
was built it with the inspired by Mogul architecture of India.

The cost of Masjid Jamek is RM32,625 and the money raised by the subscription from
Malaysian community and the Government funds.
 18

There are palm tree and it located on the banks of the Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak to
provide a serene setting that supplements the Masjid Jamek elaborate domed tower. There are
three domes that circumference the prayer hall, for the central dome is about 21.3-meter-high
and is bilateral by another two lower domes. For the biggest dome at the centre was fall apart
in 1990s and it built back after. There are having tow red and white in colour stripped
minarets at the corner of Masjid Jamek.

The two red and white in colour striped minarets that placed at the corner are about 26.8mm
high and exactly design with Chhatris, that with umbrella shaped cupolas, usually for domed
and open sided on the top. There are number of small chhatris on the top of entrances and the
corner of Masjid Jamek.
19
 5.2 Construction Details and Materials
Masjid Jamek is applied with Indo-Saracenic Architectural style. Indo-Saracenic
Architectural style was movement by British architect in the late 19 centuries. It was
introduced and adopted by C.E. Spooner and A.B. Hubback.

Figure 5.2.1 C.E. Spooner and A.B. Hubback.

The striking red brick and marble building is inspired by the architectural style as known as
Mogul or North Indian Islamic architecture.

Figure 5.2.2 striking red brick and marble building

The red brick that applied for mosque are use to keep the mosque cool during the day-time
and warm while night time. Brick also equipped with natural and infinite delightful colour
and burnt clay.
 Figure 5.2.3 Red Brick 20

Other than that, marble that applied in mosque is for its classy appearance and it also a long-
lasting material for use. Marble also kind of stone that durable and it is hard stone.

Figure 5.2.4 Marble flooring Figure 5.2.5 prayer hall

The prayer hall is empty and without any furniture to allow myriad worshippers as feasible in
a single session prayer especially on Friday afternoon.

The Moorish Minaret. The pattern of red and white in colour minarets that formed with brick
and plaster are described as blood and bandage.

Figure 5.2.6 Moorish Minaret

The Islamic pattern fountain adding the mosque with the serene atmosphere. Therefore, also
as a cooling effect for the mosque.
 Figure 5.2.7 Islamic pattern fountain

21

Bulbous or Onion shaped dome. The central dome is about 21.3metre height and bilateral
with two lower domes. The prayer hall is located underneath the central dome which opens
out onto a walled sahn also known as courtyard at the back.

Figure 5.2.8 Bulbous or Onion shaped dome

Chattri. Bilateral the four corners of the bulbous dome with an octangular base with small
arches on each eight sides.

Figure 5.2.9 Chattri

 22

Mihrab. The direction of Mecca is called qibla, the mihrab is known as mihrab wall. The
location of mihrab instructed the direction of Mecca.

Figure 5.2.10 Mihrab

Jharokha Screen Windows. Enrolled the Moorish arch in the window that related to the latter
as harem window.

Figure 5.2.11 Jharokha Screen Windows.

Pinnacles or Spires. Narrow spires are typical Moorish architectural style.

 Figure 5.2.12 Pinnacles or Spires

23

Horseshoe arches. Also known as pre-Islamic Syria and as known as a symbol of sainthood
and holiness.

Figure 5.2.13 Horseshoe arches

In Masjid Jamek the huge parasols that applied at its courtyard is a modern intervention that
welfare for public by providing shading from heat and the approach has been adopted by the
Muslim world mosque and does not contrast hugely with innovative design of the mosque.

Figure 5.2.14 huge parasols

The stairs are original carved steps of the mosque at the rivers that confluence is reinforced
with barrier walls to avoid the soil erosion from the river present on damaging the structure of
the mosque.
 Figure 5.2.15 Stair outside Masjid Jamek 24

6.0 St Mary's Cathedral Kuala Lumpur

6.1 Introduction
The original of St Mary’s Cathedral was dedicated by the Bishop of Singapore, Labuan and
Sarawak, Rt Rev George Frederick Hose on 13 February 1887. The original church was built
with simple wooden located on Bluff Road on top of the hill that as known as Bukit Aman,
that the place where Royal Malaysian Police is located now. The wooden church that cost
with RM1363 to build contain 95 people with full capacity. It is a centre to served worship
and spiritual life for small group of Anglicans that in Kuala Lumpur when the past.

Figure 6.1.1 St Mary’s Cathedral

In 1893, they made a decision to upright a new building to house growing congregation and
found a new site beside the Padang or Parade Ground, now known as Dataran Merdeka of the
Selangor Club within the north side by the Sungai Gombak. The foundation was laid on 3 rd
February 1894 by Sir W.H. Treacher, the British Resident of the Selangor in a ceremony
officiated by Bishop G.F. Hose the British Resident who armed with silver trowel, laid the
foundation stone of the St Mary’s: ‘In the Faith of Jesus Christ and in the Name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Ghost.

On 9 February 1895, the first brick church has been up righted in the native States of the
Malay Peninsula was also dedicated by Bishop G.F Hose in the present of a large and iconic
congregation included Rev H.W. Haines, Archdeacon Henham and Mr A.R. Venning. The
pipe organ was installed in the church when built in 1895 by the famous English organ
maker, Henry Willis, he also the one who made organ for St Paul’s Cathedral in London and
also Royal Albert Hall for the original Grand organ.
25

In year 1958, the back of the main Church was extended to accommodate a hall called the
Jubilee Hall.

When 28 April 1968, the double storey foundation stone annexe laid by Rev Canon Paul G.T.
Samuel. The annexe consists an upper room, chapel room for administration and office for
Vicar. Other than that, there are having utility room, kitchen and living quarters for the family
of Verger. It was replaced the old wooden Parish Hall on stilts was dedicated by Bishop of
Singapore and Malaya, Rt Rev Chiu Ban It on 5 February 1969.

On 8 September 1983, the Bishop of West Malaysia, the Rt Rev Tan Sri J.G. Savarimuthu
proclaimed from St Mary’s Church to the Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin.

Figure 5.1.2 St Mary’s Cathedral

During 2006 and 2007, the building has taken some renovations. There are a new
multipurpose hall and the existing Jubilee Hall was incorporated into the back half of the
Main Cathedral. Also, added offices and meeting rooms on it.

In 2012, the sound proofing was carried out to insulate the Main Cathedral from the noise
that in Dataran Merdeka. During 2014, Major of maintenance and reinstallation work for the
historic pipe organ. Furthermore, the multipurpose Hall also expanded and created more
meeting room in 2015 as well.
For the current St Mary’s still stands in its strategic location with the most historical and
charming section of the nation’s capital.

26

6.2 Construction and Material

The St Mary’s Cathedral consists of 87 feet long by 28 feet wide and a chancel with 29 feet
long by 22 feet wide and with an octagonal end also together with vestry and organ chamber.
Other than that, the nave can be accommodate congregation about 180 people and chancel, 20
of choir.

Figure 6.2.1 Main hall of St Mary’s Cathedral

In 1958, the back of the main sanctuary was extended to accommodate a hall called the
Jubilee hall. Currently extension work is under way to add a new building to the complex.

St. Mary Cathedral design with the architectural style of Early English Gothic Style, that
exhibits in the external buttresses. For the wind bracing support of the roof are from the
interior of the church and it can represent the early Gothic decoration, that the style was used
for stabilisation the roof and gables to guarantee the rafters maintain in place when strong
winds come. Other than that, for the Stained-glass windows depict saints and biblical figures,
as well as Christian stories in architecture.
 Figure 6.2.2 Stained-glass windows Figure 6.2.3 Windows

27

Furthermore, St. Mary's Cathedral also uses a Latin cross plan, which the shape creates a long
nave. After passing many years, St. Mary's Cathedral has been upgraded and done with some
renovations. The structure of the cathedral is built mainly with bricks and the roof structure
are wood.

Figure 6.2.4 Wooden roof Figure 6.2.5 interior of wooden roof

28
 7.0 Conclusion

For this self-trip at our staying state in Kuala Lumpur, it was big way different from the trip
that we have been went before when year 1. Before we were having study trip together with
the whole class and lecture but now, we need to trip by ourself due to the covid-19 that
everyone is suffering right now that make us cannot go trip from the earliest plan Southeast
Asia to the Perak trip until now self-trip. But this is a good chance for me to more understand
the history and the architecture of Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur is a capital city in Malaysia that having many types of architecture style of
buildings. There are many skyscrapers locates at Kuala Lumpur, but there are still have many
traditional heritages standing until now that has been built in the past. In this trip, I found out
that there are still many places I haven’t really been there before even though I’m living here
for so long time.

From this Kuala Lumpur trip I observe a lot of differences compare to before that I look
through it. Many places and many buildings have changed and keep up with the development.
But also have some places and buildings have been destroyed or not be protected with a good
condition. In my opinion, Kuala Lumpur is such a bustling city and also a attractions for
tourism, there are still many things need to be improve to make public and tourism have
better impact and memories.

Lastly, from this trip I learn to observe the architecture that we have in Kuala Lumpur, the
history, traditional, culture and heritage that having here need to be develop in good
conditions for the future. Do not stop and getting better.

29
 8.0 References

1. Kuala Lumpur

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuala_Lumpur
https://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/kuala-lumpur-population

2. Sultan Abdul Samad Building

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Abdul_Samad_Building
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/malaysia/articles/a-history-of-the-sultan-abdul-samad-
building-in-60-seconds/

3. Sin Sze Si Ya Temple

https://www.slideshare.net/Wyyee95/sin-sze-si-ya-temple-report

4. Petaling Street, China Town

https://petalingstreetwarriors2012.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/petaling-street-architecture/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petaling_Street

5. Masjid Jamek
https://issuu.com/zhikangyong/docs/architecture_conservation_-_masjid_jamek

6. St Mary's Cathedral Kuala Lumpur

https://stmaryscathedral.org.my/about-us/history/
https://www.malaysia-traveller.com/cathedral-of-st-mary-kuala-lumpur.html

30