Kuala Lumpur Architectural Gems

Malaysian architectural styles have been influenced by its history, climate, and culture. Although traces of Portuguese and Dutch architecture are rare except in Malacca, British colonial architecture with its pedestals, columns, and porticoes can still be seen in former administrative centers such as Georgetown, Taiping, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Klang, and Kuching.

The British also introduced Neo-Moorish styles to the country, of which the old Kuala Lumpur railway station is the best example. However, after independence, the tendency for Malaysian architects has been to fuse cultural elements with modern construction techniques, often with striking original effects. These architectural masterpieces have given the country’s major cities a new character and identity.

Kuala Lumpur, being the hub of the nation, has a skyline that is dotted with an amazing collection of skyscrapers that are eclectic in design. The pioneer in fusing modern elements with Islamic elements was Hijas Kasturi, who designed the Tabung Haji building which is located on Jalan Tun Razak. The building is the headquarters of the Pilgrims Board Management Fund, which manages the financing of the pilgrimage of Malaysian Muslims to Mecca. The five white columns of the structure are reminiscent of the principles of Islam, and its hourglass shape is truly unique. Kasturi daughters also designed the Menara Maybank which casts its shadow over Jalan Tun Perak. Consisting of 50 floors, it shows the theme of verticality and there is no space from floor to floor.

On Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, the Dayabumi Complex is another manifestation of the intertwining of Islamic and modern design elements. Datuk Architecture Nik Mohammed has created a white fretwork façade based on Islamic patterns that is complemented by pointed arched doorways. At night, the Dayabumi Complex is bathed in light and exudes a true Malay architectural identity.

Cultural motifs have also been sources of inspiration, and on Jalan Razak, near Lake Titiwangsa, there are a trio of striking buildings worth gazing at. They are the National Library, the National Gallery of Art and the Istana Budaya (National Theatre).

The National Library consists of three low-rise blocks covered with blue roofs resembling the “tengkolok”, the traditional Malay headdress. Roofs in the form of “tengkolok” unite around an open-air amphitheater courtyard to symbolize the unity of the country, as well as the three goals of the National Library; that is, provide education, satisfy the search for knowledge and promote the habit of reading. They also reflect the harmony of the three main races (Malay, Chinese and Indian) in the country.

Within the vaults that make up the atrium, there are immense spaces of vertical space. The skylight provides a contrast with the roof and a feeling of unlimited space. The boundless space environment ignites the intellectual faculties of the visitors when they enter the lobby. The blue slates on the ceiling in three shades allow the creation of songket fabric motifs.

The Istana Budaya (or National Theatre) is the guardian of the nation’s culture. Architect Muhammad Kamaar Ya’akub has replicated the traditional design of a Malay house for the Istana Budaya. In a traditional Malay house, there is always a long covered terrace called a “serambi”. The next part is the “rumah ibu” (literally meaning “mother house”) which contains the main bedrooms, followed by the “dapur” (kitchen) in the final section of the house. At the Istana Budaya, the building’s lobby, auditorium and main stage correspond to “serambi”, “rumah ibu” and “dapur” respectively.

Outside the building, the stairway leading from the ground entrance is an oversized replica of a Malacca stairway. The grand entrance is based on the “balairiong seni” (palace hall) found in ancient Malay palaces. The roof of the building resembles “sirih junjung”, a flower arrangement of the leaves of the betel vine, which is used as a decoration in Malaysian weddings.

As the institution charged with conserving and promoting Malaysian art, the National Gallery of Art reflects its role through its unique building design. Located in an area of ​​13,500 square meters, the building integrates traditional Malay architecture with contemporary lines and resembles a kampung house with a gabled roof. Aluminum composite panels, mirrored tinted glass and stone including the materials used on its exterior. The main gallery on the ground floor is occupied by permanent exhibits. Four other galleries host exhibitions by local and foreign artists.

Kuala Lumpur’s most famous tower, the PETRONAS Twin Towers, has an excellent dose of Islamic design elements. It was created by Cesar Pelli & Associates, who used the geometry of two interlocking squares to create an eight-pointed star for the floor plates. On the eight-pointed star, semicircles were superimposed to soften the internal angles. The floor pattern of the grand entrance halls is reminiscent of “pandan” weaving (pandanus leaf weaving), while the “bertam” palm mat designs on the walls are reminiscent of the crafts of East Coast villages. In the huge empty areas above, stainless steel fixtures and screens seem to float on air.

Standing 421 meters tall atop Bukit Nanas, Menara Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur Tower) is the fourth tallest telecommunication tower in the world and the tallest in Southeast Asia. Kumpulan Senireka Sdn Bhd has combined Eastern architecture with Western technology to create an impressive tower that is one of the major tourist attractions in the city. The head of the tower contains a revolving restaurant and an observation deck. The soffit at the head of the tower is decorated with vertical ribbed structures on the outer layer on which an Islamic design is drawn. This design can only be seen from the pedestrian promenade.

The dome-shaped arches at each entrance on the upper floor are decorated with glass that lights up like giant diamonds as the surfaces are arranged according to the shape of traditional Islamic “Muqarnas”. This design from Esfahan, Iran, forms larger abrupt patterns at the bottom to symbolize the seven layers of heaven.

In the posh suburban Bukit Kiara district, the Securities and Exchange Commission Building and the National Science Center have a futuristic feel. The National Science Center resembles a truncated green cone covered with a geodesic dome. There are nine galleries that house more than a thousand interactive exhibits, including an elevated aquarium where visitors can get up close and personal with the inhabitants of the deep. Located in a lush valley directly across from the National Science Center, the Securities and Exchange Commission Building is built on the concept of transparency. Its glass exterior walls allow plenty of sunlight inside. a moat flows

The growing awareness of the importance of environmental protection among Malaysians has resulted in Menara Telekom being shaped by a bamboo shoot. With a height of 310 meters and 55 floors, it is classified as a six-star smart building by the Kuala Lumpur City Council and is distinguished by its sharp shape. Menara Telekom is conspicuously located along Federal Highway and Jalan Pantai Baru, and is served by the Kerinchi LRT commuter station.

Just as buildings reflect the dynamism and progress of a country, Kuala Lumpur’s aesthetically created buildings are indicators of the direction in which the nation is heading. At the same time, they make excellent backdrops for tourists posing for photographs.