culture & history ii - dewan tunku canselor

Dewan Tunku CanselorMalaysia

DEWAN TUNKU CANSELOR

E JY HUEYESTHER LIM

FELICIA TIONGNG WAN ZEW

SEAN WEE

TAYLORS UNIVERSITY LAKESIDE CAMPUSSchool of Architecture, Building and DesignBachelor of Science (Hons) in Architecture

Architecture Culture and History 2 [ ARC60203 ]

@NOVEMBER 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS1.0 INTRODUCTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.1 Location -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.2 Fast facts of the buldings -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.3 About the architect --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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2.0 ARCHITECTURAL STYLE --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1 Characteristics ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2.2 Rise of Brutalist Architecture -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.3 Fall of Brutalist Architecture ---------------------------------------------------------------------

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3.0 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS ANALYSIS ----------------------------------- 3.1 Building Constuction 3.1.1 Concrete waffle slab ceiling ---------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1.2 Precast concrete ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1.3 Béton brut ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1.4 Formwork ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1.5 Spiral staircase ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1.6 The restoration of Dewan Tunku Canselor ----------------------------------------------- 3.2 Building Materials 3.2.1 Concrete --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.2.2 Glass ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.2.3 Timber ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.2.4 Steel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.2.5 Tiles --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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4.0 ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENT ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.1 Landscape ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.2 Decorative elements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.3 Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.4 Shading -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.5 Doors --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.6 Windows ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.7 Stairs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.8 Walls ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.8 Roof ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.10 Floor ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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5.0 CONCLUSION ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5.1 Summary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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6.0 REFERENCES ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6.1 References ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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1.1 LOCATION

Figure 1.1: The location of Dewan Tunku Canselor.

Shows the location of Dewan Tunku Canselor

Dewan Tunku Canselor is located in University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. It is one of the oldest buildings in Malaysia.

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Dewan Tunku Canselor | University Malaya 2

1.2 FAST FACTS OF THE BUILDINGIN

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Dewan Tunku Canselor | University Malaya

• Dewan Tunku Canselor was commenced by our first Prime Minister of Malaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj, who was also the current university’s chancellor at that time.• This brutalist influenced building was designed by Dato’ Kington Loo of BEP architect.• Dewan Tunku Canselor has a maximum capacity of 6000 people.• Dewan Tunku Canselor is used for certain functions like assemblies and events like convocations.• Until today, Dewan Tunku Canselor is one of the most known land mark of University of Malaya.• The first convocation conducted in Dewan Tunku Canselor was in 1966, with 587 degree, master and doctorate reciepents as well as 115 Diploma in Education holders.• Dewan Tunku Canselor was burnt down on 29th June 2001.• The damage caused by the fire is an estimation of 12million Malaysian Ringgit (3.6million US Dollars).• Reconstruction and rehabilitation of Dewan Tunku Canselor started in August 2001.• Reconstruction and rehabilitation of Dewan Tunku Canselor was completed in August 2002.• The entire cost of reconstruction and rehabilitation of Dewan Tunku Canselor totalled up to 13.8million Malaysian Ringgit (4.14million US Dollars).• Dewan Tunku Canselor was officially launched for the second time by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister on 20th August 2002.

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1.3 ABOUT THE ARCHITECTEarly Life

Datuk Kington Loo, born October 17th, 1930, is one of the most renowned and respected architects in Malaysia. He was among the first generation of architects following the country’s independence, as well as one of the pioneers of modernist architecture in South East Asia Loo’s parents came from rather well known backgrounds, where his mother, Loke Soh June, was a famous piano player and the sixth daughter of a millionaire businessman; and his father, Yuson Loo – a mechanical engineer who has worked with the US Army, was the grandson of Loke Yew – a prominent businessman. Although Loo came from a privileged family, he endured quite a difficult life during his early years. He moved around a lot due to the occupation of the Japanese army in Malaya in 1942. “When the family moved to Delhi, Loo was exposed to the harsh realities of life when he witnessed death and starvation during the great famine of 1945.” (The Star Online, 2003). They finally returned to Kuala Lumpur after the war ended.

Loo had displayed “a flair for graphic expression” ever since he was three years old, where he would doodle on strips of toilet paper. Even so, his desire to major in the field of architecture was frowned upon by his par-ents, not only because the profession was not popular in those days, but also because they could not afford to send him overseas (there were no architecture courses in Malaya at the time). However, Loo was “deter-mined to pursue what he felt was his natural inclination.” After finishing his studies at the Victoria Institution at the age of 17, Loo continued his studies at several other institutions before his great-grandmother, Mrs Loke Yew, agreed to finance his architectural studies at Melbourne University in Australia, where he excelled as a student. Upon graduation, Loo returned to Kuala Lumpur and joined Booty, Edwards & Partners (BEP), where he became a partner in the firm with several other Malaysians, and formed what is now known as BEP Akitek Sdn. Bhd..

Figure 1.2: Potrait of Datuk Kington Loo.

Source : http://www.viweb.freehost-ing.net/kington-loo.htm

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Loo was the first to win the PAM (Malaysia Institute of Architects) Gold Medal in 1998 and has designed numerous prominent buildings. Some of his works include the Subang International Airport, the Standard Chartered building in Kuala Lumpur, and of course, Dewan Tunku Canselor. He was also the first non-Cauca-sian to be elected as president of the FMSA (Federation of Malaya Society of Architects).Moreover, Loo is also known for his tireless efforts in wildlife and environmental conservation, where he was chairman of the Malaysian Zoological Society, as well as founding trustee of the World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWFM).

Loo is said to be a “man of principles and knew what he believed in”, and always emphasised three things – professionalism, integrity, and honesty. “He was prepared to help anyone who came to him and would never say a word about the help he gave.”

Figure 1.3: The Subang International Airport.

Figure 1.4: The Standard Chartered Building in Kuala Lumpur.

Source : http://wikimapia.org/68793/Menara-Stan-dard-Chartered

Source : http://www.kiat.net/klia/phases.html

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by E JY HUEY

Dewan Tunku Canselor is a fine example of the Brutalist style of the 1950s and 60s. It is one of the first structures in Malaysia under the influence of a figures of modern architecture, Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, who was concerned about the suitability of design and the use of appropriate building materials, without utilising any ornamentation on a building.

Source : http://oney-owns.blogspot.com/2010/12/composition.html

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BRUTALIST ARCHITECTURE

2.1 CHARACTERISTICS

Brutalism sprang from the highest humanitarian ideals, from a socialist ideology that propounded equality for all. It demonstrates something universal about the human spirit. Brutalist buildings are usually formed with striking repetitive angular geometries. Instead of being covered up with plaster and paint, Brutalist buildings use concrete, which is poured and retained in the finished product, in order to reveal the texture of the wooden forms used for the in-situ casting. However, not all Brutalist buildings use concrete as the exterior material as it may belong to any one of a range of architectural styles such as Constructivism, International Style, Expressionism, Postmodernism, and econstructivism. As Brutalism makes a virtue out of cheap and ubiquitous building materials, some of the other building materials used in Brutalist buildings include brick, glass, steel, rough-hewn stone, and gabion. For example, many of Alison and Peter Smithson’s (Figure 2.1)private houses are built from brick as shown in Figure 2.2.

Source : http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m92zpx3MGU1qat99uo1_500.jpg

Source : http://www.npg.org.uk/collec-tions/search/portrait/mw72322/Ali-son-Smithson-Peter-Smithson

Figure 2.1: The portrait of Ali-son and Peter Smithson.

Figure 2.2: Smithson’s Upper Lawn Pavillion.

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The exposure of the building’s functions is the other common theme used in Brutalist designs. The exterior of the building ranges from their structure and services to their human use. For example, the strikingly different and projected portions of the Boston City Hall indicate the spatial nature of the rooms behind those walls. From another perspective, the design of the Hunstanton School included placing the facility’s water tank, normally a hidden service feature, in a prominent, visible tower. Other examples of Brutalist architecture in Malaysia are Dewan Sri Pinang and Bank Negara Malaysia Building, both located in Penang.

Brutalism as an architectural philosophy, rath-er than a style, was often associated with a socialist utopian ideology. It tended to be sup-ported by its designers, especially Alison and Peter Smithson, near the height of the style. There are many critics on Brutalist buildings. The critics argue that the abstract nature of Brutalism makes the style unfriendly and uncommunicative, instead of being integrating and protective. It is also criticized as disregarding the social, historic, and architectural environment of its surroundings, making the introduction of such structures in existing developed areas appear stark, out of place, and alien. The failure of positive communities to form early on in some Brutalist structures has led to the combined unpopularity of both the ideology and the architectural style.

Source : http://ericzhou.wordpress.com/2007/01/23/boston-city-hall/

Source : https://www.flickr.com/pho-tos/25831000@N08/3007464075/?rb=1

Source : http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/De-wan_Sri_Pinang

Source : http://www.penang-traveltips.com/modern-buildings.htm

Figure 2.3: Boston City Hall.

Figure 2.4: Hunstanton School.

Figure 2.5: Dewan Sri Pinang. Figure 2.6 : Bank Negara Ma-laysia Building.

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During the mid-twentieth century, Brutalism gained considerable momentum in the United Kingdom, as the communities who were facing economic depression were seeking for inexpensive construction and design methods for low-cost housing, shopping centres, and government buildings. Nonetheless, many architects chose the Brutalist style as they appreciated the “honesty”, sculptural qualities, uncompromising, anti-bourgeois nature of the Brutalist style even though they had large budgets. In 1950s, Swiss architect Le Corbusier, the

most influential, most admired and most criticised architect of the last century had been experimenting with ‘beton brut’, which meant raw concrete. This is where the term Brutalist was derived from. The pinnacle of his career came with the United Habitation in Marseilles constructed in 1952 and arguably the first Brutalist project.

British architects saw the success of Le Corbusier’s work. They started looking into the New Brutalism and the partnership of Peter and Alison Smithson, who de-signed the first notable Brutalist building in the United Kingdom: Hunstanton Secondary School. Enormous windows were a big feature of the school to let natu-ral light penetrate the classrooms but also had the ef-fect of heating the school up during the summer and freezing the pupils in winter.

Source : http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2009/aug/07/will-alsop-architec-ture

Source : http://blog.mid2mod.com/2013/02/alison-and-peter-smithson.html

Figure 2.8: Allison and Peter Smithson.

Figure 2.8: Le Corbusier.

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2.3 FALL OF BRUTALIST ARCHITECTURE

Brutalism turned all this on its head and was a revolution, where previously evolution had been the name of the game. With this revolution, problems in terms of theoretical design not translating well into practical living and working spaces became the main issue with Brutalism over the years. Le Corbusier’s designs on the continent were generally bathed in sunshine most of the year and didn’t have the British backdrop of continual grey skies and drizzle. It seemed concrete structures worked well where the weather was better, and unfortunately this did not take into account in the UK climate. The concrete used in construction was not as durable as it should have been and the structure started to look shabby fairly quickly.

Brutalist architecture was a relatively short-lived fashion but due to the large number of building projects going on at the time of its peak leaves a lasting legacy. In terms of architectural history Brutalism certainly has its place, but with a significant number of the original large projects either under threat or already demolished, the future of many of these buildings is unsure to say the least.

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by ESTHER LIM & NG WAN ZEW

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Tunku Canselor Hall (DTC) was designed with a strong influence of Brutalist Architecture and the Modernist Movement. The building was constructed mainly with bare concrete structure using Concrete Waffle Slab (egg-crate reinforced concrete) and “beton brut” images.

Photo Taken By : E Jy Huey

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3.1.1 Concrete Waffle Slab Ceiling

Figure 3.1: A reinforced concrete slab with equally spaced ribs parallel to the sides, hav-ing a waffle appearance from below.

Benefits of Waffle Slab- Flexible- Relatively light, less foundation costs and longer spans are economic- Speed of construction - Fairly slim floor depths- Robustness- Excellent vibration control- Thermal mass- Good for services integration- Durable finishes- Fire resistance

The Similarities with Modern Buildings in the West

Figure 3.2: Concrete waffle slab in D. B. Weldon Library.

Source : http://www.dictionaryofconstruction.com/images/construction/waf-fle-slab.png

Source: http://siuhongyu.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/wpid-20141002_151347_1.jpg?w=1200

Figure 3.3: Concrete waffle slab in Dewan Tunku Canselor (DTC)

It is easy to notice that the Dewan Tunku Canselor and D. B. Weldon Library have shared the concrete waffle slab ceiling - a renowned feature in modernist architecture.Although the former hall was completed in 1966 and the latter library was in 1972, both of their architecture style are Brutalism.

Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong

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3.1.2 Precast Concrete

Precast concrete, concrete cast into structural members under fac-tory conditions and then brought to the building site. A 20th-century development, precasting increases the strength and finish durability of the member and decreases time and construction costs. Concrete cures slowly; the design strength is usually reached 28 days after initial setting. Using precast concrete eliminates the lag between the time on-site con-crete is placed and the time it can carry loads. Precast concrete compo-nents include slabs, beams, columns, walls, stairways, modular boxes, and even kitchens and bathrooms with precast fixtures.


It is easy to notice that the Dewan Tunku Canselor and D. B. Weldon Library have shared the concrete waffle slab ceiling - a renowned feature in modernist architecture.Although the former hall was completed in 1966 and the latter library was in 1972, both of their architecture style are Brutalism.

Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong Photo Taken By : Felicia TiongFigure 3.4 Figure 3.5

Figure 3.4 shows the close up view of precast Concrete panel on Dewan Tunku Canselor.

Figure 3.5 shows the far away view of precast Concrete pan-el on Dewan Tunku Canselor.

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Source :http://u1.ipernity.com/17/66/49/9586649.793f5088.640.jpg?r2


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3.1.3 Béton brut

Concrete as it appears when the framework is removed, so that the concrete surface reflects the framework joints, wood grain, and fasteners around which it was poured; often deliberately retained for architectural effect.

It is a concept defined by Le Corbusier after World War II that speaks about a stronger dialogue between materials and artistic vision of his work, invented to designate his own particular use of exposed concrete.


Figure 3.6: Béton brut presented on Unité d’Habitation’ s hull, suspend-ed on pillars (1947-1952) located on in Marseille , France , designed by Le Corbusier.

Figure 3.7: Béton brut presented on Dewan Tunku Canselor.


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Source : http://downtowncreator.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/2529903660_9bf90480d3_b.jp-g?w=500&h=375


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3.1.4 Formwork

Formwork are moulds used to form concrete into structural shapes (beams, columns, slabs, shells) for building. Formwork can be of timber, steel, plastic, or fiberglass. The inside surface is coated with a bond breaker (plastic or oil) to keep the concrete from sticking to the moulds.

Hence, by altering the shape of the formwork, various kinds of concrete relief can be created.


Figure 3.9 shows concrete relief representing the University Badge of University Malaya, The acronym UM, and 4 hibiscus, which is the National Flower of Malaysia.

Figure 3.8 shows concrete relief designed by pioneer of Brutal-ism, Le Corbusier at the Unité d’Habitation in Firminy, France.


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Source : https://reinierdejong.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/unitemural.jpg?w=590&h=442


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3.1.5 Spiral Staircase

Staircase are used to connect between different levels of building. Building material of staircase can varies from wood, stone, marble, iron , steel or even reinforced concrete.

Concrete is the most widely used material in Brutalism Architecture. Dewan Tunku Canselor is heavily influenced by Brutalism. This can even be seen on the spiral staircase of the building.

Figure 3.10: The construction method of DTC’s staircase are cast insitu reinforced concrete stair-case. Fig 1 shows the example of timber formwork in construction of spiral staircase .


Figure 3.10: Spiral staircase in Villa Savoye, which is located in Poissy, Yvelines, France. Constructed from year 1929 to 1931, it is designed by Le Corbusier and it is considered one of his most notable work.

Figure 3.11: Spiral staircase with timber formwork in Dewan Tunku Canselor.

Photo Taken By : Sean Wee

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Source: http://nicaragua365.com/ImageHandler.ashx?Image-ID=9552&Size=Big

Source: https://adriantinniswood.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/449.jpg?w=225&h=300

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3.1.6 The Restoration of Dewan Tunku Canselor

Unfortunately on Friday, June 29th, 2001, a pre-dawn fire engulfed the building, destroying 90% of inner building at the process. The Faculty of Built Environment , University Malaya had partici[at-ed in the effort of reconstructing the building. This is to ensure that the replacement are as close as possible to the original materials, but also comply with the latest service and law requirement.

Before Construction


Figure 3.12 & Figure 3.13 shows the temporary protection is used to prevent further damage during rehabilitation.

Figure 3.12

Figure 3.13

Construction Period

Figure 3.14: Hacking of the damaged concrete surfaces.

Figure 3.15: Applying layers of bonding agent Nittobond EP.

Figure 3.16: Water Jetting to remove soot mark.

Figure 3.17: Srcubbing the rest of the soot with sponge, scrappers and metal nard brush.

Figure 3.18: New steel frame roof trusses installation with water-proof roof membrane.

Figure 3.19: Completed new roof finishes.

Figure 3.20: Replacing the damaged floor.

Figure 3.21: Refining the existing concrete handrails.

19Source for all pictures above: http://cipa.icomos.org/fileadmin/template/doc/antalya/99.pdf

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3.2 BUILDING MATERIALS

3.2.1 Concrete

Due to brutalist architecture, the main material used to construct the Dewan Tunku Canselor is reinforced concrete. The exterior of the Dewan Tunku Canselor are bare concrete structure, reinforced concrete and béton brut imprints on the concrete. Béton brut is concrete that is applied when the framework is removed, so that the concrete surface reflects the framework joints, wood grain, as well as fasteners around when it was poured and deliberately retained for architectural effect. Other than that, the staircase is also constructed using concrete. The railings, however, are a mixture of concrete and timber.

Figure 3.22: The exterior of the Dewan Tunku Canselor that is made with reinforced concrete.

Figure 3.23: The staircase made out of concrete

Figure 3.24: The béton brut imprints on the concrete



Photo Taken By :Sean Wee

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3.2.2 Glass


Glass is used in the installation of windows. Normal float glasses are used for windows. Float glass has a good surface flatness because it is not heat treated and thus is not subjected to distortion. The disadvantage of float glass, however, is that it will break into sharp, dangerous shards because they are not strengthened by heat. Laminated glass, on the other hand, are used on the roof so that it reduces the risk of injury to the people below in the event that it breaks. On the foyer located on the ground floor, floral-patterned stained glasses are used.

Figure 3.25: The use of laminated glass on roofs.

Figure 3.26: The use of float glass on windows.

Figure 3.27: The stained glass on the foyer.



Photo Taken By : E Jy Huey

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3.2.3 Timber

Other than being used for the railings, timber is also used for parquet floorings as well as certain roof trusses. Timber are categorized into two types: hardwood and softwood. In this building, the type of timber used is hardwood. Most hardwoods have higher densities as compared to most softwoods. Hardwoods are used to make furniture, decks, flooring and also lasting constructions. Examples of hardwood include Balau, Belian, Chengal and others.

Figure 3.22: The exterior of the Dewan Tunku Canselor that is made with reinforced concrete.

Figure 3.23: The staircase made out of concrete

Figure 3.24: The béton brut imprints on the concrete



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3.2.4 Steel


While some of the roof trusses are made of timber, the other trusses are steel trusses. Steel trusses are normally made of mild steel instead of stainless steel. This is because mild steel is cheaper compared to stainless steel. This is also because mild steel is used as an internal structural component and will not be visually seen. Mild steel is a more common engineering material but will rust or corrode if not galvanized or coated with a suitable protective system. Mild steel is also easier to work with due to its ductile nature and its ability to bend compared to stainless steel, which is less ductile and harder to bend, aside from stainless steel being more costly.


Figure 3.25: The steel truss used in Dewan Tunku Canselor.

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3.2.5 Tiles

Tiles are also used in the construction of the Dewan Tunku Canselor. Tiles are building materials that are highly durable, have moisture resistance and require minimal maintenance. They are often used in kitchens and bathrooms but are fairly useful in a wide variety of applications such as countertops and decoration purposes. Porcelain tiles are used instead of ceramic tiles for the walls and floors in the restroom in the Dewan Tunku Canselor. This is because porcelain tiles are baked at very high temperature for a long period of time so that most of the water is removed. This longer drying time makes porcelain tiles much harder and denser than ceramic tiles. Although porcelain tiles are more costly compared to ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles are more durable and longer lasting. Porcelain tiles are also less porous, which makes them easier to clean and less likely to stain compared to the more porous ceramic tiles, which may require replacement when stained. Also, ceramic tiles can only be used indoors while porcelain tiles are safe to be used indoors as well as outdoors. This is because ceramic tiles have higher moisture content and will most likely crack during extreme change in weather conditions. Ceramic tiles, on the other hand, are used as finishes on the staircase.

Photo Taken By : Sean Wee Photo Taken By : Sean Wee

Figure 3.26 : Ceramic tiles used as finishes.

Figure 3.27: The use of porcelain tiles in the restroom.

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Dewan Tunku Canselor is, in its own way, a unique building in which various elements can be seen, be it the plentiful use of the brise-soleil, the lavish decorations, or the mysterious yet breath-taking stairwells.

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4.1 Lanscape


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Figure 4.3: The landscape is dotted with bright flowers

Figure 42: Various types of plants canbe seen.

Figure 4.1: Outdoor pond with koi fish.

Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong

At Dewan Tunku Canselor (DTC), it is evident that the incorporation of nature is widely used. Along the façade of the building, plants and flowers help to create a lively and vibrant scene, in contrast to the dull colour of the concrete building. Moreover, water – whether used for ponds or as a water feature – is also one of the abundant natural elements incorporated into the landscape of the building. The flowing of water produces a calming and relaxing sound.

Figure 4.4: Indoor pond Figure 4.5: Water feature

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4.2 Decorative elements

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Figure 4.6: Large flower vases made and carved from concrete.

Figure 4.7: Signage/ resting spot. Figures 4.8 and 4.9: Decorative columns.

Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong

Photo Taken By : Felicia TiongPhoto Taken By : Felicia Tiong

Figure 4.10: Decoration on the ceiling.

Figure 4.11: Carved timber benches.

Both the exterior and the interior of the building are decorated beautifully with architectural elements which makes the building unique.Most of these decorations are created from scratch and made from concrete (refer to figures 4.6, 4.7, 4.8 and 4.9), as concrete is the major building material used in this building.Apart from this, little decorative elements can also be seen on the ceilings, or on the big benches located right outside the convocation hall.

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4.3 Lighting


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Artificial lighting is mostly used in indoor places such as the auditorium, toilets, and stair-wells (refer to Figures 4.12-4.14). These are places where activities happen throughout the day, thus natural light would be insufficient in this case. On the other hand, the exterior of the building has minimal to no artificial lighting, and the use of natural light is exploited usually through the existence of skylights (as seen in Figure 4.15 and 4.16). Thus, the absence of artificial lighting on the exterior gives the building a more natural and raw look.

Photo Taken By : Sean Wee Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong

Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong

Figure 4.12: Auditorium, used mainly for convocation ceremonies

Figure4.13: Stairwell Figure 4.14: Toilet

Figures 4.15 and 4.16: Skylights which bring in natural light

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4.4 Shading

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Since DTC was inspired by the legendary architect Le Corbusier’s later works, the concept of brise-soleil is very much abundant in this building. A brise-soleil (French: “breaks the sun”) is a “sun baffle of vertical or horizontal louvers outside the windows or extending over the entire surface of a building’s façade, especially precast concrete grids of the type developed by Le Corbusier.” It functions as a ‘sunscreen’, which reduces heat gain within a building by deflecting sunlight.

Other than the dominant use of the brise-soleil, several other shading methods are used as well. At the side entrance of DTC exists a corridor which divides a cylindrical -shaped structure, which is shaded by a concrete overhang (Refer to Figure 4.19). Moreover, skylights are not only used for penetration of light, but also provide shading and shelter from rain. Further within the heart of DTC also exists an open central area, which is shaded partially by canopies (See Figure 4.20).

Figure 4.16: View of the brise-soliel from the inside of the building

Figure 4.17: Close-up of the brise-soleil from the outside of the building

Figure 4.18: Example of a build-ing using the brise-soleil – L’unité d’habitation

Figure 4.19: Concrete roof

Figure 4.20: Canopy

Figure 4.21: Glass skylight

Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong Source : http://facadesconfidential.blogspot.com/2012/04/le-corbusier-mur-neutralisant-and.html





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4.5 Doors


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At Dewan Tunku Canselor, two distinguishable types of doors can be seen, apart from the automatic sliding glass doors at the main entrance. At the two-and-a-half-storey building, big stained glass door stretch along the entire façade of the ground level, whereas tall and narrow doors are repetitively positioned at the upper level of the façade. These doors are orientated at such an angle within the walls as to disable direct sunlight from penetrating the building. Apart from the doors along the façade, the interior of the building uses mostly big timber doors for primary rooms. On a side note, according to Acau News, the stained glass panels were not intended in the original design, which has caused some controversy because it was “not keeping to the Brutalist principles of the architecture.”

Figure 4.22 : Doors decorated with stained glass. Figure 4.23: Glass doors of the main entrance.

Figure 4.24: Tall and narrow doors on the upper floor, orientated at an angle.

Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong


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4.6 Windows

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Dewan Tunku Canselor is flooded with light during the day due to the windows allowing in an abundance of sunlight to penetrate the internal spaces of the building. Long and large windows around its sides take up a significant amount of the build-ing’s surface, producing a repet-itive pattern all over the upper part of the building.

Windows play an important role in any building, allowing the passage of light and, if not closed or sealed, air and sound.

Figure 4.25: Windows around the side of the building.

Figure 4.26: The windows on the facade of the building, shaded with the brise-soleil.



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4.7 Stairs


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The circular staircases, anoth-er key feature of the building, are made of concrete, and go all the way up to the roof. Small ceramic tiles are used to finish the stairs, and the handrails are made of concrete and timber. A chandelier hangs down the entire length of the circular staircase.

Stairs are a series of steps or flight of steps for passing from one level to another.

Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong Photo Taken By : Sean Wee Photo Taken By : Sean Wee

Photo Taken By : Felicia TiongPhoto Taken By : Felicia Tiong

Figures 4.27and 4.28: The staircase beside Dewan Tunku Canselor. Figures 4.29 and 4.30: The circular staircases.

Figure 4.31 and 4.32: The steel-and-concrete exterior staircase.

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4.8 Walls

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Photo Taken By : E Jy Huey Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong

Figures 4.33 and 4.34: Examples of béton brut.

Béton brut imprints are present on the surface of the reinforced concrete that Dewan Tunku Canselor is made of. These imprints are from the wood or plywood formwork used for pouring, left eposed visually on the final surface.

Meaning “raw concrete”, béton brut was a term Le Corbusier used to describe his choice of material, which was later adapted into the term “brutalism” by British architectural critic Reyner Banham, to identify the style.

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4.9 Roof


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The roof of Dewan Tunku Canselor, from afar, appears as a massive cubic concrete slab sitting upon the building, large and imposing and heavy even when compared to the rest of the building. It resembles some of Le Corbusier’s roofs, such as the roof of the Unite D’Habitation and Villa Shodhan. Going all the way up the circular staircase reveals that the rooftop houses several service structures and drainage systems.

A roof is the uppermost part of a building, providing protection from animals and weather, and may provide additional living space.

Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong Photo Taken By : E Jy Huey

Figures 4.35: A view of the roof from afar. Figure 4.36: The rooftop

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4.10 Floors

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The floors of Dewan Tunku Canselor are mostly tiled. Highly durable, resistant to mois-ture, and requiring minimal maintenance, tiles have always been a suitable choice for floor finishes. Porcelain tiles are used in the stairways and exterior, due to their hard and dense nature; ceramic tiles are used for the other interior spaces and washrooms, and are not as durable as porcelain tiles but far less costly.

Floors are the walking surface of a room or building, and may be any material that can support the expected load. Floors of a building are referred to as “storeys”, and consist of a subfloor for support and a floor covering used to give a good walking surface.

Photo Taken By : Sean Wee Photo Taken By : Felicia Tiong

Figures 4.37 and 4.38: Floor finishes – interior (at circular staircases) and exterior

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5.1 SUMMARY

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In conclusion, Dewan Tunku Canselor is one of the significant building of Brutalist architecture in Malaysia, which is a sub-branch of Modernism. The main material used to build the building is concrete. This building also consist of bries soleil, which is one of the significant features of Le Corbusier’s works. Although it is once burned by fire, but it was rebuilt and renovated. Since its reopening, University Malaya’s convocation was once again take place in it.

The spirit of Dewan Tunku Canselor endures. As a building, it is serious, not frivolous. It rests its chin on its fist, scowls and thinks, and in its somber thinking, it represents the intellectual rigour for which Universiti Malaya was once known.

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6.1 REFERENCES1. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.dictionaryofconstruction.com/definition/waffle-slab.html

2. Betonbrut12.blogspot.com,. (2014). Beton Brut. Retrieved 7 November 2014, from http://betonbrut12.blogspot.com/2012/10/what-is-bet on-brut-concrete-as-it.html

3. Concretecentre.com,. (2014). Ribbed and waffle slab. Retrieved 11 November 2014, from http://www.concretecentre.com/technical_infor mation/building_solutions/frame_elements/slabs/ribbed_and_waffle_slab.aspx

4. Conroy, S. (1977). Marcel Breuer: The Man, the Myth, the Craft. Washington Post.

5. Dreher, F., Busse, A., & Schmidt, A. (2014). BRUTALISMUS - Architekturen zwischen Alltag, Poesie und Theorie.. Brutalismus.com. Re trieved 9 November 2014, from http://www.brutalismus.com/e/?/concept/6. Harris, C. (2006). Harris, Dictionary of architecture & construction. New York: McGraw-Hill.

7. Heavy Industries,. (2013). Stainless vs. Mild vs. Aluminum - Heavy Industries. Retrieved 8 November 2014, from http://heavyindustries. ca/stainless-vs-mild-vs-aluminum/

8. Hhs.gov,. (2014). The Hubert H. Humphrey Building | HHS.gov. Retrieved 11 November 2014, from http://www.hhs.gov/about/hhh.html

9. Yu, S. (2014). Campus Brutalism @ Western. The Incubator. Retrieved from http://siuhongyu.net/2014/10/20/campus-brutalism-western/

10. Le Corbusier: Béton Brut and Ineffable Space, 1940-1965. (2011)

11. M. A., Z. (2002). REHABILITATION OF THE TUNKU CANSELOR HALL, UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAY SIA (1st ed.). Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Department of Building Surveying, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Re trieved from http://cipa.icomos.org/fileadmintemplate/doc/antalya/99.pdf

12. Malaysiakini.com,. (2014). A list of lesser dilemmas for Dr M. Retrieved 7 November 2014, from http://www.malaysiakini.com/opin ions/21776

13. Mud Pies,. (2011). Mud Pies. Retrieved 9 November 2014, from http://mudpies.wordpress.com/

14. precast concrete. (2014). In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://academic.eb.com/EBchecked/topic/474332/precast-concrete

15. Urli.st,. (2014). Urlist. Retrieved 9 November 2014, from http://urli.st/ctx-Brutalism/sct-untitled-link

culture & history ii - dewan tunku canselor

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