Malay Architecture

Introduction

Malay architecture was basically at first very simple and minimalistic to accommodate their families as they have very simple tools and also very low economy at that point of time.
Malays also at that time were also very prone to the natural disasters, wars, the expansion of their own families and also the finding of a source of food and economy for the Malays which was ever changing. Thus the only purpose of the houses was to protect themselves from the rain and sun and also to be easily movable when there was a need to.
But later, there was a great development in their construction to suit their ever changing lifestyles and needs. There were also many new more useful and complex tools that was invented to built more stable, bigger and more beautiful houses. Thus many new styles and shape of the architecture was born, which can clearly be seen in Malay States such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

Early Malay Architecture

Early Malay architecture was very influenced and diversified due to its two divisions in the Malay community which is the Pro-Malays and the Deutro-Malays.
The Deutro-Malays lived further inland thus limiting their contact with other people as many chose to travel by sea at that time. The Pro-Malays lived at the seaside thus being exposed to foreign influence as many came to explore the lands.
This caused a great gap between the Pro-Malays and the Deutro-Malays as the Pro-Malays were getting more and more modern, leaving the Deutro-Malays behind with several thousands years less of technology.
This Megalithic culture of the Pro-Malays and the Deutro-Malays caused many inventions of architecture being framed by Animism. They had prayed to their ancestors who had died for respect and also for their "protection" under the care of their ancestors.

Factors Influencing Malay Architecture

Climate

The climate greatly affects the shape of the architecture of the Malays. The high temperature and also heavy rain greatly shapes the designing and the building of the houses. This had caused many Malay houses to have balconies and verandahs with the floor high above the ground. They also have greatly sloping roofs, as a result of heavy rain flowing easily to the ground.

The greatly sloping roof would help in the flowing of the rain water as when heavy rain occurs. If the roofs were parallel to the ground, the roofs would not be able to withstand the immense pressure of the rainfall, thus causing the roof to easily break as it is usually made of leaves and wood. The sloping roofs decreases the pressure of the rainfall letting the water flow to the ground.

The balconies and the verandahs are for the relaxation of the Malays as the internal parts of the house would be so much hotter in a sunny day. They are able to enjoy the air and the coolness outside rather than inside.

The elevated floor would help to keep the water out due to heavy rain and also not allow any small animals to go into the house such as snakes and rats.

Religion

Malay houses and architecture are also greatly influenced by their religion.
A Malay house would be built to be orientated with their direction of their prayers as they must pray facing towards the Mecca in Saudi Arabia. They had strictly obeyed their religion and had many distinct features to show that they were Muslims.
They was also a division between the sleeping quarters of the men and the ladies.
There are also many engravings on the wooden walls and windows in Arabic of their beliefs and their religion which is Islam.

The Future of Malay Architecture

In many different parts of the world, there have been many different forms in the different Malay States due to their different lifestyles, slightly different climate and also different economies. But all the houses had two things in common and that was to have a sloping roof and was being elevated from the ground.
Thus the art of the Malay architecture was clearly distinct to their economy and their religion. But now, many are not interested in reviving the art of Malay architecture due to modernization thus we should try to preserve some of these priceless heritage before they are gone.