Facade
Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman
Different from normal Malay houses, this house, served as the villagehead house, has bigger spaces and more complexity in each of its elements.
Rumah Ibu
main
office
Influences :
> Geographic
> Economic
Located next to Thailand makes Kedah, the original location of the house, populated by mostly Chinese. Chinese carvings are adapted by this house in some part of the house, but still considering the "pantang" ("don't") in Islam.
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Facing the west (Mekkah), affects why some carvings are placed the way it is.
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How the economy condition of house owner differs the details had in the building. Rumah Penghulu is a village head's house. His condition was good back then, allowing him to have fancy carvings and clay roofing in his house.
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Symbol of star and cresent was put on facade, facing the west
Clay tiles are heavier, therefore needs more structure to hold it, more structure-cost more
Arc at the entrance was made low, so that everyone going
in would bend automatically
(to show sign of respect)
Pillars, not only as storage and safety, it also ease the problem when the owner wants to move their house to another location
walls are in the form of louvers. this horizontal wood arrangement are called "susun Sirih"
or "tindih kasih"
tall window to allow lights and air to come in and out. with fancy iron grate
balcony or verranda is meant for the waiting room, or can also function as meeting area.
some unusual patterns are found in this house, this lattice pattern was one of them. not many malay houses use this pattern in their design.
Going up the staircase, towards the serambi.
main entrance is where the first impressions are made. beautiful designs are found in this rumah penghulu to show the owner's power.
rear side of the house, view towards the rumah ibu. its design are calmer but have much more carvings, to show its importance in malay houses.
Malays are not supposed to have "animal" in their houses. but abu seman incorporated the bird into one of the carving in 2d form. it is a prove that he was working with a chinese craftmen when his house was built back in 1910.
again, the fancy facia board.
decoratives elements are used everywhere in this house. not excluding the back door.
How many patterns can you find ?
lattice
geometric
pola papan kepala cicak
pola puncuk rebung
susun sirih/
tindih kasih
tingkap
hold it. don't scroll down first. take your time and count. we'll reveal the answer.
Some other patterns...
pola papan layang
flower vase
Moon and Crescent
bird (2D)
Every Malay house are different from each other, no trees would be the same. And also, where you build it and when you build it will give an impact on how the house will turns out These small small stories behind are all the details that makes all the Malay house unique.
Presented by : Wiwiek Susanto