Conservation of Negeri Sembilan Traditional Malay House : Relocation and Challenges
By Dr Mohd Sabere Sulaiman SME Conservation Registered Conservator Senior Superintendent Architect
FEATURE
The vernacular Negeri Sembilan Traditional Malay House ( NSTMH ) is one of the traditional dwellings constructed by villagers and forms part of the valuable architectural heritage of Malaysia before modern technologies arrived ( Sulaiman , 2014 ). It is commonly known as the rumah kampung or ' village house ' ( Lee , 2003 ) which was built in timber . The house has a distinctive architectural quality and a diversity of styles and a house form that reflects the creativity and aesthetic skills of the Malays . The NSTMH was designed to meet the demands of the local climate . In addition , Its flexibility in design and construction , suited the lifestyle and economic status of the owners ( Sulaiman , 2014 ). The characteristics of the NSTMH can be seen in its layout and house form , for example ; it is built on stilts with an elevated floor and a straightforward timber post and beam structure . It has full-length louvred windows , a high roof with ventilation openings and covered in low thermal conductivity materials . Most of the NSTMH can be seen in rural areas and they are now facing new challenges to survive for future generations .
This article deals with the challenges in the relocation process of conserving these houses and focuses on two case studies , discussing the findings from on-site visual observations and photographic documentation .
RELOCATION CONCEPT
According to Gregory ( 2008 ) various International Council on Monuments and Sites ( ICOMOS ) Charters are against the relocation concept , and some sanction it as only the last solution , as stipulated in Article 7 of the Venice Charter ( 1964 ): A monument is inseparable from the history to which it bears witness and from the setting in which it occurs . The moving of all or part of a monument cannot be allowed except where the safeguarding of that monument demands it or where it is justified by national or international interest of paramount importance
( ICOMOS Venice Charter ( 1964 ), p . 3 )
As suggested in Article 10 , ICOMOS New Zealand ' s Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Heritage Value ( 2010 ), a more pragmatic approach was considered : In exceptional circumstances , a structure of cultural heritage value may be relocated if its current site in imminent danger , and if all other means of retaining the structure in its current location have been exhausted . In this event , the new location should provide a setting compatible with the cultural heritage value of the structure
( ICOMOS New Zealand ( 2010 ), p . 4 )
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