Continue from page 32 DISMANTLING PROCESS
The location of the ‘ time-capsule ’ was found underneath the Tiang Seri column . The 10 cent coin stated " STRAITS SETTLEMENTS TEN CENTS , 1919 " indicated the birth date of the house .
REASSEMBLING PROCESS
The new design of the staircase in timber was installed , which was totally different from the original design and is quite at odds with the character of the building .
The roof tiles of Rumah Ibu were completely reassembled without the original cement roof ridge ( dragon pattern ).
10ft
Figure 8 : Original condition of Rumah Maimunah Yaakub before dismantling ( left ) and after reassembled ( right ) where the height of stilts under the house was increased to 10 feet , features of dragon head at the end of roof ridge was not constructed ( red circle ) and new staircase ( red rectangle ) ( Source : Sulaiman , 2017 )
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Both case studies show similar issues and challenges in dismantling and reassembling the houses which includes poor record keeping and documentation , no appointed conservator , various unconvincing methods and techniques applied , unskilled workers and no proper storage for materials .
Apparently , some of the changes that were effected during the reassembly process could have been avoided at an earlier stage . In the case of Rumah Tukang Kahar , the main mistake involved placing the carving elements in the wrong position . This could have been avoided by referring and adhering to the recording and documentation processes as stated in the ICOMOS Principles for Recording of Monuments , Group of Buildings and Sites , 1996 . Not only that , the houses were painted ( shellac ) including all decorative elements that resulted in the loss of their original colours . Rumah Maimumah Yaakub can be considered as a new transformation from its original because the height of the stilts were increased to about ten feet . The height was extended on top of the existing column with a new jointing system that is quite a risk . This seriously affected the scale and proportion of the house which lost its character as a result . It also led to the misinterpretation of the NSTMH , especially for future generations .
These issues highlight how we should adress the challenges of conserving a tradiitional Malay house and find the best way to move one , especially with regard to joining elements and the sequence of construction . These are the things that we can learn from other people ( lead by example ). The fact is that Rumah Tukang Kahar has an educational value that can be expanded through correct conservation practices so that this heritage building can be appreciated in the right way . In future , a removal has to be done effectively , with knowledge on how to maintain the building ’ s character in a sustainable way .
Unfortunately , in both of these cases , despite the best intentions , correct procedures were not
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