victoria station klang report

ARCHITECTURE CULTURE & HISTORY 2 [ARC 1323]

MS ANIDA

ARCHITECTURE

HERITAGE

BUILDING

ANALYSIS

NUR ADILA ZAAS (0310417) | SONIA MANYIE (0801A65704)|

YASEEN SYED (0309021) | SWAFAA SIHAG (0306347)

PROGRESS | JOURNEYS |

0.1 JOURNEYS

TAYLOR'S LAKESIDE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS ->

NATIONAL ARCHIVE -> NATIONAL LIBRARY -> KLANG LIBRARY ->

MAJLIS PERBANDARAN KLANG ->

BALAI BOMBA DAN PENYELAMAT KLANG

PROGRESS

INTRODUCTION 1.0HISTORY | CONTEXTUAL | THE ARCHITECT

INTRODUCTION

1.0 HISTORY OF KLANG

Klang is one of the oldest towns in Selangor. The names itself been derived by Malay

words, “Kilang” which means warehouses and factories. It also has been a human settlement

since 2,000 years ago due to the instruments used during Iron Age called “Tulang Mawas” were

found.

In the past, Klang was already famous due to its high – grade tin and also the Klang River

itself. The Klang River was marked and named on the earliest maritime charts prepared by

navigators who accompanied the Chinese Admiral Cheng Ho on his visits to Malacca from 1409-

1433. In addition, metals were found in Abundance In - Stream and along the river.

INTRODUCTION

1.0 HISTORY OF KLANG

INTRODUCTION

Therefore, the desire to control Klang led directly to several wars back then. It started when Raja

Mahadi fought against Raja Abdullah to regain what he considered his birthright as territorial chief in

the Selangor Civil War 1867-1874. Raja Mahadi failed to gain full control of the state after the

British intervention and control.

Despite the transition, Klang never lost its appeal and heritage. Nowadays, we can see

several buildings remain the traces of historical background. From the roof to the façade of famous

buildings, there are a lot of interesting tales and stories to tell.

| ONE OF THE FAMOUS BUILDING IN KLANG, MAHKOTA PURI PALACE |

| SITE CONTEXT |

| Kota Raja Fire & Rescue Station |

K L A N G R A I L W A Y

S T A T I O N

P R E W A R

S H O P L O T S

R O Y A L

G A L L E R Y

G E D U N G R A J A

A B D U L L A H

1

2

3

4

INTRODUCTION

JALAN TENGKU KELANA, KLANG

| SITE CONTEXT |

K L A N G R A I L W A Y S T A T I O N

B u i l t i n 1 8 9 0

P R E W A R S H O P L O T S

C o n s t r u c t e d b e t w e e n

1 9 3 0 & 1 9 4 0

M a d e t h e a r e a o n e o f

t h e b u s i e s t s p o t s i n

S o u t h e r n K l a n g

M o r e t h a n 4 0 p r e - w a r

s h o p l o t s f o r m a

h i s t o r i c a l s c e n e

a t J a l a n R a y a T i m u r

1

2

INTRODUCTION


| SITE CONTEXT |

R O Y A L G A L L E R Y B u i l t i n 1 9 0 9

W e s t e r n a n d C l a s s i c a l

A r c h i t e c t u r e D e s i g n

A r c h i t e c t ’ s n a m e i s

A . B . H u b b a c k

I t w a s t h e B r i t i s h

A d m i n i s t r a t i o n O f f i c e

J a p a n e s e M i l i t a r y

H e a d q u a r t e r s

I t w a s R o y a l M a l a y s i a

P o l i c e C o n t i n g e n t

G E D U N G R A J A A B D U L L A H

B u i l t i n 1 8 5 7

I t w a s t u r n e d i n t o a p o l i c e

s t a t i o n a n d r e m a i n e d s o

u n t i l 1 9 7 4

T h e l o c k u p s , w i t h I r o n

W r o u g h t G a t e s , s t i l l e x i s t

3

4

INTRODUCTION


INTRODUCTION

Built in the 1890s, the fire station is one of the oldest building still standing until today. Situated

at the junction of Tengku Diaudin Road and Tengku Kelana Road overlooking the Klang Bridge, this

unique building is hard to miss. During those times, the construction of the fire station was supervised

by the local police department before it was handed over to District Council in the year of 1950. In

1967, the district council handed over the control of the building to the State government and finally

was placed under the Federal government in 1978.

During the administration of the police department, this building was used as a storage

ammunition as well as office spaces until the 1950 in which it was then used as a police station. At the

time, the building was designed to amplify sounds of incoming attacks from Japanese occupiers. The

back part of the buildings were also used as quarters for the policemen.

Today, although the building has been renovated, the Victorian-styled building architectural elements

are still maintained under the orders of the Selangor Sultan.

1.1 HISTORY OF KOTA RAJA FIRE & RESCUE STATION |

1.2 Contextual Conditions

1.2.1 Physical Aspects Since it was built in the Victorian times the fire station has the physical aspect of a typical Victorian

building. Although there are many different types of Victorian houses they all share many of the same

detailed physical aspect. During our visit to the fire station in Klang we immediately spotted the rendered

reddish brick wall (Figure 1.2a), which stood out in the streets of Klang. A technique called the Flemish

bond brick (Figure 1.2b) which consists of alternating headers(bricks whose end appears on the face of the

wall) and stretchers(bricks whose long side appeared on the face of the wall) to bring about the uniqueness

of the exterior of a Victorian-styled building.

Figure 1.2.1a Reddish brick wall facade Figure 1.2.1b Flemish bond brick

Entering the building we stepped on geometric, terracotta floor tiles in the porch area and through

the ground floor. As for the roof, on the ridge (where two sides of sloping or pitched roof meet) and gable

ends they often have finials, a small carved ornament on the point this type of roof is called a slate roof.

Arched doors in the interior and wood siding was used for Clapboard siding. A round shaped post known as

a column usually holding and supporting the roof up are also seen in the fire station .At the back entrance

of the fire station, timber- framed porches can be seen, with lattice work(an opened framework of strips,

with a crisscross pattern). (Refer to building inventory).

INTRODUCTION

1.2.2 Social Aspects

Brick-built buildings offer high levels of comfort, although we all have our own ideas about what

brings out a comfortable environment. Some of these ideas are difficult to quantify, we studied a number of

factors that bring out or show us the level of comfort in the fire station. The fire station has wide openings

and are mostly kept open as they are the entrance of the fire brigade; this opening takes at least half of the

front facade of the building (Figure 1.2.2a), because of this the acoustic level travelling from the inside to

the outside and vice versa is really high, thus lowering the comfort level. However when it comes to the

inter-space noise control, the brick walls separating the spaces and the mostly shut sliding windows lower

the chances of sound transfer from one space to another.

The thermal conditions inside this building vary in different spaces. The main space (engine

bay) of the building were the fire brigade and the fireman's uniforms and most of the

equipment is kept, is in a form of a courtyard that is open space (Figure 1.2.2b), here the

thermal conditions depends on the weather conditions, when we visited the fire station it was

a hot afternoon thus this space was equally hot. However the other spaces were closed up

spaces and these are the offices consisting of the meeting room (Figure 1.2.2c), control room

(Figure 1.2.2d), office spaces (Figure 1.2.2e), and new standby locations. These spaces are

fully air conditioned and are always closed therefore air movement is within the space and it is

always cool. As for the old stand-by spaces(Figure 1.2.2e) which now the fireman do not use

due to extremely small space and no source of ventilations at all caused by the lack of

windows, the thermal conditions in this space if very low.

Figure 1.2.2a Figure 1.2.2b

The main structure of the building is made of brick walls therefore the absorption of moisture in

walls is about twelve to twenty percent therefore just enough to obtain a proper bond between the motor

and the bricks., because of this the main exterior walls of the fire station even though they are extremely

old, have hardly grown mold, however the interior walls which separate the spaces absorbs a lot of

moisture due to the material used is timber, thus most of the walls have mold grown in them (Figure

1.2.2g).Because it is a fire station, there are no toxic emissions emanating from the building fabric into the

internal space, making it extremely clean environment.

Figure 1.2.2g Figure 1.2.2h

Fig 1.2.2c Fig 1.2.2d

Fig 1.2.2e Fig 1.2.2f

And as for the levels of safety, the building is mostly made of open spaces thus a lot of exiting areas and

firefighting equipment’s (Figure 1.2.2h) all over the building thus high level of safety in case of fire and

flooding, however less safe in case of burglary due to the open all spaces in the building are connected to

the main courtyard area, thus high levels of flexibility in the circulation of the building.

1.2.3 Cultural Aspects Until today, the building has many of its original designs and elements kept intact. The Victorian

style has been maintained by the Federal government as the sultan of Klang did not want any modern

changes to be made. The materiality of the building are still visible, even though some of the wood and

timber may have perished over time. Paint has been applied over the wood to enhance the perished and

demolished sections of the building. The building still depicts all the Victorian elements (Refer to building

inventory) such as:

Patterned Walls-These can be seen all around the station, they are placed in a Fleming bond, which was

common to the Victorian style

Terraces and Porches - towards the back of the station, a small terrace is created using glazed timber, it

also has some lattice work done on it. It probably seats two people. While sitting in it, one can get an

average view of the street in front. The porches were like gardens built at the front and rear.

Barge boards – Distinctive decorative wooden panels were visible on the gable of the pitched roof.

Decorated roof lines and slates-Again at the ends of the gable, small carved finials were placed to adorn

the roof.

Floor tiles - The use of geometric, earthly clay tiles was common to Victorian architecture. The fire station

floor is layered with terracotta tiles, which are in keeping with the neutral colours of the rest of the building.

Columns - Cylindrical columns uphold the roof, and they are also painted in earthly colours.

Arched doors - The arched doorways, express Victorian architecture.

Clapboard Sidings - Long, thin wood panels that overlap one another are projected out of the walls.With

all the remains of the original building, the Government has managed to preserve the building and keep it in

its original form. Hence the city of Klang is known to be the historical city of Malaysia.

1.2.4 Economical and Political Aspects

Economically, Klang has always been of key strategic importance. By the 19th century, the

importance of Klang greatly increased by the rapid expansion of the tin mining industry. The royal town

remained the chief outlet for Selangor’s tin. In 1901, it became the official seat of Sultan Suleiman,

however, today, Klang is no longer a state capital or the main seat of the ruler, but it remains the

headquarters of the district. With all the flourishing income made through trade and business, Klang

become the 16th busiest port across the globe. Building the fire station was not much of a hassle, as

Malaysia’s place in this exchange commodity was as a leading exporter of raw materials (tin, rubber,

timber, oil, etc.) and an importer of manufactures.

The political history of the building involves the government and public affairs of Malaysia. The fire

station as mentioned earlier was a police station. Klang encompasses three parliamentary seats: Kapar

(Mr. Manikavasagam a/l Sundaram of PKR), Kota Raja (Mdm. Siti Mariah Mahmud of PAS), and Klang (Mr.

Charles Anthony Santiago of DAP). All three are held by the Pakatan Rakyat coalition. These

constituencies are subdivided into state seats. The construction of the fire station was never a major issue

between the parties, as it was constructed for the city’s security. The maintenance of the building was also

not as costly, as most of the materials used were natural materials. Just every now and then, services were

required to polish up the building.

THE BUILDING 2.0 ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS|SPECIAL FEATURES

2.1 Patterned Walls

Element Patterned Walls

Façade detail

- Flemish brick bond

- Colors blends with the environment but distinct with the patterns

- Different colour for contrast

Brief description

The patterns can be seen on the front and side elevation of the fire station.

Victorian houses often used what is known as Flemish brick bond, which

consists of alternating headers (bricks whose end appears on the face of the

wall) and stretchers (bricks whose long side appeared on the face of the wall)

along each course with the headers centered on the stretchers above and

below.

THE BUILDING 2.0 BUILDING INVENTORY

2.2 Gardens and Porches

Element Gardens and Porches

Façade detail

- Timber-framed porches

- Timber from the roofing of the fire station dating back to World

War II are reused as railings and floorings

- Ladder leading up to the porch

- Furniture with detailing provided

Brief description Victorians were fond of porches in front of the main door into their

houses. Styles ranged from enclosed stone or brick porches to open

and part glazed timber framed porches. In the fire station, timber framed

porches can be seen, with lattice work (an opened framework of strips,

with a crisscross pattern).Smalls gardens in the fire station, can also be

seen at the front and back.

2.3 Side-gabled and Front-gabled Roof

Element Side-gabled and Front-gabled Roof

Façade detail

- Presence of ridges

- Gabled-end

- Moderate pitch

Brief description Victorian houses commonly have slate roofs, on the ridge (where

two sides of sloping or pitched roof meet) and gable ends they

often have finials, a small carved ornament on the point.

2.4 ARCHES DOOR

ELEMENT Arches Door

FACADE DETAIL

- Curve Arch Door

- Timber Framed Door

-Symmetrical

BRIEF DESCRIPTION It is a common thing for Victorian Houses to have Curve Arch Door.

The framed of the door been covered by timber with small window

been include on top of the door. This door also been built with a nice

symmetry.

2.5 CLAPBOARD SIDING

ELEMENT

Clapboard Siding

FACADE DETAIL

- Wood Siding

- Ventilation

- Decoration Purposes

- Can be Painted

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

This clapboard siding is actually a wood siding commonly used

in house. This clapboard siding a one way to cover from rain

and wind. The gap between siding is to allow oxygen to come in

and also allow a trace of sun into interior.

Overall, the building remains intact with most of its elements in place. It symbolizes the influence of

Victorian elements into the Malay culture. The Federal state government and Sultan have maintained each

corner of the Fire Station well, in that none of its original elements were demolished or renovated. The

Station has served its duty well, in protecting the people of the city, in any emergency. With the sultan's

concern on keeping the building intact and preserving it, the building will serve its duty in many years to

come.

CONCLUSION

Floor Plan of the fire station:

APPENDIX

Pamplets used as reference:

During the course of the interview, the medium of instruction used was the Malay Language. The interview was divided into audio recording, interviewer, photo-taking and notes- taking. Below are parts of the translated transcripts.

F= Fireman Mohamad Syafiee; I: Interviewer

I: Good afternoon Mr Syafiee.

F: Good afternoon. How may I assist you with this interview?

I: Well, basically we would like to know the history of the building and if it is possible for you to escort us around the fire station.

F: Of course [Lead us to the board describing the history of the station]. The fire station was built in 1919…

For the full couse of the interview, Mr Syafiee led us to various room and parts of the fire station. Photographs and notes were documented as shown in the building inventory and diagrams on this reports. Photographs were taken and documented on the fire station official facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Balai-‐Bomba-‐Penyelamat-‐Kota-‐Raja/390748224284487.

REFERENCES

victoria station klang report

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