• Research and Case study (group)

• “Contemporary Vernacular Architecture”

• Boat Making Academy
• Schedule of Areas (group)
Salinger House, Kajang
• Architect:
Jimmy C.S. Lim
• Master Carpenter:
Ibrahim bin Adam
• Client:
Rudin and Munira Salinger
• Size:
12'140 m²
• Completed:
1992
• The Salinger House
• post-and-beam timber structure
• raised on stilts to reduce its impact on the land and the environment.
• built in the traditional way of the Malays
• modern in a form that interprets rather than imitates Malay culture and reflects the client's Islamic faith.
• designed with sustainable ecological principles in mind.
• Placed on a high elevation to reduce water run-off through the building during the monsoon rains,
• oriented to capture the prevailing winds.
• The plan is formed by two adjoining equilateral triangles,
• the larger for indoor living, the other a prow-like veranda.
• ground level is a hexagonal granite core
• containing the entrance, a small foyer, a toilet, and stairs leading to the first floor living room, dining area,
kitchen and bedroom in the living triangle, and to the veranda;
• the stairs continue to the second floor dressing room, master bedroom, and study.
• The house was built completely by hand by traditional Malay carpenters.
• The only machinery used was a small cement mixer.
• Except for the handmade roof tiles, it was constructed throughout with a very dense timber highly resistant to
water and termites.
• The jury found that the house demonstrates that high technology and energy-depleting services can be
renounced if sufficient craft and creativity are deployed, and that the deeper meaning of a vernacular
architectural tradition can be combined with the surroundings of contemporary everyday life.
• Traditional ideas played into design, no pastiche of past
• Dramatic with sharp corners of triangular structure, thrusting outwards, giving distinct memory of traditional
Malay structure, but simultaneously, being contemporary.
• Designed with ecologically sustainable principles
• Positioned to catch prevailing winds
• Cross ventilated, no air conditioner ( minimizes electricity use )
• Timber slats on first floor allow free flow of air into house.
• All trees on site retained.
• No heavy machinery used on site
• Heavy timber members lifted through pulley and rope
• Carpenter that worked on site all senior aged.
• Master carpenter blind and without right hand.
• Used 3 chengal tree from Gua Musang and Hulu Besut, Terengganu
• Adhered to traditional building customs,
• Doa Selamat (raising of Tiang Seri)
• House designed complimenting ability of craftsmen
• Traditional in many but, but is a modern building.
• Many Malaysian model so called modern architecture after Western buildings without local environmental
consideration.
• Honest solution in establishing a modern Malaysian architectural identity.
• Organized basic tripartite programme in open plan that places 2 equilaterial triangle against one another
• Large triangle to accommodate indoor living and a second for outdoor living
• External timber treated with minyak doman to improve water resistance
• Staircase and stone core first elements to be built.
 Structure, Materials, and Technology
• Utilizes traditional Malay construction system, post and
beam timber structure
• Foundation - reinforced concrete (1.8m deep foundation
pads)
• Building core – reinforced concrete frame with granite
rubble walls.
• Timber – Chengal wood
• Timber Joints, dowels, and traditional connections. No
metal connections
• Originally details were fitted with metal. Carpenter
involvement changed to timber
• nails used in anjung (verandah)
• The house doesn’t interfere with natural
landscape, preserve site contour. Raised on
stilt with large overhang roof without gutter
• Older wooden Malay houses are replaced with
modern concrete villas