Architecture in

Brunei Darussalam

-Garriel, Edrick
-Javier, EJ
Brunei Darussalam

• Officially the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, is a sovereign state

located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Apart
from its coastline with the South China Sea, it is completely surrounded by
the state of Sarawak, Malaysia.

• According to legend, Brunei was founded by Awang Alak Betatar, later

to be Sultan Muhammad Shah. He moved from Garang, a place in the
Temburong District to the Brunei River estuary, discovering Brunei.
According to legend, upon landing he exclaimed, “Baru nah” (loosely
translated as "that's it!" or "there"), from which the name "Brunei" was
derived. Before the rise of the Bruneian Empire under the Muslim
Bolkiah Dynasty, Brunei is believed to have been under Buddhist
rulers.
Location:
Religion:
• Brunei's state religion is Islam. Majority of Muslims are followed by
the Bruneian Malays and Bruneian Chinese. Another religions in Brunei
are Christianity and Buddhism. Majority of former were foreign
workers such as British, Filipino, Australian, Thai and Cambodian
while the latter mainly the Chinese.

Society and Culture:

• The culture of Brunei is predominantly Malay, with heavy influences
from Islam, but is seen as much more conservative than Indonesia
and Malaysia.
Climate

• Brunei features a tropical rainforest climate with no real dry season. In

fact, the city sees heavy precipitation throughout the course of the year
with the driest month (March) on average having 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain
per year. October through December are the rainiest months of the year in
the city, when precipitation is seen roughly two out of every three days. As
is common to countries with a tropical rainforest climate, average
temperatures are relatively constant throughout the course of the year, with
average highs temperatures of around 32 °C (90 °F) and average low
temperatures of 23 °C (73 °F).
Defining the Architecture of Brunei
• There is no exact source saying when and what year was Brunei first
been formed, the only main source that could be related on is from the
version of " Sha'er Awang Semaun" (SAS) the early manuscript in the
earliest history of Brunei. There are a few points that could be focused
on which gave the reasons for the formation of the Brunei. In
accordance to this particular source, Brunei is said as a city above water
or also known as Kampong Ayer where during the early years, sat a
government ruling the society. According to the SAS, the city was
founded by the fourteen brothers who were searching for their father,
until they found a place where it was suitable to form a " kampong " or
a village.
The location of the city which was determined by factors:

• Protection, security and landmark; hills.

• Ports, Transportation and communication; The River and the bay as

the gateway for Brunei (Kampong Ayer) and the outside world.

• Economic activity.

• Resources; clean water and food supply.

Kampong Ayer
Basic Elements in the Bruneian House

• The Malay houses in Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia,

Borneo and the Philippine Island are quite similar in terms of their
functions and the way of construction as to Bruneian houses. This
could be the result of the continuing process of learning from one
generation to another and the introduction of similar expertise
throughout the Malay community. However some small differences
in styles can be detected which helps to identify the authenticity of
their architecture.
The original architecture of the Brunei Malay house can be identified through some
features:

1) Pemantung Tinggi - It is an unmovable piece of board about 300mm to 450mm in

height or could be higher, located above the floor finished level at the main door entrance.
The door panel is raised above the pemantung level to be placed. People have to step over
the pemantung in order to enter the house. The idea is to classify the barrier of the outer and
the inner part of the house (the public and the private).

2) Pantaran - For Kampong Ayer, it is a platform made up of timber located

in front compound of the house and considered as a foyer or informal sitting
area. Any visitor will pass through the pantaran area in order to get in the
house. Pantaran is used as a working area for the male family members to do
their simple work.
3) Sampaian and Titian Tikus - Sampaian is a ceiling joist made up of
timber which runs through the upper wall all around the house. Titian
Tikus supports the Sampaian and is also made up of timber. The
Sampaian is used to hold the ceiling finish whereas the Titian Tikus can
serve as ventilation

4) Tangga Pemandian (bathing staircase) - Tangga pemandian is

situated at the rear back of the house. It consists of several platforms for
washing and bath taking. The platforms are made up of bamboo or
nibung, sometimes timber depending on the high and low tide.
Examples of Tropical Architecture in
Brunei
Masjid Ashsaliheen by Arch. Idris
 Moroccan inspired design with adaptions for the Brunei tropical climate
Arkitek Idris is a local based Architectural firm
founded by YB Dato Paduka AR Haji Idris Haji Abas
in 1985.

Dato Idris became the first Bruneian to win the

APEA- Asia pacific Entrepreneur association award
in 2008.
The structure have huge arched
windows for the ventilation and light to
easily circulate and penetrate the
interior.
An open court within the structure with
some vegetation and water element helps
the structure to stay cool and well lit.
The Dome of the main hall have
openings to have a natural lighting and
for the hot air inside the structure to go
through those arched windows.
 Kiarong House by Moh Hack & Partners

Moh Hack & Partners is a group of architects in Bandari Seri Begawan,

Brunei. They do Architectural Design, Interior Design, Planning &
Development and Consultancy.
Located on a hilly platform at the end road, the house is built
on a narrow and long site. The surrounding views of existing
residences are not really interesting, but the area is quiet and
private.

By considering the existing site condition, the Kiarong

House boundary is planted with lush greenery to obscure the
less interesting views. Whilst the common living
space enjoys an open and airy aspect that connects with and
shares relaxing views of the planted greenery within the
house boundary, as well as out onto further distanced natural
greenery.
Architecture as external space
The main theme of the house design is how to merge the ground floor of
family common living space with surrounding greenery and nature. The
design challenge is how to take away the isolation boundaries between
the living space and nature.

All components structure for the house, such as, walls, columns,
ceilings and roofs, are not used simply to define enclosures. A study of
all these structural elements and composition defined the ground floor
space in the house, as free flowing and open to nature.

The internal walls are kept as minimalist, to purely serve the function of
each room and to protect the residents’ privacy.

The natural stone landscape wall is extended to outside of the house,

directing towards an open area of natural greenery area. Within the site
boundary, residents can enjoy a view of lush planted greenery and a
number of trees outside the boundary, plus green hills in the further
distance.
The slanted roofs are raised up towards the sky creating an expanded
angle of view towards the outside. The present combination of these
elements diffuses the boundaries and lightens up the living space, with a
sense of flow and continuity.
Instead of using big columns to support the slanted roof, the
living and dining area roof are supported by a few slim
slanted pipes to erase the weight visually. At the same time,
these slim slanted pipes are also supporting the horizontal
steel I-Beam, all along the sliding glass door and frameless
glass window, to create a space with a lighter and moreairy
feeling.

The common living space is consciously designed to enable

residents to experience a life blend with nature. All these
natural elements such as smooth passing breezes; soft
naturallight passing through tree branches, as if in a forest;
the sounds of rustling leaves, chirping birds and rain drops,
are all as part of their life

Kiarong House is therefore designed in such a way, so as to

create a very comfortable and relaxing environment, where
the residents will feel at ease, as if walking through a forest,
enclosed by nature.
Enclosed interior space and the family bond
In contrast with a complete open space on the ground floor, the first
floor is designed as a big enclosed box to secure the family privacy
and security.

The cabinets, which incorporate the windows, are placed along the long
hallway and on the opposite side of bedrooms. On the bedroom side,
cabinets function as storage for individual family members, while the
long hallway side is designed as open shelves.

All bedrooms on the first floor do not using typical swing doors (a

device which accelerate the isolation of individual family members),
but instead use movable partitions.
Lifestyle (The contrast of common and private living space)

The ground floor living space of Kiarong House is

designed as an area that is completely open to the
nature, where people can live and enjoy the natural
environment splendidly. In contrast with the ground
floor concept, the first floor is designed as an enclosed
space, where the privacy of family members is
protected, and at the same time, promoting a lifestyle
that should help to strengthen the family bond.