Traditional Malay houses of Malaysia: a climatic design study

Abstract

This research report is a study of the design of the traditional Malay house of Malaysia, looking specifically at those features of the house which adapts it to the demands of the climate. In this way, the report can be viewed as an attempt to rediscover the vernacular solutions to climatic problems in the country. Solutions to climatic problems is difficult to achieve without first understanding the nature of the climate. In this report some of the main aspects of the Malaysian climate will be discussed in relation to their individual and combined effects on human comfort. Following that, the requirements to achieve comfort in this climate will be outlined. The house is the main instrument for fulfilling these climatic requirements. In the analysis of the traditional Malay house one will find that there are numerous features of the house that are geared towards providing reliefs from the adverse effects of the climate. As a result, it is a very appropriate house form, suited specifically to the hot-humid climate of Malaysia.