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Hello there, I'm Shafia but most people call me just Pia because apparently it sounds cuter. I have a very strong opinion on staircases, cry about cantilevers and spend most of my time romanticizing windows! Oh man, if buildings could talk I'd probably be the one having unnecessarily long conversations with them. Architecture has always fascinated me. Not just their breathtaking structures, but the stories they tell, the spaces they shape and they lifestyle they provide us.

In this assignment I shall be sharing with you the Baba Nyonya, Bajau Laut, Minangkabau, Lun Bawang and Siamese-Malay architecture. Let us begin as I have CONCRETE plans for this assignment - pun fully intended.

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The Bajau Laut, also known as the Sea Bajau or sea gypsies, are one of the earliest communities to inhabit the coastal regions of Sabah and are the second-largest ethnic group in the area. Traditionally nomadic seafarers, they are deeply connected to the ocean, relying primarily on fishing for their livelihood. Their children are taught to dive at a very young age making them the best divers (Syed Ali, 2025) Their homes, whether floating or fixed, are a reflection of their seafaring heritage, shaped over generations to suit life at sea. These distinctive dwellings combine practical needs with cultural traditions, making them unique among coastal communities.

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1. Variety of Boats with Specific Roles: The Bajau Laut use several traditional boats—Lepa, Tempel, Boggo-boggo, Gubang, and Bayanan—each designed for different purposes like fishing, living, transporting goods or people, and ceremonial use.

2. Functional Floating Homes: Boats like the Tempel and Bayanan serve as houseboats equipped with shelter, cooking areas, storage, and are used for daily living and ceremonies such as weddings.

3. Multipurpose Boats for Rituals and Isolation: Boats such as the Gubang and Boggo-boggo are used for fishing, transport, and cultural practices like isolating new brides or carrying deceased individuals to shore.

4. Symbolism in Death Rites: When transporting a deceased person, a white flag is raised—front for male, back for female—to signal the nature of the voyage.

5. Communal Gatherings on Water: During large celebrations, multiple boats are joined together to form a larger platform for guests and festivities. Every year there is a celebration called Regatta Lepa also known as 'Most beautiful boat competition' (Aziz, 2017).

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Studying the architectures of different cultures allows us to understand how people across time and geography have shaped their environments to reflect their values, beliefs, climate, and way of life. From the floating boathouses in Sabah to the unique ceramic walls in Penang. By exploring these differences, we not only gain insight into cultural identity and historical context but also learn sustainable, innovative, and inclusive design principles that can inspire modern architecture. In short, it’s like traveling the world—one building at a time—without leaving your drafting table.

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6. Stilt Houses Near Coastlines. As lifestyles evolved, the Bajau Laut began building larger stilt houses (lepa houses) over shallow coastal waters, maintaining close proximity to the sea as it is their source of life.

7. Daily Living and Community Life. These homes serve as spaces for raising children, economic planning, and community meetings, and are built using wood, bamboo, and nipa palms.

8. Built for Harsh Conditions. The stilt houses are designed to withstand strong coastal winds and tides, while allowing easy boat access for daily sea-based activities.

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9. Land-Based Traditional Homes: These houses are structurally similar to stilt houses but are built entirely on land, using the same natural materials and simple, efficient techniques.

10. Quick Construction and Practical Layout: With skilled craftsmanship, these houses can be built in about a week (Sahibil, 2019) and are divided into two main areas: the keoyon (living area) and the serudung (kitchen)

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Baba Nyonya / Peranakan Cina / Straits Chinese

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Baba Nyonya / Peranakan Cina / Straits Chinese

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Who are they?

The word Peranakan directly translates to "child" in Malay, but culturally, it refers to the descendants of intermarriages between foreign settlers and local populations in the Nusantara region. In this context, I’ll be focusing on the Chinese Peranakan community in Malaysia. Also known as the Straits Chinese or Baba-Nyonya, this group originated from Chinese immigrants who came to Malaysia—particularly to places like Malacca and Penang—for work. Over time, many of them married local Malay women, giving rise to a unique cultural blend. The Chinese Peranakan developed a distinct identity, combining Chinese and Malay traditions in their language, clothing, food, and architecture, shaping a vibrant part of Malaysia’s heritage

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1. The Straits Chinese community is commonly associated with iconic shophouses and townhouses, mainly because these were among the few structures preserved over time due to their locations in urban heritage zones.

2. Besides the well-known townhouses and shophouses, the Baba nyonya community also lived in:

Kampung houses otherwise known as compound houses

Villas

Bungalows

Mansions

These houses were determined based on their socioeconomic status (Khoo, 2023). It further demonstrated the cultures ability to adapt.

3. Many of these alternative structures were lost to redevelopment as urban expansion and modernization replaced them with contemporary buildings.

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The Baba Nyonya house features a variety of distinct spaces, each carefully designed for specific functions that reflect the cultural, social, and spiritual values of the Peranakan community.

1. Thia Abu (Ancestral Hall)

This hall is dedicated to the ancestors of the Chan family, and prayers (semahyang) are still conducted 7 times a year: during ancestor’s birthdays, death anniversaries, all Soul’s Day, Chinese New Year and the Hungry Ghost festival. (Baba Nyonya Museum, 2025)

2. Thia Gelap (Dark Hall)

This was an area typically located between the reception hall and private dining rooms where the young ladies of the family could hide inside to peek at guests.

3. Chim Che (Airwell)

These homes rely on three main courtyard airwells for natural light and ventilation. Rainwater falls through these open courtyards, cooling down the interior while symbolically bringing good luck and prosperity (ong), as water is traditionally associated with wealth in Chinese culture.

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Now, what makes the Peranakan houses so captivating? Well I'm here to share with you all the bits and pieces that come together to create such magnificent structures.

1. Ceramic tiles. These tiles are brightly coloured with floral or geometrical motifs. They serve both aesthetically and functional as they are pleasing to the eyes and also helps cool down the interiors.

2. Stained glass windows. Just like the ceramic tiles, these stained glasses were also an influence from England. They added a touch of color to the house and allowed light to come in whilst maintaining privacy of those who inhabited the house. These windows also served as a sign of wealth.

3. Wooden carvings. A major part of peranakan decoration. You could find them everywhere from door panels, stair railings, furniture and many more. Each of them with Chinese motifs with symbolic meanings like:

Peonies for wealth.

Phoenixes for virtue.

Dragons for power.

(Koh, 2016)

The residence is based on the Chinese Baroque style with European neoclassical influences through characteristic Greco-Roman columns, further enhanced by attractively decorated oyster inlaid furniture sets and tiled floors, presenting a combination of Dutch and Victorian tastes. (Fauzi, 2015)

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Peranakan, T. (2023, May 3). “Peranakan” Architecture – What is it? – THE PERANAKAN Magazine. https://www.peranakan.org.sg/theperanakanmagazine/peranakan-architecture-what-is-it/

HGTV Asia. (2016, January 5). Peranakan Charm and Nostalgia | Asian Traditions | HGTV Asia [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmLP0OTV920

Fauzi, B. Z. (2015, July 26). Warisan klasik Baba, Nyonya. Bharian. https://www.bharian.com.my/bhplus-old/2015/07/70102/warisan-klasik-baba-nyonya?m=1

Baba Nyonya Museum – home of a peranakan family. (n.d.). https://www.babanyonyamuseum.com/

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The Minangkabau are an ethnic group from West Sumatra, Indonesia, known for their unique culture, traditions, and architecture. The name "Minangkabau" comes from the words "minang," meaning "victory," and "kabau," meaning "bull," referring to a famous legend of a victorious buffalo. Meor Mohamad Nazhan (2019) states that the Minangkabau people are among the ethnic groups known for frequent movement. Movement refers to the act of relocation or migration. They began migrating to Malaysia especially in Negeri Sembilan centuries ago and their influence lingers prominently.

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Historians can trace the origins of Siamese Malaysians to the early 1900s. Their ancestors were living in the Malaysian states that belonged to Siam until the Anglo-Siamese Treaty. The 1909 agreement transferred Siamese rights over the states of Kelantan, Trengganu, Kedah, Perlis and their adjacent islands to the British government. The agreement defined the Malaysian and Thai boundaries that we know today.

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Rumah gadang is an iconic Minangkabau architecture. Due to its big size, it often serves as space for extended family members to gather.

Characteristics:

1. The Roof. The most captivating feature of this building is its upward-curved roof, designed to resemble the horns of a buffalo in honor of the buffalo's symbolic role in Minangkabau society.

2. Flooring. The floors of the rumah gadang are raised above the ground. The purpose of the elevated floor is not only does emphasize the house's stature. It also functions in improving air circulation and as protection from floods.

3. Size and layout. The house is often large and spacious. the sizing determined by the wealth and social status of the family that owns it. Each space serves its very own specific purposes.

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1. Materials. Traditionally built using wooden materials. Timber wood sourced locally. The walls are made using wooden panels or bamboos. The light wooden materials assist with providing proper ventilation suitable for the humid weather.

2. Serambi (front porch). Represents privacy between the family and the outside world. It also serves as a welcome space where guests are received. The serambi is often adorned with intricate carvings.

3. Columns and pillars. Also known as tiang, they are a key part of the structure's integrity and aesthetic. Often scattered and ornately carved.

4. Windows. The house contains large windows that allow ventilation and designed to keep the interior of the house cold in the tropical climate.

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The original houses from Sumatra are a tad bit different compared to the ones in Negeri Sembilan. This is proof of the Malay influence on these houses. Example, the adaptation of heritage houses in Negeri Sembilan can be seen in the slightly curved roof shape or the long roof design with only a gentle arch, whereas traditional Minangkabau houses feature more prominently curved and pointed roofs. (Ismail, 2024)

1. Buffalo horn roof. The buffalo horn, which has profound cultural significance in addition to being a design element, is represented by the curved roof. A staple of the Minangkabau people's agrarian way of life, the buffalo frequently appears in significant rituals like weddings and burials.

2. Family and community. A representation of community strength and family harmony. It illustrates how crucial solidarity, collaboration, and respect for one another are to the Minangkabau people. Decisions are taken there, rituals are performed, and the silaturahim is strengthened.

3. Wooden carvings. The Rumah Gadang's walls and ceilings are frequently embellished with elaborate wood carvings that represent symbolic themes. These carvings stand for family identification, spirituality, and the natural world. Flowers, birds, and geometric shapes are common themes that have deeper connotations in Minangkabau culture and cosmology.

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Solidaritas. (2020, June 10). Kedatangan masyarakat Minangkabau ke Negeri Sembilan. SOLIDARITAS. https://solidaritas.my/kedatangan-masyarakat-minangkabau-ke-negeri-sembilan/

Hayati Ismail, N. (2024, February 6). Evolusi rumah warisan Negeri Sembilan. BHarian. https://www.bharian.com.my/rencana/sastera/2024/02/1209394/evolusi-rumah-warisan-negeri-sembilan

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Sahibil, Z. & Univeriti Malaysia Sabah. (2019). THE CONCEPT AND THE SPACE DESIGN OF BAJAU LAUT TRADITIONAL HOUSE. Borneo Research Journal, 42–56.

file:///C:/Users/Lenovo/Downloads/The_Concept_and_the_Space_Design_of_Baja.pdf

Bajau Laut di Semporna: Komuniti Warisan Maritim yang Unik. (n.d.). WadahDBP. https://wadahdbp.my/titisan-pena/bajau-laut-di-semporna-komuniti-warisan-maritim-yang-unik/

Aziz, A. (n.d.). E 15 - Perayaan Regatta Lepa : Hari Raya Masyarakat Bajau Semporna. https://azniaziz.blogspot.com/2010/02/perayaan-regatta-lepa.html

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Bajau Laut di Semporna: Komuniti Warisan Maritim yang Unik

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The Lun Bawang ethnic community originates from and resides in the interior highlands of Borneo—specifically in North Kalimantan, Brunei, Sabah, and Sarawak. In Sarawak, they are categorized as part of the Orang Ulu (upriver people) community. The term Lun Bawang means "native people" or "indigenous people." In the past, the Lun Bawang were formerly known as the Murut (Utusan sarawak, 2022).

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Longhouse is a co-housing concept housing typology that often can be found within the indigenous communities in Borneo. A housing concept where a collective of families made a pact to built and stay as a community in the form of a longhouse. The architecture of a Longhouse are commonly known with the shared public long corridor that goes along the longitudinal of the Longhouse, where communal activities are often being conducted by the communities (Riong & Aminuddin, 2018).

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(photo sourced from Mari Mari Cultural Village)

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1. Ruai.

The ruai serves as a community hall. It is a space where activities such as meetings, gatherings, weddings, trials, Gawai festivals, and family ceremonies are held. The ruai is also used as a place for rest and relaxation, and where men carry out tasks such as weaving, sewing fishing nets, making fish traps (bubu), and cleaning hunting tools. (Budaya Warisan Blog, 2011)

2. Bilik Keluarga (private units/family rooms).

This family room serves as both a living area and a bedroom. It contains furniture and belongings owned by the family. The room also functions as a space for women to chat and entertain female guests. Men are not allowed to enter the room except under certain circumstances.

3. Dapur (Kitchen).

There is an area designated for storing drinking water or for washing dishes. In longhouses without a water supply, water must be carried from the river. In addition, a wood stove or gas stove is placed in the kitchen and dining area.

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1. Bamboo.

Walls, ceilings and partitions of the house were made out of bamboo due to its light weight and flexibility. Also used as flooring that allows airflow and drainage.

2. Rattan and vines.

Before nails became a common item, the Lundayeh tribe used rattans and vines around the area as a binding material.

3. Atap (roof).

The most commonly seen item used for the roofs were nipah palm or sago palm leaves that were thoroughly layered and attached to bamboo rafters.

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Sarawak, U. (2022, August 9). Kenali masyarakat Lun Bawang - UTUSAN SARAWAK. UTUSAN SARAWAK. https://utusansarawak.com.my/kenali-masyarakat-lun-bawang/

Riong, A., Aminuddin, A., & University of Malaya. (2018). SPACE AND SOCIALITY IN A LUNDAYEH COMMUNITY KAMPUNG KABAN LONG HOUSE IN SIPITANG, SABAH.

file:///C:/Users/Lenovo/Downloads/09.pdf

CIRI-CIRI RUMAH PANJANG. http://budayawarisan-nasional.blogspot.com/2011/11/ciri-ciri-rumah-panjang.html

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There are a number of Siam/ Thai structures scattered around the northern regions of Malaysia especially in Kedah and Kelantan as they are boarders to Thailand. The closer to the boarders you get, the more prominent the Siam culture gets. From exotic food stalls to unique looking roofs, their spark is unmistakable. I will provide a list of Wats and Siam villages below.

Kelantan:

1. Wat Phothivihan.
Completed in 1979 and is famous for its Reclining Buddha statue (Malaysia Traveller, n.d). Classic Siamese temple architecture with tiered roofs, naga finials, and vibrant color schemes.

2. Wat Machimmaram.

The height of the sitting Buddha is equivalent to a 10-storey building. It took 10 years to complete and cost RM 4 million. It is surrounded by several significant Buddha statues and decorated with dragon carvings. The sitting Buddha is the largest sitting Buddha in Southeast Asia (Tourism Kelantan, 2019).

3. Wat Mai Suwankhiri.

Another important temple showing Siamese form in a Malay rural setting, with cultural exchanges visible in the local woodwork and festival practices celebrated.

Kedah:

1. Wat Nikrodharam.

Located in between Jalan Telok Wanjah and Jalan Stadium, this landmark of Alor Setar was built back in 1968 - making this Siamese style temple one of the biggest and oldest Buddhist temples in Alor Setar. (GoKayu, n.d.).

2. Wat Prothivihan.

Not to be confused with the one in Kelantan, although possessing the same name this Wat is located in Jitra.

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The details on Siamese-malay architecture truly arouse my curiosity. They are so intricate and captivating that you just can't help but stare.

1. Guardian Figures / ร่มเกล้า (Yaksha, Lions, and Garuda)

Located at entrances, gateways and stairways.

Yaksha: Mythological giants or demons, often depicted as fierce guardians at temple entrances.

Garuda: A bird-like creature, usually associated with Vishnu, symbolizes power, protection, and the destruction of evil.

Lions: Symbolize strength, protection, and courage.

2. Naga / มังกร (Mythical serpent)

Commonly found on stair railings, entrances and sometimes even rooflines. They symbolize the protection of the building and represent guardship, fertility and the bridge between spiritual and earthly realms.

3. Lotus motif / บัว

The lotus flower represents a metaphor for the Buddha. This beautiful flower blooms in the middle of a swamp, symbolizing the possibility for every individual to achieve Enlightenment, regardless of their starting point (Omyoki, 2024).

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Wat Phothivihan, Tumpat, Kelantan. (n.d.). Malaysia Traveller.

https://www.malaysia-traveller.com/wat-phothivihan.html

User, S. (2019, April 8). Tokong wat machimmaram (Buddha duduk). https://tourism.kelantan.my/index.php/ms/pelancongan/tempat-bersejarah/tokong/tokong-duduk

Omyoki. (2024, November 25). bunga Teratai. OMYOKI Bijoux Ethniques Chics Et Contemporains. https://www.omyoki.com/ms/pemikiran-gaya-hidup-perjalanan/bunga-Teratai/?srsltid=AfmBOopQoP61YZ83RtyrdGBrWl0Ij9oERQt7DPCDHNvuA-Q8Fn4mqsTs