FAÇADE AESTHETIC OF NATION BUILDINGS IN MALAYSIA: A VISUAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Following Malaysia's Declaration of Independence, the architecture of the era adopted an international modern style for many government buildings and mosques, heavily influenced by British architecture. However, Malaysia’s diverse population, including Malays, Chinese, Indian, and other ethnic groups, significantly shaped its architectural landscape. This paper examines how the facades of key national buildings—Stadium Merdeka, the Parliament Building, and the National Mosque—convey the idea of national unity. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research analyses the visual aspects of these facades through nine Visual Design Principles (VDP): harmony, unity, balance, rhythm, emphasis, proportion, contrast, repetition, and movement. A scoring system is employed to evaluate each facade's visibility and significance based on these principles. The study reveals that architectural style and colour are critical visual elements that influence perceptions of historical building facades. The findings enhance our understanding of how people evaluate images of these facades, offering guidance for architects and designers in future projects. It is noted that harmony and unity are interconnected concepts, with the Parliament Building scoring highest in both. In contrast, the other buildings face challenges in demonstrating visual rhythm and emphasis. Ultimately, the study underscores the complex relationship between architectural design and cultural identity, concluding that these iconic structures contribute to Malaysia's evolving architectural identity, reflecting the nation’s aspirations for unity in diversity.