UNDERSTANDING THE MALAYSIAN NATIONAL ARCHITECTURAL IDENTITY: CASE STUDIES ANALYSIS

Abstract

The crisis of Malaysian architectural identity is often the subject of discussion among local scholars in their writings and discourses. The highlighted architectural identities usually lack local authenticity and fail to represent Malaysia architecturally. Therefore, it is important to understand the ideology of the national identity of architecture and how to implement it in the local architectural scenario. This study compiles the ideologies and perspectives of scholars by conducting a literature review and direct observation of the roles, typologies, and themes associated with national architectural identity. It is then discussed further using a case study of local Malaysian architecture to see its clear relationship from the context of the national identity of architecture. An interpretive approach was employed to analyze various architectural elements linked to national identity, with a narrative method applied to convey the findings. Using local case studies enriches the understanding of Malaysia's architectural identity, further exploring the country's architectural heritage. This paper investigates national architectural identity from community and governmental viewpoints, focusing on project identity, sub-national, supra-national, and personal identities. It also explores typologies such as natural, artificial (manufactured), and forced identity, as well as themes like typology, memory (memorial), and geopolitics. The analysis reveals that the roles of architecture clarify its purpose, typologies categorise its forms, and the themes help uncover the deeper meanings embedded in architectural designs. The Malaysian architectural scenario is full of amazing ideas, and this paper helps develop some guidelines for understanding the national identity of Malaysia for reference not only for architects but also for all Malaysians.