Architecture of Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia, a country in the South East Asia…Do not forget that Kuala Lumpur is the first Asian city to build the world tallest building (Petronas Twin Towers in the 90’s) which have never been attempted before by any Asian cities like Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore,etc by the time…
there are over 200 highrise buildings in the city itself, creating a beautiful skyline over the city…making the city to be ranked 8th in the world best skylines ranking…
Architecture of KL is a blend of old colonial influences, Asian traditions, Malay Islamic inspirations and modernism. Most of the KL’s colonial buildings are built in the end of 19th and early 20th century…it is very hard to find a city around the world that has buildings with so many different types of architectural influences…
Rapid economic growth from 80’s to 90’s allowed more buildings built in the city with local influences…In late 90’s and 20’s, post-modern style is incorporated into the city’s architecture…
there are a lot of architectural influences in buildings at KL…mainly are of Neo Moorish (Mughal), Tudor & Victorian, Grecian-Spanish, Malay, Islamic, Late Modernism & Post-Modern.
Neo Moorish (Mughal):
- Colonial buildings built during the colonization of Great Britain in Malaya (the former name of Peninsular Malaysia)
- Prominent Examples:
(a) Sultan Abdul Samad Building
(b) Stesen Kereta Api Tanah Melayu (Peninsular Malaysia Railway Station)
(c) Jamek Mosque
Tudor and Victorian
- mainly at the turn of 20th century
- design is modified to suit the climate of Malaysia.
- Prominent examples:
(a) Royal Selangor Club (Tudor architecture, built in between 1910 and 1929, featured large exposed wooden beams in half-timbered walls)
(b) St. Mary Cathedral (Neo-Gothic architecture)
(c) Carcosa Seri Negara (Neo-Gothic architecture)
(d) Victoria Institution (Victorian architecture)
(e) Methodist Boys School (Victorian architecture, this is my former secondary school)
(f) Convent Bukit Nanas School (Victorian architecture)
(g) Central Market (Victorian architecture)
Grecian-Spanish
- Prior to Second World War, many shophouses are built in the old city center.
- these shophouses drew inspiration from Straits Chinese and European traditions.
- Prominent examples:
(a) Chinatown (Petaling Street)
(b) St. John’s Institution.
Malay
- design inspiration from traditional Malay items.
- constructed in the late 80’s and 90’s.
- Prominent examples:
(a) Menara Telekom (resembling a slanted cut of a bamboo trunk)
(b) Menara Maybank (design inspired by the steath of a keris, the Malay traditional dagger)
(c) Istana Budaya (design inspiration from minangkabau head dress)
Islamic
- buildings with Islamic motifs or geometric principles in their design.
- Islam is the official religion of Malaysia.
- Prominent examples:
(a) Dayabumi Complex.
(b) National Mosque.
Late Modernism and Post-Modern
- KL’s central business district shifted from the old city center to Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC).
- Many new and tall skyscrapers fill the skyline of KL.
- Buildings mainly covered with glass facades.
- Prominent examples:
(a) Petronas Twin Towers (world tallest twin buildings, former world tallest buildings, current world third and fourth tallest buildings)
(b) Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
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Despite the global downturn that struck the whole world seriously last year, the development of Kuala Lumpur is still seen progressing.
There are quite a number of supertall projects currently under construction in the city of Kuala Lumpur especially in the city center.
Examples of these projects are:
(a) Four Seasons Center (will be located beside the Petronas Twin Towers, will be over 250m when completed, the height is still not confirmed)
(b) Charigali Headquarters Tower (or known as Lot C of KLCC, 267m, 58 floors, will be located beside the Petronas Twin Towers)
(c) The Pavillion (height is not confirmed), will be around 160 – 210m)
(d) The Troika Tower 3 (204m, 50 floors)
(e) Millenium Residence (228m, 57 floors)
The progress of the city is pretty clear, just by looking at the skyline of Kuala Lumpur. Refer to the diagram below for more information:
Little history of Kuala Lumpur:
- Founded by Raja Abdullah.
- Developed by Yap Ah Loy from a tin-mining area to a big town.
- Recognized as the global city, the only global city in Malaysia.
—————- Love my city KL! —————
* Some information in this post is obtained from wikipedia. I have included some of my information in here based on my knowledge on the architecture of my hometown city too.All the pictures available here are not owned by me, there are taken from the internet.
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February 9, 2009 at 6:40 pm
i like your buildings i would like to know if you have any pictures, photographs, about Architecture of buildings, because i am doing a GCSE project on architecture of skyliners.
February 10, 2009 at 1:16 pm
i do have quite a lot of pictures of buildings especially in my city, Kuala Lumpur…actually, it is very easy to search for beautiful pictures on architecture and buildings through the internet…
i am an architectural student too, currently studying in local private university…i had interest in architecture since when i am a child…
i oso have some pictures of iconic buildings which are distinctive in their design, such as Shanghai World Financial Center, CCTV Headquarters Tower, Bird Nest Stadium, etc…
Can i know what is GCSE project? and where are u from?
You can view my previous posts on architecture of Bird Nest Stadium, Shanghai World Financial Center, Taipei 101 and Petronas Twin Towers…