Asian Architecture (ARC 60403) Project 1 : Research in Asian Architecture

Topic and Issue Proposal (10%) Due Date : 9 October 2018

Group Members​​ : Assessed by​​ :

1. CARMEN CHAN SHEN WEN 0326485
2. CHEN LIAN LIAN 0333357
3. CHRISTAL WONG CHING LING 0326715
4. HO YEN LIANG 0326660
5. KHOO SUE LING 0326470
6. LEE XING SHEN 0327496
7. NURUL RIHANA BT. K.K. SIHABUTHEEN 0326468

Research Title​​ :
Analysis on the conservation of the architectural identity of shophouses in
Jonker Street, Melaka

Issues/Problem Statement​​ :
The traditional shophouses along Jonker Street, Melaka contain a rich history of occupancy,
usage and craftsmanship. The architectural styles and spatial characteristics that created the
identity of these shophouses are key manifestations of influences derived from the cultures of
the inhabitants, the craftsmen and the colonials. The importance of this identity statement
realise the conservation works in these shophouses, which resulted in the achieved recognition
from official stakeholders, both locally and globally. However, as the tourism and infrastructure
development expands dramatically and simultaneously as the popularity of Jonker Street where
the shophouses reside increases, the purpose of these conservation works will be threatened
with diminishing significance from important parties such as developers and even organisations
responsible and the community itself. This will lead to the deterioration of the architectural
identities of these shophouses if the purpose of their existence that are supposed to hold sense
of place of this area is not appreciated. Therefore, there is a need to study how architectural
conservation works to protect these traditional shophouses in Jonker Street.

Research Questions​​ :
1. What defines a shophouse in Jonker Street?
2. How does the restoration regulations and guidelines from stakeholders (UNESCO,
MPBM, ICOSMOS) affect the conservation of shophouses in Jonker Street?
3. What are the methods of conserving a shophouse in Jonker Street?
4. How does the adaptive reuse of heritage shophouses in Jonker Street change its
architectural values?
5. What are the challenges of conserving shophouses in Jonker Street?
Summary of Research​​ :
This research is to conduct an analysis on the conservation of the architectural identity of
shophouses in Jonker Street, Melaka. It also identifies and studies the architectural image of the
shophouses in Jonker Street, the conservation works to protect the architectural image of these
shophouses, and the effects of the conservation works on these shophouses and challenges
that affect the process. To conduct this study, the research is done through literature reviews on
conservations of shophouses in Jonker Street in journals, research papers and websites.
Throughout the research, it is found that the adaptive reuse approach is more feasible as a
conservation method in this area. However, it also also suggested that although the tangible
part of these heritage buildings remain, the intangible characteristics do not. An urgent increase
of awareness upon the stakeholders and the community to appreciate these shophouses is
required to combat this issue. Therefore, the conservation works should be effective enough to
sustain the architectural identity of the shophouses in Jonker Street in order to preserve the
history and authenticity so that the future generations realise the existence of these buildings
and experience them themselves, hence appreciating them.

Keywords​ : architectural conservation, architectural identity, conservation methods,

stakeholders, adaptive reuse, effects

Concept Mapping​​ :
References​​ :

Baroldin, N. M., & Din, S. A. (2012). Documentation and Conservation Guidelines of Melaka Heritage Shophouses.
Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences​, ​50​, 192-203. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.08.027

Guide 3 – Case Study: Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia) | UNESCO
Sustainable Tourism Toolkit. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://whc.unesco.org/sustainabletourismtoolkit/guide-3-–-case-study-melaka-and-george-town-historic-cities-straits-
malacca-malaysia

Ismail, N., Masron, T., & Ahmad, A. (2014). Cultural Heritage Tourism in Malaysia: Issues and Challenges. ​SHS Web
of Conferences​, ​12​, 01059. doi:10.1051/shsconf/20141201059

Mohd Baroldin, N., & Mohd Din, S. A. (2018). Conservation Planning Guidelines and Design of Melaka Heritage
Shophouses. ​Asian Journal of Environment-Behaviour Studies​, ​3​(8), 61. doi:10.21834/aje-bs.v3i8.279

Penang 'senget' shophouses | The Malaysian Insight. (2017, December 26). Retrieved from
https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/g/29371

Rebirth of the Malacca Shophouse: A typological research: Traditional Values in a Contemporary World | TU Delft
Repositories. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://repository.tudelft.nl/islandora/object/uuid%3A3f87afa3-4fe7-493c-9e43-9ea2e45ddfbe

THE SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURAL VALUES OF ECLECTIC STYLE SHOPHOUSES CASE STUDY: SUN YAT
SEN MUSEUM PENANG, MALAYSIA | Zwain | Panggung. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://simlitmas.isbi.ac.id/index.php/panggung/article/view/253/254