In the small town of Kuala Kangsar in Perak, two architects are leading the way to preserve this vital aspect of the country’s heritage.
Situated beside the historic Victoria Bridge in Karai is Kampung Warisan Budaya, a one-of-a-kind “village” celebrating the country’s amazing Malay architecture.
In this spot are 11 replicas of traditional kampung houses, one representing each state in peninsular Malaysia, and all connected to each other under one roof.
Born from the vision of a kampung boy turned architect, Kampung Warisan Budaya welcomed its first guests in November after a year of construction.
Founded by Ar Mior Zawari Hassan, an acclaimed architect and native of Kuala Kangsar, these kampung houses are now managed by his son, Mir Zafriz Mior Zawari, who is also an architect.
In conjunction with World Heritage Day today, Mir shared with FMT Lifestyle the sad reality that inspired this initiative.
“We noticed that traditional kampung houses were slowly disappearing. My grandparents had a house in Karai and during the festive season, we would visit various other houses,” he said, recalling his childhood days in Karai.
But it was the Rumah Bumbung Limas, popular from 1940 to 1960, that fascinated him the most. Found in many parts of Malaysia, the house is characterised by a roof with five interconnected ridges, hence the name “limas”.
“As a kid I was impressed by the different variations of Rumah Bumbung Limas in Karai. Unfortunately, there are only a few left. Every year, about three or four of these houses are demolished to be rebuilt as new homes,” he said.
Heartbroken at the destruction of these heritage homes, Mir’s father took charge.
“As architects we decided something needed to be done to create awareness for the current and future generations,” Mir said.
Kampung Warisan Budaya, which doubles as a hotel, showcases Malay architectural styles from 1840 to 1940, using modern materials but keeping to timeless concepts.
“Malay architecture is unique compared to others,” Mir explained, “It is very pragmatic and everything has a meaning and reason to it. It is not merely a shed.”
Each state’s kampung house – like Terengganu’s Rumah Bujang, and Penang’s Rumah Gajah Menyusu – is evidence of the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the Malays back then.
From maximising ventilation with high roofs to elevating houses to withstand floods, the designs met the needs of the people.
“A few days before Hari Raya, I remember that all the elders would prepare dishes such as bubur lambuk and dodol under the house.” And this was not merely a family affair but a communal one.
“The inexistence of physical barriers in the kampung house promoted the sharing and cooperation between the Malays, a fundamental aspect in our culture,” Mir added.
One house in Kampung Sayong Lembah, dating back to the early 1900s, still exists in its original form.
The country’s oldest surviving Malay house, Rumah Kutai is constructed entirely of bamboo, palm leaves, and wood, with not a single nail used.
“The Perak kampung house started as a ‘dangau’, which is a small hut. This later developed into the Kutai house, ‘kutai’ meaning old,” said Mir.
Although it appears to be a small structure today, he explained that a portion of the house is missing, as evidenced by the empty columns towards the back. It is speculated that a fire destroyed the “rumah dapur”, leaving only the “rumah ibu” standing.
“Usually, the land is owned by so many relatives that they’re not able to sell it, leaving the house abandoned,” he said.
Owing to the lack of knowledge in architectural preservation, Mir believes many kampung houses will eventually crumble to the ground.
“Nothing lasts forever,” he acknowledged. “We must use what’s readily available like modern materials, but preserve traditional architecture to ensure sustainability across eras. That’s the way to go.”
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Kampung Warisan Budaya
Lot 1380 (B), Karai, Enggor,
Kuala Kangsar, Perak
Contact: 019-559 1380