Central Market Kuala Lumpur

CENTRAL MARKET Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Central Market, Jalan Hang Kasturi, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Front view of Central Market. [Primary source].

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CONTENTS

IntroducEon 3 Historical Background 4 LocaEon 7 Architecture Style 8 ConstrucEon & Materials 11 Architectural Elements 14 Architectural Components 17 Conclusion 20 References 21 Main entrance of Central Market from inside the building. [Primary source].

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INTRODUCTION

CENTRAL MARKET KUALA LUMPUR, also as known as Pasar Seni or Pasar Budaya, is presently a center for Malaysian culture, arts and craWs. It is a fruit of an effecEve adapEve reprocess of the current old historical edifice. It contributes as a commercial cultural center that is devoted to the conservaEon and aucEon of Malaysia’s typical handicraWs.

A public historical building, Kuala Lumpur Central Market, scheduled for demoliEon for renovaEon was taken over by private sector, preserved and reused as a “cultural market” in the phase of economic downturn during 1980’s. It has used as the city’s wet market for 50 years.

The history of Central Market must be traced for public awareness to appreciate and conserve. Besides, there are conclusions to be drawn from this, the first major subjecEve reuse project of a private developer. The success of the Central Market in its new responsibility gives similar buildings in the Old Town a new life. Consequently, architecturally interesEng buildings should not be destroyed for new development. ConstrucEon chronologies of Central Market are concise and classified into chronology before, during and aWer adapEve reuse.

Exteriors and interiors Central Market. [Primary source].

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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

CENTRAL MARKET originated back to 1888 and served as an open wet market for inhabitants and En miners in Kuala Lumpur. AWerwards, during the expansion of open markets, a fixed structure was constructed to house of all merchants.

Referring to Marketplace (2008) handouts, Central Market had experienced addiEonal growths in 1889, 1895, 1920 and 1921. In the 1930s, the fixed layout was supplementary improvised to have the present size and art deco fascia. It was named Pasar Besar Kuala Lumpur and used as wet market. In its successful period as wet market, Central Market was the spot to go for day-‐to-‐day provisions for the populaEon.

Central Market circa 1900s. November 8, 2014. from: www.malaysian-‐explorer.com/centralMarket.html

A typical poultry stall at the Central Market in the 1950’s. November 8, 2014. from: www.centralmarket.com.my

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In 1936, Kuala Lumpur Sanitary Board invented tenders for the construcEon of the Central Market. Messrs T.Y Lee was appointed the architect and designer whilst Mr. R.H Steed was the town engineer. 21 contractors bid for the project which was eventually awarded to contractor Brizary & Co. from Singapore for a contract sum of $249,000.00. However, the original cost escalated to $330,000.00 in view of the addiEonal deco works which eventually saw the size of Central Market measuring 123.7 meters long, 60.8 meters wide and 7.9 meters high, all cladded with “Calorex” glass to minimize the entry of too much sunlight. The building had the capacity to accomodate three cold rooms for frozen meats, 170 vegetable and fruit stalls, 158 fish stalls, 36 beef stalls, 27 pork stalls and 20 poultry stalls.


Central Market in 1888. November 8, 2014. from: www.malaysian-‐explorer.com/centralMarket.html

Exterior of Central Market in 1888. November 8, 2014. from: www.centralmarket.com.my

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Throughout construcEon phase of Dayabumi on the opposite bank of the Klang River, the market along with the old shop houses north and south of it obtained by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to be destroyed for the Dayabumi Phase V, an elaboraEon project of commercial offices and hotels. Referring to Marketplace (2008) leaflet, The Malaysian Heritage Society producEvely pleaded against the terminaEon of Central Market. In 1985, it was refurbished and seoled into a center for arts and craWs. On 15 April 1986, it was publically opened and recognized as Pasar Budaya Ell now with many shops within its building trading a variety of goods varying from souvenirs to clothing. Melewar Leisure Sdn. Bhd., a minor of Kumpulan Melewar Berhad took the possession of the building and used to encourage the Malaysian Culture through the aucEons of Malaysian Arts and HandicraWs goods.

The Old Market was originally constructed by Yap Ah Loy. The BriEsh government ulEmately acquired the market and prolonged it to 250 feet long and 90 feet wide. Meanwhile, the floor was covered with concrete Eles, the walls were covered with wood and the roof with zinc sheets.


A view from the river back of the Central Market aWer its conversion from a wetmarket to a Centre for Culture, Arts and HanicraWs. November 8, 2014.

from: www.centralmarket.com.my

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Majalah Arkitek in 1986, Central Market, which served to be recognized as “the biggest room in Kuala Lumpur”, was then announced a Centre for Malaysian Culture, Arts and HandicraWs. In 2004, Central Market Sdn. Bhd. acquired the lease from Melewar Group via an open tender by Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Bhd and Ell then, the Central Market has been controlled by Central Market Sdn. Bhd. According to our site visit, the Central Market has 300 shops “retailing local handicraW and texEles, souvenirs, collecEbles and restaurants”. It is also an area for cultural shows and art exposiEons.

To introduce a policy of building preservaEon for Central Market by legislaEon or via planning policies, a series of alternaEves based upon a number objecEves and eligibility is always made by the government authority, oWen with the help of conservaEon departments. Both poliEcal and economic thoughts are crucial, if a preservaEon plan is to be successfully realized. In making decisions, it is important to have a comprehension of why Central Market should be preserved. The causes for preserving Central Market are significance of tourism to the Malaysian economy and retain local culture.

BriEsh Colonial Architecture, 1997, specified that the Central Market is a cultural center that is devoted to the preservaEon and aucEons of Malaysia’s tradiEonal handicraWs. It can aid to conserve and sustain local culture so that local culture does not vanish. Apart from that, the Central Market can impart the knowledge to local people and foreigner about local culture and inculcate interest and awareness of culture. Heritage is exclusive and difficult to be subsEtuted. The Central Market is an area to lookout for talents and producEon from populaEon in Malaysia, handicraW and art for instance, among local young people.

Central Market nowadays. [Primary source].

LOCATION

CENTRAL MARKET is situated beside Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur, at the boundary of Chinatown. It is posiEoned in a walking distance from Petaling Street, which is a common tourist aoracEon. Strolling across the Leboh Pasar Besar bridge is Kuala Lumpur’s famous architectural heritage buildings, commencing with the Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad High Courts and the other buildings near the Padang Merdeka. The Central Market represents a fortunate locaEon in the center of historic Kuala Lumpur where the city was established. The place was before the ‘landing place’ of the city’s founding fathers in their exploraEon of En.

LocaEon of Central Market. November 8, 2014. from: www.google.com/maps

With its unceasing 50-‐year history as the city’s Central Market, it obtained a cachet as established business site. Kuala Lumpur’s major banks are all located in a region north. The city’s major bus terminal is found on the south. The Pasar Seni LRT staEon, which is located in a short distance from the south of the market basically, lands passengers at its entrances.

Map of Kuala Lumpur during the Yap Ah Loy era around the 1880s. November 8, 2014. from: www.centralmarket.com.my

Map of Kuala Lumpur drawn by DraWsman W.T. Wood, from the Land Office, Kuala Lumpur (1885-‐1895) and endorsed by the BriEsh Government. The map shows the Central Market which is actually south of the old market. November 8, 2014. from: www.centralmarket.com.my

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ARCHITECTURE STYLE

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CENTRAL MARKET is adopEng a market stall architecture type because it was a wet market in the past. Messrs T.Y Lee was employed as the architect and designer for the construcEon of the Central Market building. The town engineer was Mr. R.H Steed. The contractor that was selected for the project was Brizarry & Co, a company from Singapore. The total amount of money that was given for the project was $249000. The total measurement of the Central Market was 123.7 meters long, 60.8 meters wide and 7.9 meters high.

The building adopted Art Deco style that makes it very eye-‐catching compared to the other low rise buildings in Kuala Lumpur. Art Deco is a visual arts design that originated in France and became famous aWer World War 1. Art Deco style can be observed in the façade of Central Market where a great applicaEon of symmetrical geometric shapes such as the tall rectangular windows and at the entry of the building. The building has been awarded a CoronaEon Architecture Design Award in the year 1953.

Exteriors of Central Market. [Primary source].

Central market has 22 entrances. Every of them of the Central Market has two linking rings to stress on the Art Deco ideology of geometry and symmetry. The symmetrical abstract planes used at the entrance are merely the art deco parEculars. All entrances have a covering moulding to make it deliver a higher aestheEc value. Concerning the doors and windows, a blue-‐green colored Colorex glass is used. The doors have a neo-‐EgypEan step. The kind of windows used was fixed-‐picture windows. It only works to allow a sufficient amount of sunlight to penetrate.

Metal grilles on top of the main entrance. [Primary source].

ARCHITECTURE STYLE

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There are bridges connecEng the stalls to the food court and the restaurant area of the building. It is located above the central mall. There are various kind of stairs used such as spiral stairs, straight run stairs and L-‐stairs. All the stairs, excluding the emergency staircase, leads directly to the stalls above. The emergency stairs heads straight to the exit door. A passenger liW fronEng the stairs are the other way people can use to get to the restaurant area which comprises 2 ½ floors.

Staircases in the Central Market. [Primary source].

The internal parts of the Central Market also have various types of design that act as pillars. The designs are interplay of geometric forms, intenEonally to give the look of Art Deco style.

Art Deco geometric designs implemented on the pillars.

[Primary source].

ARCHITECTURE STYLE

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Shophouse-‐look of the interior. [Primary source].

The Central Market also have interior designs of structure comparable to those pre-‐war Chinese shophouse structures.

The old fashion floor Ele designs are used to make it look like it dated back into the BriEsh colonial epoch. Similar to the ones in the old shophouses in the vicinity of the central market.

Floor Eles of the interior. [Primary source].

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS

CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE

1888 – An area of 64000 sq. was used to build the Central Market. The building was 250 feet long and 90 feet wide. The floor was laid with concrete Eles, the wall clad with Ember and roof covered with zinc.

1889 – The construcEon process of Central Market was completed. This construcEon came with a cost of $48,000.

1894 – Central Market acquired some land for re-‐improvement of the overall structure. 1895 – Further extension of Central Market was done. A brick drain was added to prevent flooding during

heavy rains. 1907 – Central Market had undergone further extensions. 1912 – Central market undergoes re-‐rendering of its floor. 1920-‐21 – Further extensions was done to the building. 1923 – A new roof was added to Central Market to prevent leaks. 1930 – Central Market was claimed to be unfit to be used as a wet market as it is old as claimed by the

Sanitary Board. 1933 – Expansions that cost $167,000 were done to the building. 1934 – The Sanitary Board suggested that Central Market have to undergo further expansion to serve the

people’s needs. 1936 – Brizzary & Co, a Singaporean company won the contract to expand Central Market at a cost of

$249,000. A smaller temporary market was constructed to house the exisEng stalls during expansion process.

1938 – The expansion was completed on Eme. The temporary market was demolished, as it no longer is important.

1970s-‐80s – As KL was undergoing rapid development, there were suggesEon that Central Market be demolished as a major project consisEng of commercial buildings and hotels were proposed on that site.

1983 – The Heritage Society of Malaysia and a few NGO’s fought against the demolishment and were successful in doing so.

1986 –Central Market is reopened again to the public. 2006 – A budget was allocated for Central Market to be improvised.

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MATERIALS

CENTRAL MARKET is built from reinforced concrete. Reinforced concrete was used to give the building higher strength. Besides that, reinforced concrete helps to absorb heat and cools down the building interior, and is suitable for hot country like Malaysia.

Reinforced Concrete The glass used for the windows at the entrance consists of blue and green Calorex glass. This glass help to give a decoraEve accent as well as make the building interior look more colourful. It is also very effecEve at reducing the heat from entering the building, thus providing a cooler and more comfortable interior space. Furthermore, this glass reduces sunlight from entering the buildings.

Calorex Glass

At the highest level of the building, safety glass was used. The exact type of safety glass used is wire mesh glass. It has a grid of wire between the glasses. The wire embedded in between the glass holds the glass in place even when it cracks and prevents it from falling out. It is also more heat and fire resistant than most glasses. This type of glass used in Central Market also reduces too much heat from entering the building making the building very energy efficient.

Wire Mesh Glass

Exterior of Central Market. [Primary source].

Wire mesh glass at the main entrance of Central Market. [Primary source].

Calorex glass used for the window. [Primary source]. 12


MATERIALS

Timber

Roof beams made from Ember. [Primary source].

Steel beams under the barrel vault roof. [Primary source].

Ceramic Eles on the stairs. [Primary source].

Timber was primarily used as roof beams in Central Market. Timber roof beams have an advantage when it comes to fire safety as it does not weaken or ignite unEl the temperature reaches 250 Fahrenheit. It also does not absorb heat easily, thus providing a cooler interior environment. In addiEon, Ember gives a warm look to the building.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic Eles were used for the floor in the whole building. This type of Eles is used because it is available in many designs and colours which can be manipulated to resembles the Art Deco style of the building. Ceramic Eles were used because it is slip resistance, hence, prevenEng any visitors from slipping or hurEng themselves. It is also stain resistance and easy to maintain.

Steel

Steel is compaEble with any kind of material. Steel was primarily used as beams to support the barrel vault roof of Central Market.

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ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS

ROOF

THE FIRST ROOF of Central Market which is in 1980 is made up from zinc sheet with pitched roof design, then during extension in 1907, roof material have changed from zinc sheet to asbestos sheet and re-‐roofing process with the same material have taken in 1923. In 1936, whole building has been demolished and a new roof is made up from concrete with flat roof design added with a glazed Calorex-‐Ented skylight running along the middle atrium. In 1986, adapEve reuse has taken place, and a pair of barrel-‐vaulted roof made up from Calorex-‐Ented glass, steel trusses and metal sheet has been added on the roof to enhance natural lighEng.

Generally, roof in Central Market consists of three types, which are barrel vault roof, skylight glazed roof and flat roof.

The barrel vault roof over the atrium has two funcEons spaEally; firstly, it will directs the user upwards to the roof as well as pracEcally housing the hydraulic liW structure, and secondly, its form imposes a second axis at right angle to the skylight. A strong moulded frieze runs right along the top at roof level, Ees the whole together.

The central mall is kept clear with its strong axial glazed skylight roof, breached at the center. The central skylight roof running the enEre 401-‐meter length of the building was glazed with Calorex of a lighter Ent. Barrel vault roof built from Calorex-‐Ented glass, steel trusses and metal sheet. [Primary source].

Skylight glazed roof. [Primary source].

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DOORS & WINDOWS

Windows and doors before 1936 is made up from Ember and changed to Calorex-‐Ented glass in 1936 during restoraEon of the building.

Basically, the doors and windows of this building consist of 508 square meters blue-‐green coloured Calorex glass. 24 step-‐headed and metal grilled entrances with two main ones at either end of a central roof-‐lit mall open out to the surroundings on four sides. Metal grilles with a stepped moEf infill over all the entrances are the only decoraEon apart from four plaster mouldings on the main entrance.

Main entrance of Central Market. [Primary source].

The doors and windows are g l a z e d w i t h 3 / 1 6 ” d i sEncEve b lue -‐g reen coloured Calorex rolled glass, which lets in only 20% of the suns heat and 60% of daylight. All windows are fixed window, as the bu i l d i ng i s f u l l y a i r -‐condiEoned.

Stepped moEf (shown in red square) resembles Art Deco style from the main entrance. [Primary source].

Metal grilles (pointe by red arrow) infill the upper part of the door/entrance as decoraEon. [Primary source].

Window of Central Market. [Primary source].

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FLOOR

Variety of ceramic floor Eled designs. [Primary source].

In 1888, BriEsh government has design Central Market with concrete Eles and floor re-‐rendering process with the same material taken places in 1912, and it remained unEl 1986. AWer that, the floor have been Eled with two types of Eles which are terracooa Ele and ceramic Ele Ell today.

Most of the floor in ground level and mezzanine level are Eled, only at the restaurant side on rooWop is not Eled. Floor Eled are designed with variety of design and colours where path in central market come with different design of Eles made up from ceramic.

During adapEve reuse rehabilitaEon in 1986, three sky bridges, six double storey clusters and a mezzanine floor have been built in the Central Market. Some new columns have been built to support some of new structure including water tanks, all columns and beams are made up from concretes aWer 1986 and before that, are made up from Ember.

OTHER ELEMENTS

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Concrete beams and columns

Central Market interior. [Primary source].

ARCHITECTURAL COMPONENTS

MAIN ENTRANCE

Parking area and main entrance of Central Market. [Primary source].

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THE MAIN ENTRANCE of Central Market is faced with a parking area of 175 spaces. This is beneficial for the visitors of Central Market as the distance from the parking to the entrance is very less, reducing the walking Eme. A help center is located just aWer accessing into the building through the main entrance. This centre provides informaEon about different types of shops in central market, along with its locaEon.

Entrance to Central Market. [Primary source].

Ground floor plan of Central Market. November 8, 2014. from: www.centralmarket.com.my

To the main entrance.

A close look at the main entrance. [Primary source].


SHOPS

Shops along the Straits Chinese in Central Market. It is well-‐decorated, with lanterns to give a Chinese look and feel in

the shops. [Primary source].

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Shops at Central Market mainly consist of anEque shops selling old anEque goods. Most of the shops are located on the ground floor of the building. Other types of shops are also seen, with a number of shops associated with fashion, souvenirs, handcraWs, and furniture. A very few number of department stores are also seen. It is important to note that all most all these varieEes of shops are designed and decorated to offer an anEque and a tradiEonal look which is pleasing for the eye.

An accessories and handicraWs shop. The interior and furniture offers a tradiEonal look. [Primary source].

RESTAURANTS

It is noEced that almost the whole of leW half of the central market consists of dine in and fast food restaurants with a few number of shops. These restaurants are located on the mezzanine floor of the building. Like other shops in Central Market, some of the restaurants have an anEque look and sell tradiEonal Malay food. On the other hand, there are fast food restaurants such as, Subway as well. There is also a food court upstairs offering different varieEes of food such as Malay food, Thai cuisines, Arabic and Chinese foods.

Central Market food court. [Primary source]. Nyonya restaurant. [Primary source].


KASTURI WALK

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Kasturi Walk, besides Central Market. [Primary source].

A walkway called ‘Kasturi walk’ which is transformed from the former Lorong Kasturi is seen beside the Central Market which allows visitors to browse different types of Malay souvenirs and sells authenEc ‘kuih’ (or Malay cake)s, dim sum, fresh tropical fruit juices and an array of other delicacies. This is one of the city’s most exciEng spots as it offers interesEng retail and food and beverage kiosks.

CENTRAL MARKET WALKWAY

The exit near to Subway is accompanied with a walkway commonly called as the Central Market Walkway. The walkway is mostly used by visitors of Central Market as a mode of circulaEon to other places. Special events also will be organized in this area on some occasions.

Central Market Walkway. [Primary source].

CONCLUSION

CENTRAL MARKET presently is a cultural market and the most successful example of adapEve reuse the exisEng historical building. The praise goes to Heritage of Malaysia. The awareness of Central Market is a fruit of many features. They comprise increasing public awareness on heritage subjects, suitable economic condiEons, poliEc support, clarified developers with definite ideas, and dedicated designer. Public reacEon is quite tremendous Ell now. The perfect locaEon must preserve its conEnued success.

The achievement of the Central Market in its new responsibility gives comparable buildings in the Old Town a bright future. Its historical atmosphere is conserved and even improved. ConservaEon might be a confident planning tool for urban development in countries, which are in the third world category. Government takes precauEon of these cultural and heritage spots so as to value the world heritage.

By the preservaEon and adapEve reuse, we try to maintain the sense of human scale and homeliness that the heritage buildings possess simultaneously preserving our heritage and our disEncEveness in the heart of the city.

Central Market. [Primary source].

Exteriors and interiors Central Market. [Primary source].

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REFERENCES

Central Market Kuala Lumpur. (2014, November 8). Retrieved from hop://www.centralmarket.com.my More About This Experience. (2014, November 10). Retrieved from hop://www.malaysia.com/central-‐market-‐culture.html Central Market, Kuala Lumpur. (2014, November 10). Retrieved from hop://www/malaysia-‐explorer.com/centralMarket.html Charles, V., & Carl, K. H. (2013). Art Deco. New York: Parkstone Press InternaEonal.

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PREPARED BY: Bibi Ameerah Peerun (0313939) Azrin Bin Fauzi (0317770) Ivan Ling Chyi Rui (0313583) Naseem Naajid (0311649) Visagan A/L Arudselvan (0313710) Tutor: Puan Norita Johar

Main entrance of Central Market. [Primary source]. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture ARCHITECTURE CULTURE & HISTORY 2 (ARC60203) Project 2: Web Book

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Central Market Kuala Lumpur

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