Restoration Of 88 Units Of Traditional Malay Timber Houses At Morten Village, Melaka

History

  • In Melaka City, Melaka, Malaysia, there is a historical traditional Malay village known as The Morten Village (Malay: Kampung Morten). The town is named after Frederick Joseph Morten, a British land revenue collector in British Malaya.
  • The area used to be a quiet place during the 1960s and 1970s. Subsequently it was designated a history village under Malacca’s Preservation and Conservation Enactment in 1989, the region has since developed to become a popular tourist destination.
  • There are more than 100 typical Malay homes.
  • Traditional Malay “Kampung” house can be clearly seen with attractive colour schemes.
Kg Morten with Melaka City as backdrop
The surau forming a major landmark to the site
Kg Morten with Melaka City as backdrop
The Southern Hospital neighboring to Kg Morten

Urban planning concept

  • To create various zones within the site and form a development framework for the future development of the site into a quality heritage site based on UNESCO guidelines in conjunction with the government intention to put Melaka onto World Heritage Map.
  • To link up the site within existing tourism infrastructure such as the river boat cruise and boardwalk.
  • The proposed Pedestrian Street Mall (Future Development) has the potential to bring in Tourism -related commercial activities into the site to enhance the commercial value of the site and be self-sustainable.

Architectural Strategy

  • Colour Scheme to compliment the zoning plan and to respect the existing colour variety.
  • Upgrade the roofing and finishes – to have a uniform outlook for the whole village yet each house has own unique features and attributes.
  • Repair dilapidated structure.

Repair Strategy

  • The repair strategies are as highlighted in the pictures below.
  • The scope of works include: Painting works to building, Roof painting and waterproofing, Termite treatment, Restore gable triangle, Restore roof truss/structure, Restore facial board, Restore defective timber window/door, Restore guard rail, Restore plaster wall, Restore defective column, and Restore floor joist.

The Comparison of “Before” And “After” Work

Lot No. 37
Before
After
Lot No. 61
Before
After
Lot No. 80
Before
After
Lot No. 99
Before
After
Lot No. 102
Before
After

Scope of Works:

Scope 1: Painting works to building

-Scrap & sand to remove loose paint.

-Apply 2 coats of approved paint by using roller or brush.

Scope 2: Roof painting and waterproofing

-Clean the roof surface by using water jet.

-Damaged & broken roof sheet to be replaced with roof sheet.

-Loose nail to be replaced. Seal the nail holes by using polyurethane sealant.

-Apply 2 coats of approved coating by using spray or brush.

Scope 3: Termite treatment

-Whole building to be sprayed with approved anti-termite chemical treatment.

-Drill hole into soil especially surrounding the building columns & walls. Inject approved anti-termite chemical into soil.

Scope 4: Restore gable triangle

-Damaged timber frame to be replaced. Damaged facial sheet to be replaced with new piece.

-Remove the rust or existing paint on the sheet surface by using scrap or wire brushing.

-Apply 2 coats of approved protective coating.

Scope 5: Restore roof truss/structure

-Cut & remove damaged timber.

-Replace new timber by key joint method.

Scope 6: Restore roof gutter

-Defective G.I. gutter to be replaced.

Scope 7: Restore facial board

-Bug holes to be sealed with putty.

Scope 8: Restore defective timber window/door

-Missing window glass to be replaced.

Scope 9: Restore floor deck

-Damaged portion to be replaced.

Scope 10: Restore plaster / timber wall

-Remove loose plaster & make good the plaster.

Scope 11: Restore defective column

-Install temporary prop/brace to the structure. (whenever necessary)

-Cut & remove the rotten portion. The cut portion to be replaced with new piece of wood bonded by key joint method.

Scope 12: Restore floor / roof joist

-Install temporary prop/brace to the structure. (whenever necessary)

-Cut & remove the rotten portion. The cut portion to be replaced with new piece of wood bonded by key joint method.

-Further strengthen by adding additional joist/brace.

Key Takeaways

Heritage is a piece of our past that has been saved for the present and will be passed on to succeeding generations. Heritage is thought of as knowledge that is defined within social, political, and cultural context and is conceived as the meanings associated to the past in the present. An individual community’s cultural identity and heritage are symbolised by old and historic buildings.

Conservation of heritage buildings is initiated by the government and private sector in Malaysia. The government showed effort to appreciate the existing of heritage buildings in Malaysia by establishing the National Heritage Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Warisan Negara) in the year 2006. Heritage buildings conservation can be described in many words. However, what is conservation? In general, conservation is a technical activity towards historical buildings. In order to conserve the heritage buildings’ material and structure, physical effort was required. It is a procedure to stop degradation, and the goal is to make buildings last longer.

We at Structural Repairs (M) Sdn. Bhd. are professional and competent technical and licensed conservator that will ensure the efforts of heritage conservation in Malaysia will be successful. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require more information. Our team will be happy and glad to assist you.

Kindly visit to our website at https://structuralrepairs.com.my/ or contact us at Tel: +603-91731728/29 Whatsapp: +60 12-334 9113

 

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