Table Content

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) Fast Fact of Building.2 Plans.3-4 History & Context Condition....5-7 The organization.8-9 Architectural Elements..10-12 Renovation13

Comparative Study from Western Building within Same Typology St. Georges Hall Fast Fact of Building..14 Plan15 Architectural Elements..16-22

Conclusion...23-24 Reference..25

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Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)

Fast Fact of Building

Name:

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)

Year of Construction Started:

1926

Architects:

Messrs. Booty & Edwards

Architecture Style:

Neo-classical movement

Location:

No.1, Jalan Maharajalela, 50150 Kuala Lumpur.

Function:

Serves with meeting room, theatre, ball room & event hall for entertainment, cultural and educational activities.

Size: 2|Page

43 m (length) x 63 m (width) x 14 m (height)

Plans
Roof Plan

Second Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Ground Floor Plan

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North Elevation

South Elevation

West Elevation

East Elevation

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History & Context Condition

More than 100 years ago, the various Chinese associations and clans were very active in Selangor. In the early 20th century, the idea of setting up a body or organisation to unite Chinese associations and clans were mooted by well-known tycoons and philanthropists, Kapitan Yap Kwan Seng and Loke Yew, with the latter contributing to the extent of 50, 000 Malayan dollars.

Kapitan Yap Kwan Seng,

th

the 5 & last Kapitan in Kuala Lumpur. Retrieved from KLSCAH brochure.

Loke Yew Retrieved brochure.

from

KLSCAH

A governing body for these associations was proposed and a building was to be erected to serve as its centre of operations, to be a common ground for the various Chinese communities to converge, as well as to become a place to promote educational and cultural activities. Unfortunately both Kapitan Yap Kwan Seng and Loke Yew passed away before this dream materialised but they were succeeded by leaders like Choo Kia Peng, Kapitan Cheong Yoke Choy and Loke Yews son Alan Loke who pushed for the completion of the project. The first batch committee of the hall was already in existence in 1910 but finally in 1923, the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall was established officially. Before his death in 1902, Kapitan Yap Kwan Seng applied for a piece of land from the British colonial government for the construction of the building and in August 1925, the authorities approved the building plan. 5|Page

SITE PLAN (NTS)

The land is located at No.1, Jalan Maharajalela, 50150 Kuala Lumpur (current address), which is near to Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur. Petaling Street as known as Chinatown is the street has long been associated with the Chinese community of Kuala Lumpur. In the late 19th century & early 20th century, the Chinese community came along from China for opportunity to work in the tin business that was flourishing in Kuala Lumpur. Therefore, various Chinese associations and clans were established around that area. Yap Kwan Seng applied the land for the construction of Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall since the land served as the core for the various Chinese communities, included all the Chinese associations and clans to converge. With the site applied, the Hall became a place to promote educational and cultural activities within Chinese community in Kuala Lumpur which was fulfilled the idea of unifying the Chinese community by Kapitan Yap Kwan Seng and Loke Yew.

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In 1926, the construction of Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall began. However, it was not until 1934 that the building saw its final completion and the Hall was officially opened by Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Alaeddin Sulaiman Shah. Cheong Yoke Choy was elected as the first President. The total cost of construction was 200, 000 Malayan dollars. However, there were two main factors for the prolonged delay. First, there was a lack of funds, and then in the later stage there were some disputes among the leaders as to whose statues and names were to be honoured.

Ever since it was built, the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (the name of which was changed to Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) in 2006) had become a hub for entertainment, cultural and educational activities among the Chinese community. It also witnessed many significant moments in the countrys history.

During World War Two, it was a place where many people sought refuge and aid. Later in the 1950s when the independence of Malaya was approaching, members of the governing body of the hall played their parts in encouraging the Chinese community to apply for citizenship. Other than that, there were some significant events it hosted; the hall became the venue for the historic meeting which led to the formation of the Alliance Party (Parti Perikatan), a coalition between United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).

These days, the hall plays host to a myriad of multi-cultural activities, from wedding dinners and stage performances to talks by well-known speakers and festival celebrations. In addition, the hall has played host to events and celebrations by all three ethnic communities in Malaysia as well. From day one, the hall remained a non-governmental and non-profit organisation.

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The Organization

In 23 August 1923, Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall was established officially. The membership of the Hall is huge indeed. There are more than 420 group members that belong to the ten different membership types from charitable bodies, school bodies, professional bodies and blood clans and consanguinity associations, sports and religious bodies and so on.

The first batch of board of director was officially formed at 19 May 1935. Cheong Yoke Choy was elected as the first President. His term in office was 1935-1950. The second president is Hong Kee Du (Term 1950-1958), the third was Lee Run Tian (19581975). The following presidents were Tan Sri Lee Yan Nian (1975-1982), Yau Xiang Chi (1982-1986), Cheong Zheng Xiu (1986), Cheong Jing Leong (1987-1990), Tan Sri Lim Yu Jing (1990-1994), Dato Goh Dak Fang
Cheong Yoke Choy, First President of Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall. Retrieved from KLSCAH brochure.

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(1994-1998), Tan Sri Gan Ching Wen (1998-2002), Tan Chi Cheng (2002-2004) and Dato Wong Han Leong (2004-2009). The current president which is the 13th is Tan Yew Sing. Then, there are the various departments and committees within the Hall the most active being the women and youth wings, civil right groups and culture & education group. Throughout the year, there are a host of different types of activities targeting different groups of people and catering to the young, the middle age as well as the elderly. The hall is arguably the largest and most active in the nation among states like Penang and Perak. Today, all the 13 states have their own Chinese Assembly or Town Halls that are independently run, but are together under the umbrella body of The Federation of Chinese Associations formed in 1991.

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Architectural Elements
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) is designed based on neo-classical architecture style. It is an architectural style that began in the mid-18th century that created by the neo-classical movement. In addition, this type of architecture style has two major elements which are its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and secondly is its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing features of Late Baroque. Moreover, it is also derived from Classical Greece, Rome and Palladian

architecture. As a result, the hall is an influence of British colonialism and its interior feature high ceiling (Figure 1),
Figure 1

huge Roman Influenced Pillars which are Doric Order (Figure 2), Ionic Order (Figure 3) & Corinthians Order (Figure 2),

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Roman Orders Retrieved from http://o.quizlet.com/F t9SNFiXaUZvAAKJs dVnxA.jpg

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as well as intricate European-style carvings (Figure 5).

Figure 5

In addition, there are two curved stone staircases (Figure 6) on both sides of the lobby that exudes old-world charm. The curved staircases create a smooth dynamic within the building.

Figure 6

The unique dome (Figure 7) on the high ceiling has also been maintained, so have the wooden shutters on the windows as well as the Roman-influenced decorative carvings at the cornices of the ceilings and front door. In addition, the unique dome also symbolizes majestic.
Figure 7

Moreover, there are three entrances (Figure 8) with huge carved doors one main entrance in the centre and two side entrances back to how it was when it was first built in the 1920s. The three entrances were constructed as the number three has special significance in Chinese culture. It stands for three elements
Figure 8

which are man, earth and sky, thus completing the universe and a cosmic balance. (Retrieved from KLSCAH brochure)

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Later, the doors were permanently sealed and blocked by two imposing stone lions (Figure 9). The pairs of Imperial Guardian Lion statue in Chinese Assembly Hall is believed to have mythic protective benefits in Chinese tradition and culture.
Figure 9

When one walks into the lobby of the two and half storey building, one is greeted by a large concert hall (Figure 10) which is a popular venue for weddings, concerts and other functions. There are also several meeting rooms, an administrative office and a theatre space. A modern auditorium had been added in 2005, when the Arts, Culture and Heritage Ministry granted them RM 200, 000 for renovation.
Figure 10

Moreover, in 2008, an obvious change after the renovation is the glass ceiling extension (Figure 11) for its front fa ade.

Figure 11

As a result, Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSAH) is the building with the concepts of Neo-classical, Eclecticism and Anglo- Chinese. Neoclassical is a new style that principally derived from classical Greek & Roman architecture. Eclecticism is the style that incorporates a mixture of elements from previous to create something new and original. While Anglo- Chinese is the combination of British and Chinese architectural elements.

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Renovation

The hall has undergone a few renovations in 1995, 2005 & 2008.

In 1995 (First Renovation): (1) 2 storey Side Wings Ground Floor - Extended hall. First Floor - Secretariat. (2) 3 Storey Rear Wings Ground Floor - Cafeteria, Kitchen and Mechanical Rooms. First Floor & Second Floor - Secretariat & Library.

In 2005 (Second Renovation): (1) Added Modern Auditorium.

In 2008 (Third Renovation): (1) Reinstate the building back to its original fa ade and appearance. (2) Demolished the balcony which has cut off the pillars of the front fa ade. (3) Glass ceiling extension for its front fa ade where the balcony demolished. (4) Carried out on windows, which originally boasted wooden shutters. (5) Flooring & Dome

It was indeed a moment of pride for the organisation when the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall was awarded National Heritage status by Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim in conjunction with Malaysias 50th independence in 2007. With that, the government also gave a RM 500, 000 grants which was used for some restoration work the following year.

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Comparative Study from Western Building within Same Typology

St. George's Hall, Liverpool

Fast Fact of Building

Retrieved from http://www.walkingbook.co.uk/liverpool/pix/06-1sm.gif

Name:

St. Georges Hall

Year of Construction: 1841 1954

Architect:

Harvey Lonsdale Elmes & Sir Charles Cockerell

Architectural Style:

Neoclassical

Location:

Lime Street, Liverpool, England.

Function:

Concert halls and Law courts.

Size:

52 m (width) x 23 m (length) x 25 m (high)

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Plan

Retrieved from http://www.victorianweb.org/technology/engineers/reid/sg12.jpg

1) East side of hall, between it and railway station is St Georges Plateau. 2) West side of hall are St Johns Gardens. 3) To the north of Concert Hall is Civil Court and beyond this is the elliptical Small Concert Room. 4) To the south of Concert Hall are the Crown Court & Grand Jury Room. 5) Smaller court rooms are on the periphery of the larger courts. 6) The floor below consists of a cavernous basement with cells for prisoners along the west wall. St. George Hall was awarded Liverpools World Heritage Site in 2004. In addition, it has been also designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed buildings. English Heritage (officially the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England) is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). By advising on the care of the historic environment in England, English Heritage complements the work of Natural England which aims to protect the natural environment.

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Architectural Element Exterior The main entrance is in the centre of the east fa ade and is approached by a wide flight of steps.

On the steps is a statue of Benjamin Disraeli by Charles Bell Birch (Figure 12).

Retrieved from https://encryptedtbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT84kfFSgCmna1iCr8iveXuOb-EUaao02YXX6N4k8xrwZ10Z-q Figure 12

At the south-east corner is a bronze statue of Major-General William Earle (Figure 13) by the same sculptor.

Retrieved from http://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/birch/3.jpg Figure 13

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This front (Figure 14) has a central portico of 16 Corinthian columns flanked on each side by series of square, in-fluted pillars.

Figure 14 Retrieved from http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/speel/picpl/lpoolstgeohall.jpg

The west front (Figure 15) has a projecting central part with square pillars supporting a massive entablature.

Retrieved from http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/speel/picpl/lpoolstgeohall.jpg Figure 15

The south front (Figure 16) has a portico of eight columns, two columns deep on steps above a rusticated podium.

Retrieved from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/St_Georges_ Hall_Liverpool_(6727539225).jpg

Figure 16

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The north front (Figure 17) has a semi-circular apse with columns and three doorways which are flanked by statues of nereids (Figure 18) and tritons (Figure 19) bearing lamps which were designed by Nicholl.
Retrieved from http://th00.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2012/232/9 /9/st_george__s_hall__liverpool_by_cluke111d5btc6w.jpg Figure 17

Figure 18 Retrieved from http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5309/5646250462_04cd 70faf3_o.jpg

Figure 19 Retrieved from https://encryptedtbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A Nd9GcQAM_aTc3EWM7heYCLv WdnkFJ7GxMdjFeGiduYucRygCB Wdeu25

Interior The roof is a tunnel vault carried on columns of polished red granite (Figure 20).

Retrieved from http://www.sevenstreets.com/imageuploads/2012/08/st-georges-hall4.jpg Figure 20

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The walls have niches for statues and the panelled plasterwork of the vault has allegorical figures of Virtues, Science and Arts. The decorated floor consists of Minton tiles and covered by a removable floor to protect it. There were 30,000 tiles being used in this building.

The doors (Figure 21) are bronze and have openwork panels which have openwork panels which incorporate the letters SPQL (the Senate and the People of Liverpool) (Figure 22).

Figure 21 Retrieved from http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6744796407_0e4f79 00c0_z.jpg

Figure 22 Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/images/2007/0 4/19/st_georges_hall_004_470x336.jpg

The organ (Figure 23) is at the north end and at the south end is a round arch supporting an entablature between whose columns is a gate leading directly into the Crown Court.

Figure 23 Retrieved from http://www.victorianweb.org/technology/engineers/reid/sg10.jpg

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The niches contain the statues of William Roscoe by Chantrey, Sir William Brown by Patrick MacDowell, Robert Peel by Matthew Noble, George Stephenson by John Gibson, Rev Hugh Boyd McNeile by George Gamon Adams, E. Whitley by A. Bruce Joy, S. R. Graves by G. G. Fontana, Rev Jonathan Brookes by B. E. Spence, William Ewart Gladstone by John Adams-Acton, the 14th Earl of Derby by William Theed the Younger, the 16th Earl of Derby by F. W. Pomeroy, and Joseph Mayer by Fontana. The stained glass in the semi-circular windows (Figure 24) at each end of the hall was added in 188384 by Forrest and Son of Liverpool.

Figure 24 Retrieved from http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6724786719_8458f3d8b6_z.jpg

The Crown Court (Figure 25) has a tunnel vault on red granite columns.

Figure 25 Retrieved from http://www.docbrown.info/docspics/lakes/liverpool/P7219064.jpg

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The Civil Court (Figure 26) a coved ceiling on grey granite columns.

Figure 26

Retrieved from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/St_George%27s_Hall_I nterior_21_Dec_2009_(7).jpg

In the entrance is a statue of Henry Booth by Theed the Younger (Figure 27).

Retrieved from http://www.liverpoolmonuments.co.uk/statue/images/ boothhenry01.jpg Figure 27

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The Small Concert Room (Figure 28) is almost circular and is lavishly decorated. It was known as the Golden Concert Room and it was regularly host to Charles Dickens who held many of his readings there. A balcony supported by caryatids runs round the room. At the back of the columns, decorated with arabesques, supporting a frieze with griffins and between the columns are mirrors. It has seating for an audience of 480.platform are attached.

Figure 27 Retrieved from http://www.dalestreetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/small-concert-room-2e1347285940107.jpg

In the basement (Figure 28) is part of a unique heating and ventilation system devised by Dr Boswell Reid. This was the first attempt at air conditioning in a public building in the United Kingdom, its aim being to warm and ventilate the building without draughts. Air was warmed by five hot water pipes which were heated by two coke-fired

boilers and two steam boilers. The air was circulated by four 10 feet (3 m) wide fans. It was controlled a large number of workers opening and closing a series of canvas flaps.
Figure 28 Retrieved from http://www.victorianweb.org/technology/engineers/reid/sg12.jpg

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Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many of similarities and differences between Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) and St. Georges Hall. The table below shows all the comparisons between these two buildings.

Building

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) 1926

St. Georges Hall

Year of Construction Architect

1841-1954

Messrs. Booty & Edwards

Harvey Lonsdale Elmes & Sir Charles Cockerell Neo- Classical

Architecture Style Location

Neo-Classical, Eclecticism & Anglo- Chinese No.1, Jalan Maharajalela, 50150 Kuala Lumpur Event hall for entertainment, cultural and educational activities Hot and Tropical Symmetry and balance Bricks and tiles Dome Doric, Ionic & Corinthians columns European style carving and Chinese Imperial guardian stone lion

Lime Street, Liverpool, England

Function

Concert halls and Law courts

Climate Plan Material Hallmark Column

Four Seasons Symmetry and balance Stone, plasters and tiles Tunnel vault 16 Corinthian columns

Decor

Stone Sculpture, stained glass, Minton tiles and frieze with griffins

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Aesthetically, British colonial architecture in Malaysia is essentially a hybrid. Under Western influence, the buildings looks beautifully built. Most of them were modified to a greater or lesser degree by the use of local building materials and architectural traditions. The British Colonial past had made intense effort to introduce European elements in the mean of most of buildings at 18th century. In modern era, the force of rapid urbanisation brings in newly built intensities onto some places that demolished almost all the heritage buildings which were there before. This will affect Malaysias urban not just architecturally and environmentally but also socially and culturally. On the contrary, a coexisting awareness by the local architects and the planners towards the historical and cultural context of place and its architectural priorities will provide a firmer basis in order to restore those heritage buildings in Malaysia. Any argument on the making of modern architecture in Malaysia should be given obvious outstanding references to the various foreign involvements into the country.

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Reference
Unknown. (2010). Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) bronchure MacKenzie, W. 1863. "On the Mechanical Ventilation and Warming of St George's Hall, Liverpool", Proceedings I Mechanical Engineering (1863): 194-208. PAM, ARCHITECTURAL HERTAGE KUALA LUMPUR PRE-MERDEKA, PAM, 2007 Reid, David Boswell. "Diagrams of the Ventilation of St George's Hall and the New Assize Courts, Liverpool." 1855. Manuscript in Liverpool City Record Office. Sturrock, N. & Lawson-Smith, P. (2013). David Boswell Reid's Ventilation of St.

George's Hall, Liverpool. Retrieved from The Victorian Web website:

http://www.victorianweb.org/technology/engineers/reid/2.html Unknown. (2010). About The Hall. Retrieved from St. Georges Hall website: http://www.stgeorgesliverpool.co.uk/visit/about_the_hall/

Unknown. (2013). About Us. Retrieved from The KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall website: http://klscah.org.my/about-kuala-lumpur-and-selangor-chineseassembly-hall

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