ARCHITECTURE CULTURE AND HISTORY 2 [ARC1323]

Architecture Heritage Building Analysis

Old Victoria Institution

Team Members:

Arif Zakwan Bin Abdul Hamid 0303736

Irdinah Farhanah Binti Mohamed Elias 0304737

Nur Fazlin Binti Zulkifli 0303613

Mohammad Syarulnizam Bin Mohd Nasir 0302549

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Map of Old Kuala Lumpur. Location of Old Victoria Institution along Jalan Tun H. S. Lee

The Old Victoria Institution is located along Jalan Tun H.S. Lee in the heart of

Old Kuala Lumpur. Currently, the Old Victoria Institution building is utilized as a

culture house. This place, now known as ‘Taman Budaya’, was established in 2005

after three years of rebuilding since 28th of October 2002 and the cost of rebuilding

the structure into a culture house was approximately eight million Ringgit Malaysia.

Initially, Old Victoria Institution was an English boy’s school. It was dubbed

Victoria Institution in commemoration of Queen Victoria then. The architect of the

building, A. C. Norman who was working at the Department of Public Works, used an

architectural style known as Victorian English Cottage as his inspiration for the Old

Victoria Institution.

The institution was established due to a need to set up an English school in

Kuala Lumpur to rival the highly acclaimed Raffles Institution in Singapore. A stone

was placed on site on 14th August 1893, which was officiated by Lady William Hood

who was the spouse of Sir William Hood Treacher. Sir William was the first British

resident in Selangor. The institution was then officially opened on 3 rd July 1984 and

principal, Mr. Bennett Eyre Shaw, led the school.

Foundation Stone

Victoria Institution stood strong as an educational institution with various

achievements and expansions. On 28th March 1929, a new curriculum was

introduced where drama and debate were two extra curricular activities that were

placed much emphasis on. During the same year, Victoria Institution was relocated to

Petaling Hill and the building was occupied by The Technical Institute of Kuala

Lumpur before being replaced by High Street School in the 1950s.

Arts and culture became more apparent between 1970s and 1980s especially

in the fields of theatre and dance. The Old Victoria Institution building became a

practice center and a place for gathering for performances of arts and culture. During

the 1980s, Taman Budaya, also known as Panggung Drama or Pusat Seni was

officiated by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) where an array of cultural and

arts activities were held at the Old Victoria Institution building till today.

CONTEXTUAL CONDITION

The rapid economic development of Selangor following the establishment of

the British Protectorate in 1874 created a growing demand for English education.

Consequently, a Government English School was established in 1890. However, it

was soon found to be inadequate. As its name suggests, the Old Victoria Institution is

a memorial school. Towards the end of the 19th century, demand for English

education made by a group of prominent spirited citizens such as Towkay Loke Yew,

Captain China Yap Kwan Seng, and Thamboosamy Pillay eventually led to the

founding of the Old Victoria Institution. The institute was built in 1893 with the help of

British Resident, Sir William Hood Treacher and with funds donated by The Sultan of

Selangor, H.H. Abdul Samad.

It was unusual, as it was neither a denominational nor government school.

Part of the funding came from donations and the rest from the balance of the

Queen’s Jubilee Fund in 1887, hence the school’s name. Designed by AC Norman,

the building was based on an English cottage, half-brick and half-timber, with Gothic

features. The lower floor, which was originally a playground, has Gothic arches. The

upper floor housed three classrooms that were interconnected by arches. Part of the

original verandah above this lower floor can still be seen at the back of the building.

Although the school fronted High Street, its main entrance was actually on the north

side. Above this entrance was a gable on which were mounted the royal coat of arms

and the date of the School's foundation - 1893. A long curving porch covered the

entrance steps.

In 1929, owing to lack of space and its flood-prone location, the school moved

to a new premise on Petaling Hill, now Jalan Hang Tuah, where it still stands today.

The original foundation plate is today affixed to the front façade of the present VI

building. The Victoria Institution building was one of many to be floodlit for the

coronation revelry. In 1929, the campus moved to its present location and the

buildings on High Street became the home of three different educational institutions.

Over the years the building fell into disrepair and was left vacant until the recent fire

on 26 July 1999. With the straightening of the Klang River and the construction of a

viaduct at a later date, buildings were removed until the only remaining structure was

the Infants' school of the Old VI. This was known as the Panggung Derama, a

Performing Arts Centre and rehearsal venue. This structure was the last remaining

building from the campus of the Old VI. The original campus of the Old VI was

completed in 1894. It was located on High Street, on the bank of the Klang River, in

the heart of Kuala Lumpur. This street is now known as Jalan Tun H. S. Lee.

Political changes in Malaya have also contributed to a change in the running

of the School. When Malaya achieved independence and became a full-fledged

democratic country, it was also decided to democratize the management of the

school to inculcate a sense of responsibility amongst the residents of Kuala Lumpur

regarding the education of their children. According to the terms of the Education

Ordinance of 1957, Boards of Governors were to be set up in all Schools. In the

Victoria Institution three members of the Board were to be nominated by the Ministry

of Education, two by State government, three by the President of the Victoria

Institution Old Boys' Association and three by the parents of the pupils. Both the

Government and the public were amply represented in the new Board, and it in many

ways resembled the Board of Trustees, on whom was entrusted the management of

the School when it was quasi-independent.

During World War II, the Victoria Institution was used as the administrative

headquarters by the invading Japanese army and after Japan's defeat in the war, the

surrender ceremony of the administration of Malaya to the British was also held there

on 22 February 1946. The first School bell, which was installed when the V.I. first

opened in 1893, disappeared during the Japanese occupation and could not be

traced in spite of thorough and searching inquiries. A veritable social revolution

occurred in 1950 with the admission to the School of its first girl, Miss Yoong Yan

Yoong, from the Methodist Girls' School. In 1911, the headmaster’s bungalow, which

used to be sited on the school grounds, was the scene of a murder that stunned the

local community. The episode was immortalized by Somerset Maugham in one of his

famous short stories that later was adapted for the film called "The Letter".

The School Bell that went missing

TIMELINE

1893

VI was established

It was to take after the enormously successful Raffles Institution in Singapore.

Construction began – 2 buildings, one a school block known as Block 1(Infant

School) & the other a large bungalow for the headmaster

1894

Officially opened on High Street

Renamed Jalan Bandar soon after the Malayan Independence

The road with many of its original shop houses still remains, however it is now

known as Jalan Tun HS Lee.

1895

Gombak Road has now been renamed Damansara Road

Police barracks, facing the school, have now been built beside the Police

Station

1899

A new VI block, Block 2(Lower School), was built beside the first block

1902

Block 3(Middle School) was added behind block 2

This new block consisted of a laboratory and 3 classrooms.

In addition, a gymnasium was built beside block 3 - It looked like a Roman

temple with tall columns, two at the front and back, and four on each side.

1909

Block 4(High School) was constructed about 50 meters across the field

behind block 1

1911

Headmaster’s building gained a bit of notoriety

One evening, a European planter was shot several times in the bungalow

– Died on the driveway

– Wife of the acting headmaster was accused of murder

– Pardoned after given the death sentence by the Selangor Sultan

1921

A temporary building was set up to house more classrooms

5 years later, another one-storey building was erected to relieve the pressure

for classroom space

1926

Headmaster, Mr. G. C. Davies, and his family had to be rescued by a

‘sampan’ when they were stranded in his Bungalow.

– Klang River became a hazard as it flooded often

– V.I.’s site was on low ground and as such, the school would occasionally

be under a few feet of water during rainy season and had to be closed.

– Government gave approval for V.I to be built on its present premises

which was what used to be a Chinese cemetery and golf links, due to

persistent flood nuisance

Picture of a flooded Old Victoria Institution during heavy downpour

1929

The old Headmaster’s Bungalow was demolished to allow the Klang River to

be diverted and straightened in the early nineteen thirties.

1945

13 September – VI Hall used for Japanese Surrender (this was repeated on

22nd February 1946)

The end of the second world war

1999

Evening of July 26, a fire broke out in Block 1 – started possibly by drug

addicts who had sneaked into the empty and supposedly locked building

The roof and wooden floor were destroyed although the concrete walls

survived

The gable with “1893” inscribed on it and which had stood for 106 years was

consumed by the flames

Thus, the very first and most historic building of the Victoria Institution met its

sad demise

Picture of the fire that broke out in Block 1

2002

Reconstruction began on 28th October 2002

2005

Reconstruction completed

Transformed into a hub for arts and culture (Taman Budaya)

Map of 1939

Shows significant change in the former V.I complex.

Various kinks in the Klang River are now gone and the River is what is like

today but only three buildings are shown in the complex now known as

Technical College.

The map missed out Block 4 and some other small buildings, but has drawn

in the road separating Block 1 from Blocks 2 and 3

Map of 1950

Shows little change in the former V.I complex 5 years after the war

There is extensive road remodeling south of the complex near the Chinese

Assembly Hall where a roundabout has been built

The Technical College remained in High Street School until 1954 when it

moved to Jalan Gurney (now Jalan Semarak)

Newly established High Street School took over the old V.I premises

In 1957, this school in turn moved out to new premises in Setapak – Now

known as High School Setapak

Illustration of structural layout transformation over the years

Map of 1961

Shows densely packed post-Merdeka Kuala Lumpur, with buildings sprouting

everywhere

All the remaining former V.I buildings except Block 1 are to be demolished at

year’s end to allow for the construction of the viaduct spanning the Klang

River from the National Mosque to the Chinese Assembly

Station street has been renamed Jalan Balai Polis – its length is truncated

considerably as the Police Station premises have been extended into the

junction of the street with High Street

High Street has been renamed Jalan Bandar – roundabout at the Chinese

Assembly Hall is now known as Bulatan Merdeka

Old River Road – a watery bend in the river which once coursed alongside

the school’s Blocks 2 and 3 and which had been filled in during the early

thirties. The river has become a road!

Over the next thirty years, Block 1 would become, firstly, the Panggung

Derama under the auspices of the National Drama Council and later the

Pusat Seni.

Map of 1993

Shows, Block 1 sits forlornly amidst massive change

Tall skyscrapers loom above it and there is a busy traffic interchange a

stone’s throw away

Jalan Sultan Mohamed now runs where the old Klang River used to curve

past the Headmaster’s Bungalow

The old Jalan Sekolah is now nameless – just narrow lane separating the

Klang Bus Station from the Uda-Ocean Shopping Complex

Since 1998, an LRT track (not shown) follows Jalan Sultan Mohamed to the

Pasar Seni Station opposite the Bus Station

Old River Road has lost its name but still serves its function of funneling High

Street (Jalan Bandar) traffic into Bulatan Merdeka

Since late sixties, Jalan Bandar has been called Jalan Tun H.S. Lee

Completing the V.I connection, the late Tun H.S. Lee, though not a Victorian

himself, sent his sons to the new V.I in the forties and fifties

The above visualization depicts the school at the end of a school day in

the late twenties, with students involved in the major extra-curricular

activities

Hawkers along High Street do roaring business with home-bound V.I boys

Across the Klang River in the background is the Railway Station

Facing the school are the barracks of the High Street Police Station

Far left, accessible by a bridge from High Street, is a large engineering

works

Large trees line the school’s frontage

Headmaster’s bungalow is drawn from imagination, based on written

accounts of its features and from its outline in maps

ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF OLD VICTORIA INSTITUTION

Old Victoria Institution is highly influenced by an English Cottage style. With

the support from the British residents of Selangor, they erected a premium English

institution for boys in Kuala Lumpur. Evidences in most of the forms and structures of

this building are attributed to such a style. There are also parts of the building that

feature an architectural style that is similar to that of Gothic Architecture

By viewing this building from its elevation, elements on the left side of the

building is most often not similar to that on the opposite section of the building thus,

illustrating an asymmetry which is one of the many characteristics of English Cottage

architectural style. Also, materials with a combination of timber and bricks are often

used in this form of English Cottage architectural style.

English Cottage Style Architecture

The materials used can be seen clearly on the structure itself

The building’s roof is vertically raised and it has been divided by its horizontal

run which is called the slope. Basically, it is a roof with two slopes that meet at a

central ridge and this is known as the Medium Pitched Roof as the angle of the roof

is more than 20 degrees. Malaysia is known for its high amount of rainfall and this

contributed to the decision towards selecting a ‘Pitched Roof’ to ensure adequate

surface run-off to redirect water to the ground. This helps to minimize the damage on

the roof over time hence, ensuring that the roof maximizes its longest possible

lifespan. There is also a structure known as a Cupola located at the top of the roof.

The Cupola of the Old Victoria Institution features a conical roof resting atop a

cuboid. Thermal panel windows are utilized in this ‘cuboid’ to provide a point of

lookout or to admit light and air in.

Pitched roof and Cupola

Another interesting feature of this English Cottage styled building is the

exposed timber structures. Based on current renovations that we have observed on

site, they seek to re-expose the rafters, timber purlins and posts in order to re-

establish a perceived historical authenticity. Rafters are one series of slope structural

members, also known as beams, which exist in the roof structures. They are

extended from the ridge to the wall. The main purpose of these rafters is to provide

support to the roof deck as well as the associated loads and pressure imposed by the

wooden members. Purlins are the longitudinal and horizontal structural members of

the roof. These purlins support the rafters and they are placed beneath the

midsection of the rafters. Concurrently, vertical posts that are widely known as pillars

or columns support the horizontal members and weight of the entire structure.

Exposed rafters, timber purlins and posts

The arches that exist in this building are highly influenced by Gothic

Architecture. The type of arch featured in the Old Victoria Institution is the equilateral

arch given the obtuse angle created by the arch. Also, the combination of the two

centered arches and the chords of curves equates to the span of arch. The windows

of the Victoria Institution feature styles from both English Cottage and Gothic

Architecture. The Equilateral arch influences the circumference of the window while

the inner rectangular section is attributed to the English Cottage style.

ELEVATIONS

Front Elevation

COMPARATIVE STUDY

During the late 19th century and early 20th century, Victorian Architecture

experienced a massive influence from Gothic and Tudor era designs, from it sprung

the Gothic and Tudor Revival movements.

The Gothic Revival style is evident in numerous buildings that were designed,

built and finished in the late half of the 19 th century, especially in Great Britain. Its

colonies, such as the gothic arches, colored windows and spires, from residential to

public, buildings of this period seem to abide to a very popular set of designs that

went out of fashion in the architectural world 3 centuries ago, this revival of style

coined by architects, Neo-Gothic, seem to have less complexity and is more toned

down.

On the other hand, the Neo- Tudor style also reemerged in to scene; this style

was popular all around South Eastern colonies such as Singapore and Malaysia, with

buildings such as the Royal Selangor Club and the Black-and-White houses in

Singapore. The Old VI possess features that illustrate a mixture of both revivals, such

as the roof, arches and the spire like bell tower.

View of the bell tower of the Old Victoria Institution Block A

Staying in the same typological pool, there are a number of educational

buildings that bear similar styling to the Old VI building. Educational buildings with

neo gothic styles were categorized into a sub style called Collegiate Gothic, and this

style was popular with schools and universities.

The following are a few examples of buildings that feature Collegiate Gothic

architecture styling.

1. South Division St. School 1910-1940, Grand Rapids,

Michigan

This elementary school building was built about 2

decades after the Old VI building was finished, and they

contain quite similar style in certain areas such as the

tower and the deep-pitched roof. Both schools do have a

pointed bell tower, which is a trait that can be traced back

to Gothic architecture where they had very sharp pointed

bell towers that are always placed above the main building

level.

2. Scotch College 1902, Melbourne, Australia

The similarities of both buildings are very strong, the Old VI campus had

gothic styled arches that act as openings into the hallways, a curved and pointed

shape that can be seen on many windows and entrances in Gothic styled Churches.

The second similarity is the deep pitched roofing, they are slanted in an acute degree

and the dormers are connected by the main roof ridge but they spread to the four

directions around the building, this arrangement though is not of gothic influence but

from Tudor revival. The Old VI building had half-timbered style dormer facades

which are a trademark of Tudor style architecture; this is also evident in Scotch

College’s campus. Unfortunately the bell tower from Scotch College looks different

than the one in Old VI, this supports the point that the Old VI building has elements of

gothic style implemented to it but it is mainly designed with the Tudor Cottage styles

as the main design.

The Old Victoria Institution seems to draw influences from Gothic and Tudor

styles, looking at the other surviving works of the architect A.C Norman who

designed the school such as The Royal Selangor Club.

Royal Club Selangor

Side by side comparison of the Old VI arches (left) and Scotch College’s hallways arches

This building features the black-and-white Tudor design with the half-timbered

walls running all over the building’s façade. As such, given the architect’s apparent

Tudor styled concept in his other works such as this, it is with the translation of these

ideas towards the erection of the Old Victoria Institution that we see such similar

architecture styling.

Branching out from the Arts and Crafts Movement and Art Nouveau, English

Cottage styling through works of C.F. A. Voysey and Norman Shaw were also

evident in the structure of the Old Victoria Institution. Features such as asymmetry, a

medium pitched roof, arched doors, gable roofing and half timbering indicate that the

Old Victoria Institution is of an English Cottage descent as well.

The following are comparisons on features between that of the Old Victoria Institution

by A.C. Norman and famous works by C.F.A.house for C.S. Loch at Oxshott Voysey

Arched doorway along the corridor

on the 1st floor of Block A

The Old Victoria Institution (Side Profile) and House for C.S. Loch at Oxshott by

C.F.A Voysey illustrating features of structural asymmetry and gable roofing.

Victoria Institution

South Division St. School

Scotch College Hawthorne

(Dorm)

Royal Selangor Club

Officially completed in 1894, design having a blend of Neo-Gothic and English Cottage style.

Completed in 1910, design has a very strong Neo-colonial and a little Neo-Gothic influence

Completed in 1902, strong English Cottage Style influence and Neo Gothic

Completed in 1890, Strong Cottage Style influences

Half Timbered roofing and a spire-like bell tower.

More towards the Neo-Georgian style of roofing, where they have small windows on the roof facades. Sharp looking spire.

Half Timbered roofing. Half Timbered roofing on all buildings. Black coloured timber and white coloured walls.

Gothic styled arches and medium pitched roofing.

Colonial Revival styled roofing, deeply pitched.

Gothic Styled arches and medium pitched roofing.

Deep pitched roofing.

Conical bell tower, sharply pointed and above building level.

Round spire and above main building level

Square bell tower No bell tower.

Educational Building Educational Building Educational Building Social Club

CONCLUSION

All in all, by drawing references of other works of the architect, A.C. Norman,

are we’re able to understand the design influences of the Old Victoria Institution

building. Also, by acknowledging the start of Victorian Architecture, we are able to

recognize other renowned architects of such architectural influence and how their

styling is reflected or can be cross-referenced with the elements featured in the Old

Victoria Institution. Apart from that, the political, social and economical issues that

occurred through the decades have significantly played a crucial role in the sizing

and expansion of the institution itself.

Also, despite an all-encompassing English Cottage style, which may also

feature Gothic architecture elements, it is important that we distinguish between the

two so as to comprehend the category of the design influences of each architectural

or structural feature.

By acknowledging the existence of the Old Victoria Institution and by

understanding the history as well as structural transformations in which the building

has undergone, we are able to not only understand the main design influences for

architecture during that era but also relate to how such influences have been

translated to other buildings in Malaysia apart from the Old Victoria Institution. As

such, the Old Victoria Institution is indeed a vital asset in the Malaysian architectural

heritage since it is one of the significant beginnings of architecture in Malaysia during

the governance of the British in that era.

Hence, conserving the Old Victoria Institution is crucial to enable

comprehension of Malaysia’s architectural history and how influences of Arts and

Craft during a Victorian era dominate most architectural designs in Europe. These

design influences are then brought down to South East Asian countries such as

Malaysia during the reign of the British Empire.

REFERENCE LIST:

Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM). (1975) Guide to Kuala Lumpur Notable

Buildings. Papyrus Printers & Stationers Sdn. Bhd.

Mohd Bakri Jaffar. (2007) Bangunan-Bangunan Bersejarah. Ultimate Print Sdn. Bhd.

Doraisamy J. (1993) Victoria Institution The First Century 1893-1993

Victoria Institution. (n.d.) A History of Victoria Institution 1893-1961. Charles Garnier

& Co. Ltd, Kuala Lumpur.

Executive Engineer, Works & Buildings, Kuala Lumpur. (1924) Memorandum.

Repair Works on Deteriorating Timber Roofing.

Secretary of Victoria Institution. (1907). Extension of Buildings, Victoria Institution.

Chung Chee Min. (2000). The School at the River Bend.

http://www.viweb.freehosting.net/viOldVI.htm Accessed 13 April 2013

South Division St. School. Historygrandrapids.org. Retrieved May 10, 2013, from

http://www.historygrandrapids.org/photo/1528/south-division-st-school

Mishura, P. Ashton, D. Scotch – 160 years in five pages. scotch.vic.edu.au.

Retrieved May 10, 2013, from

http://www.scotch.vic.edu.au/gscot/11decgs/08.htm

Clark, Kenneth (1962). The Gothic Revival (3rd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart &

Winston. pp. 173–4

Gothic Revival Style 1830 – 1860. portal.state.pa.us. Retrieved May 8, 2013, from

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/mid-

19th_century_period/2386/gothic_revival_style/293443

1890 - Present: Tudor House Style. architecture.about.com. Retrieved May 9, 2013,

from http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/tudor-

utica-jc-5240029.htm

APPENDIX