urban trail of penang: georgetown and bandar perda

AAR 3131 THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE

URBAN TRAIL PENANG GEORGETOWN AND BANDAR PERDA NURUL AIDA NESA BINTI MI MUSTAFA 1016072 NURUL FAHMIRA BINTI RIDZUAN 1019286 NURUL JANNAH BINTI REDUAN 0920802 AHMAD HANAFI BIN AHMAD KAMAL 1018007 IDRISS SALEH DJOUMA

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THE DIARY OF OUR LOVELY URBAN TRAIL.

When we first arrived at Georgetown, we were dropped by in front of the Padang

Kota Lama of Penang. After a briefing about our location of our trails mapping,

we start to move in our group.

The first building we see is City Hall of Penang. City Hall of Penang clearly

reflects the Edwardian Baroque style of architecture. The building has arched

openings at the entrance with three small arches and two bigger arches. The

arches are decorated with repetitive basic motives along them and it seems

heavy.

The next building that we found is the Old Town Hall of Penang. It is situated

just adjacent to the City Hall of Penang. The entrance of the building consists

three small arches, and two bigger arches, same as the City Hall of Penang. But

the decoration around the arches of the entrance and the window is much

simpler compared to the previous building.

We crossed Lebuh Light Road and

we arrived in front of Bank Negara

which is situated just across the

road of the Old Town Hall of

Penang. The shape is rough and

blocky appearance gives the image

of Brutalist architecture for the

building. It is clearly show the

repetition of horizontal and vertical

elements. The material used shows

the typical Brutalist architecture

which is mainly uses concrete.

From Lebuh Light, we turn left and we enter the road of Jalan Masjid Kapitan

Keling. Here we see the two distinctive building which are Mahkamah Tinggi

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Pulau Pinang and St. John Anglican Church. Those two building situated at

Lebuh Farquhar. We choose to go inside the St. John Anglican Church first.

The moment we enter the church, we are fascinated with the most striking

feature of the church's architecture is the huge Grecian columns lined outside

the front entrance and remind one of classical Greek structures such as The

Parthenon, The Propylaia, the Temple to Athene and The Erechtheion. The

pavilion which sits in the lawn also resembles a Grecian air to the ambience. It is

a hybrid architectural style described as 'Georgian Palladium'.

We crossed the Lebuh Farquhar and we arrived at Mahkamah Tinggi Pulau

Pinang. It is placed at the opposite road of the Bank Negara Malaysia building.

It has lots of balconies and verandahs but

it were sealed off during later expansions

to create additional space. The building is

look like Palladian style with stately

columns and a domed chamber.

Next to the St. John Anglican Church,

there is schools name SK Hutching and

SMK Hutching. Both of them are primary

and secondary school respectively. It is a

typical architectural building as other local school.

We continue our journey to the next destination. Besides the school, there is

Penang State Museum. It is build in a colonial-era building. However, the type of

architectural style of the building is Greek architecture style.It is distinguished

by its highly formalised characteristics, both of structure and decoration. At the

museum courtyard,the original Penang Hills funicular railway carriage, anchor

from the French destroyer "Mosquet", cannon and the billboard of Penang

founder by Captain Francis Light can be seen.

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We are heading straight at Lebuh Farquhar, at

the lot corner, there is a church. Cathedral of the

Assumption is the oldest church in Penang. It

was founded in 1786 by Captain Francis Light.

The architectural style that has been applied at

the building is a colonial style.This is truly to be

said as the buidling has a symmetrical facade yet

may have side porches or sunrooms on either or

both sides. Other than that,the design element

also include classical columns, two-story

pilasters, quoins at corners, and palladian

windows.

From Lebuh Farquhar, we turn left

at the junction and then we are

welcomed to Love Lane Road. After

about 50 meter walking, we stopped

by at a beautifully decorated gate

with Chinese style. Literally, this

building gives a Chinese mood of

impression when we are in front of

the place. This is because of the

historical Chinese Gateway, which

was probably added when the

bungalow came under Chinese ownership and it has been conserved by specialist

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from China. However, once we enter the place, the whole building is actually the

Anglo Indian Bungalow. The architectural form of the Anglo Indian bungalow

goes beyond looks or façades, it is about the plan, social and cultural use and

function, orientation and material used for the building. The plain and white

façade is representing the British while the interior is more likely to be Indian

style.

We walk along the old lot shop. From what we observed, the owner of the lot

shops is mainly Chinese, and some of the lot shop are renovated and become a

motel. Some of them are still remain as old kopitiam. And the feelings when we

walk there, it is just some kind of peace and calm. It may be look old but nice

panorama.

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After some walking about 15 minutes, we arrived at The Goddess of Mercy

Temple. Luckily we are in the right time. Every Sunday morning, the Buddhist

will have their pray and the condition at the place is so alive. They burn some

colok and candle, and they are very concentrate with their prayers. The smells of

the burned colok remind us when in Chinese New Year. They believe that the

smoke will frighten away the evil spirit.

We were finished walking along our urban trail location which has been given to

us. But still we do not contented yet. Then, we walk straight until we arrived at

Lebuh Farquhar again. We walk there again, and we cross the road. There we

found a girl’s school named Convent Light Street. It is the oldest girls' school in

Penang as well as in Malaysia.

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Our journey comes to an end. At the end, we arrived at Dewan Sri Pinang. It is

situated just in front of Bank Negara building. The architectural style of this

building is look the same as Bank Negara because the appearance gives the

image of Brutalism Architecture. This is the style of modern architecture,

primarily in the 1960s, emphasizing heavy, monumental, stark concrete forms

and raw surfaces; may show patterns of the rough wood formwork used in

casting the concrete. Buildings in this style are often suggestive of massive

sculptures.

Then we reach Padang Kota Lama. We are really overjoyed with this urban trail.

Seems like we have the chances to know what does the World Heritage site

means. We can see the different style of building which we cannot see here in

Kuala Lumpur, because they are not really preserved like in this old town of

lovely Georgetown.

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Penang is a state in Malaysia that is located on the northwest coast of

Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. The architecture of Penang

reflects the 171 years of British presence on the island, combination of local,

Chinese, Indian, Islamic and other elements to create a unique and distinctive

architecture.

CITY HALL OF PENANG

The City Hall was opened 1903 while the Town

Hall was opened 1883. Construction for the Town

Hall began in 1879 and upon completion, Town

Hall served as the seat of the government. But

towards the beginning of the 1900's, several

renovations and additions were made to the

buildings following which the Town Hall was used

as one of the main venues for entertainment for

both local and European elites until it came to

disrepair and was finally placed under the

jurisdiction of the National Museum.

The City Hall of Penang clearly reflects the

Edwardian Baroque style of architecture. One of

the characteristics of Edwardian baroque style that

can be seen at this building is the entrance of the building has arched openings.

There are 5 arches, 3 small arches and 2 bigger one. It somewhat gives a

welcoming feeling to the people entering it and also brings out the grand feeling

to the building. The arches are decorated with repetitive basic motives along

them and it seems heavy.

Then, mini-domes which are typical to Edwardian Baroque style can be found at

the roof of the building. There are many small domes which is at the top of the

columns of the façade, and one dome which is bigger than the others. The biggest

dome is placed on the central taller tower-like element creating a lively rooftop

silhouette.

The colonnades of columns in the Ionic order and sometimes paired. This style of

architecture seems heavy in decorations and vertical elements. And mostly the

style is abundant with aesthetical element.

http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/destination/National%20Museum.html

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THE OLD TOWN HALL OF PENANG

The next building that we found is the Old Town Hall of Penang. It is situated

just adjacent to the City Hall of Penang that have been told earlier. The Old

Town Hall was the oldest Municipal Building in Penang and its foundation was

first laid on 1st January 1879 by Lt. Governor Sir

Archibald Edward Harbord Anson. It was primarily

used as a social venue for the town’s European

community, also known as the European Club amongst

the local Chinese.

The architectural style of the building is also influenced

by the Edwardian Baroque style which is similar to the

earlier building. The entrance of the building consists of

5 arches, 3 small arches, and 2 bigger one, same as the

City Hall of Penang. But the decoration around the

arches of the entrance and the window is much simpler

compared to the previous building.

The column of the building seems to trying to replicate

the order, but it is designed in such way that the shape of the section is

rectangular. Even though the column is designed as such; the other

characteristic is very similar to the Edwardian Baroque style.

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BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA PENANG

The next destination for the

urban trail is the building of

Bank Negara which is situated

just across the road of the Old

Town Hall of Penang. The

building clearly reflects the

brutalist architecture which

flourished from the 1950’s to the

mid 1970’s. the design is typically

very linear, fortress-like and

blockish, often with a

predominance of concrete construction.

The shape of the building, which is associated with rough and blocky

appearance gives the image of brutalist architecture for the building. The design

mostly involves horizontal and vertical elements only. The repetitive angular

geometries, make the blocky appearance more stands out. The shading device for

the upper window, the column and the repeated shape before the flat roof of the

building clearly shows the repetitive elements.

Then, the material used shows the typical Brutalist architecture which is

mainly uses concrete. Although concrete is the material most widely associated

with Brutalist architecture, not all Brutalist buildings are formed from concrete.

It shows the Brutalist quality in terms of expression of its structural materials

and form of the building.

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MAHKAMAH TINGGI PULAU PINANG

The next destination for our urban

trail is the Penang Supreme Court. It

is placed at the opposite road of the

Bank Negara Malaysia building. the

courthouse was built to replace the

original courthouse which was

constructed on the same site in 1809.

The building was done in the

Palladian style and was inaugurated

in September, 1903. The building has

stately columns and a domed chamber. Originally, there were also statues and

emblems which have since been removed. Some of the balconies and verandahs

were also sealed off during later expansions to create additional space.

The Penang Supreme Court can

be clearly seen that the shape of the

building is symmetrical horizontally.

The design also has the values of the

formal classical temple architecture of

the ancient Greeks and romans. Some of

the characteristics are the repetitive

column of the building, and the roof

which has the triangular façade at the

top, mild decorations and domes at the

façade of the building.

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ST. JOHN ANGLICAN CHURCH

The St George's Anglican Church is the oldest Anglican church in Malaysia. It is

the main place of worship for the British colonial administrators in Penang. It is

located along Farquhar Street and it is one of the loveliest British colonial

heritage buildings within the core zone of George Town's UNESCO World

Heritage Site. It is on the route of

a George Town walking tour I

established for Penang Travel Tips.

Moreover, other than the colonial

architecture styles, Georgian style is

also presented by the South East

Asia oldest Anglican Church, St

George Church Penang. There is a

simple two story box, two rooms

deep that is using strict symmetry

arrangement.

The church in a hybrid architectural style described as 'Georgian Palladium'-

which is a combination of. 'Georgian', a style of architecture characteristic of

Kings George I and IV (1714-1830) and 'Palladium', named after the Grecian-

styled architectural works of a Roman named Palladius.

The most striking feature of the church's architecture is the huge Grecian

columns lined outside the front entrance and remind one of classical Greek

structures such as The Parthenon, The Propylaia, the Temple to Athene and The

Erechtheion. The pavilion which sits in the lawn also resembles a Grecian air to

the ambience.

As for the material used of the church, the brick structure has a solid plastered

stone base. The aforementioned pavilion was actually erected in 1886 to

commemorate Sir Francis Light. It is found a marble plaque framed by two

columns underneath the dome.

St George Church is one of the most beautiful heritage landmarks of Penang.

The original structural still remain as the passing of time.

http://www.penang-traveltips.com/farquhar-street.htm

http://www.penang-traveltips.com/george-town-unesco-world-heritage-site.htm

http://www.penang-traveltips.com/george-town-unesco-world-heritage-site.htm

http://www.penang-traveltips.com/george-town-walking-tours.htm

http://www.penang-traveltips.com/

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SK AND SMK HUTCHING

Reverend Robert Sparke Hutchings is the one who introduced the school of SMK

Penang Free. The reason of this school that is erected is because to place a

primary school and secondary school in one place. But however, it has separated

in a way to establish a primary school in order to remember the deeds of Rev.

Robert Sparke Hutchings and that is why the name of the school is SK

Hutchings.

It is a typical architectural building as other local school.

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ART MUZIUM PULAU PINANG

The Penang State Museum at Farquhar Street is housed in a colonial-era

building.It is to be built in two phases which are phase one in 189. When funds

were adequate, phase two was running in 1906.

The Penang State Government proposed setting up a state museum in 1962. The

idea was well accepted by the then Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. A

working committee tasked with setting up the Penang Museum was set up in

1963.Finally, the Penang Museum

was opened to the public on 14

April 1965.

The type of architectural style of

the building is Greek architecture

style.It is distinguished by its

highly formalised characteristics,

both of structure and decoration.

At the museum courtyard,the

original Penang Hills funicular

railway carriage, anchor from the French destroyer "Mosquet", cannon and the

billboard of Penang founder by Captain Francis Light can be seen.

The fully air-conditioned museum is separated into 2 levels. The ground floor

offers historical insight of the lives of the three major communities which are

Malay, Chinese and the Indians.

As Penang is one of the first city that started from sea trade, this place has

brought myriads of multi-racial communities co-existing side by side thus

potrays different culture yet uniquely Malaysian.

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CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION

Cathedral of the Assumption is the oldest

church in Penang. It has been sustain up to

160-year old. cathedral is a world heritage

church and was founded in 1786 by Captain

Francis Light. Set close to the Penang State

Museum & Art Gallery on Farquhar Street, the

twin-spired church houses the only pipe-organ

in Penang.

It was the first Roman Catholic church in

Malaysia’s northern region and was also the

first church in Malaysia built by the British. It

is not as popular as the Church of St. Anne’s,

which hosts the annual St. Anne’s Feast but it

is still a well-known Penang sight.

The rooms on the ground floor are particularly

interested in telling the story of the founding of

Penang, and the various communities that

came to settle there, between the late 18th century and the mid 20th century.

Experience the different cultures of the different communities, with the main

groups being the Malays, the Chinese and the South Indians.

The architectural style that has been applied at the building is a colonial

style.This is truly to be said as the buidling has a symmetrical facade yet may

have side porches or sunrooms on either or both sides.The building is rectangular

mass and be erected up to 2 stories building. The fenestration is double hung

windows with proportionally shutters.The entrance is at the centered and

accented with coliumns, pilasters, pediment and hooded to create a covered

porch.Other than that,the design element also include classical columns, two-

story pilasters, quoins at corners, and palladian windows.

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THE BOUTIQUE HOTEL 23 LOVE LANE

23 Love Lane Penang is a unique heritage property set within its own walled

garden right in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgetown,

Penang. The street is within Stewart Lane and Lebuh Chulia.

The buildings found behind the wall on Love Lane were actually built at

different times beginning from the 1800s. There are currently five different

architectural periods reflected in the buildings. This heart of George Town’s

building was originally a private residence owned by a European and later by a

local family. Along the way, it became the Oasis Hotel, until it was bought by the

present owner in 2007. A renowned conservationist joined the team of architects

and consultants and lovingly brought the buildings back to life in a three year

project. 23 Love Lane opened for business in December 2011.

Literally, this building gives a Chinese mood of impression when we are in front

of the place. This is because of the historical Chinese Gateway, which was

probably added when the bungalow came under Chinese ownership and it has

been conserved by specialist from China. Chinese traditional features are used

such as the compound ridge is delicately painted with rural scenes, the cut

porcelain pieces to make petals, feathers, and scales, phoenix’s wings and also

the Chien Nien figures for the column head.

However, once we enter the place, the whole building is actually the Anglo

Indian Bungalow. Anglo Indian Bungalows were prevalent in George Town from

the late 18th to the third quarter of the 19th century. This coincides with a

period when the South Indian community had a dominant presence in the

settlement. By the second quarter of the 19th century, the dominance was

gradually eroded by increasing influence of the ethnic Chinese communities.

According to the owner, the architectural form of the Anglo Indian bungalow

goes beyond looks or façades, it is about the plan, social and cultural use and

function, orientation and material used for the building. The plain and white

façade is representing the British while the interior is more likely to be Indian

style. The interesting part of this building is the outer look is definitely different

when we get inside. The sense of surprising and the cultural concerned through

this building makes the architecture values and history will not last.

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GODDESS OF MERCY TEMPLE

Temple of the Goddess of Mercy, or so-called Kuan Yin Teng, is one of the most

important temples in Penang. It is officially known as the Kong Hock Keong or

Temple of the Hokkien and Cantonese Communities, but that name is largely

unpopular among the locals. Kuan Yin Teng is located along Jalan Masjid

Kapitan Keling, formerly Pitt Street. Although far from being the biggest or most

ornate temple in George Town, it is the oldest and that makes it the mother

temple for the Taoists in the city. .

The temple is obviously represents the Chinese architecture where it is full of

Chinese ornamentation from the top to the bottom of the building. The yellow

stained walls of this ancient temple bears testament to some 200 years of pious

devotion of this building. The temple is constructed in accordance to Feng Shui

principles and it has three wells. One of them is on the right side of the main

shrine, another one is located outside the temple and the third is hidden under

the main altar of the Goddess of Mercy. The water from the wells is believed to

be able to cure illnesses.

The temple interior is usually filled with the scent of sandalwood incense, burnt

by devotees. The temple has the most interesting central inner courtyard, it is

where the alter for the god of prosperity is. In the courtyard are two huge iron

stoves where devotees burn paper offerings, an octagonal well which was once a

public well for the Chinese community as well as a comforting sight to view

feeding of flocking pigeons. The people usually will stand in the courtyard

between the alters and look up at the ornate carvings on the side of the roof to

feel the appreciation due to their beliefs.

The temple are built with characteristic of Chinese architecture and carved with

dragon and many mysterious creatures that stood up and act as the guardian of

the temple. Within the temple, in an inner chamber, is a statue of an 18-armed

Kuan Yin with each hand either containing a different cosmic symbol or

expressing a specific ritual position.

The tourists that already visited the temple will have the thought of how the

beauty of the historical culture can be. During the day, we will see the beauty

part of the architecture and soak in the sense of calm especially for Chinese.

While at night, the temple will be the most important area to the local Chinese

community to have their festivals and culture.

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MAHKAMAH SESYEN PULAU PINANG

Mahkamah Sesyen Penang is located at Lebuh Light, Georgetown Penang. This

historical building is actually an old aged nearly 100 years. It has been conserved

structurally in order to preserve the value of historical buildings in Penang.

This court is also one of the Anglo-Indian buildings in Penang. The plain and

white facade implements the British architecture and the features of the column

and openings are designed according to Indian architecture principles. This

enormous building creates a new landmark in the area. The great entrance with

such sculpture makes the building grand and welcoming. The style of formality

of its features exposed its function as a session court of the area.

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SK CONVENT LEBUH LIGHT

The Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, universally known as Convent Light

Street, is the oldest girls' school in Penang as well as in Malaysia. Convent Light

Street was founded by three French nuns of the Holy Infant Jesus Mission,

Sister Gaetau, Sister Appolinaire and Sister Gregoire, who arrived in Penang in

1852. It was a perilous sea journey in which their Mother Superior did not

survive. In Penang they were joined by Reverend Mother Mathilde Raclot, who is

credited as founder of the over 80 convent schools in Malaya, including

CHIJMES of Singapore.

In the beginning, Convent Light Street also

functioned as an orphange, taking in unwanted

babies of every race and background. In addition, it

also functioned as a boarding school, and some of

the boarders are from the upper crust of society,

daughters of royal families and wealthy families

from as far as Thailand.

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DEWAN SRI PINANG

Brutalist architecture did not make

much headway in George Town,

Penang. The "cold" appearance, as

well as the fact that buildings of the

brutalist design do not weather well,

makes this style rather unpopular.

Same as Bank Negara, it also

portrays rough and blocky

appearance gives the image of

brutalist architecture for the building. The design mostly involves horizontal and

vertical elements only. The repetitive angular geometries, make the blocky

appearance more stands out. The shading device for the upper window, the

column and the repeated shape before the flat roof of the building clearly shows

the repetitive elements.

A style of modern architecture, primarily in the 1960s, emphasizing heavy,

monumental, stark concrete forms and raw surfaces; may show patterns of the

rough wood formwork used in casting the concrete. Buildings in this style are

often suggestive of massive sculptures.

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BANDAR PERDA, SEBERANG PERAI

Bandar Perda is a township being developed in Seberang Perai. When

completed, it is to cover a 456 acre (186 hectare) plot of land bordered by Jalan

Permatang Batu and JalanMuthuPalaniappan to the south, Jalan Permatang

Pauh to the west, Jalan Permatang Nibong to the north and Jalan Abdul Kadir

to the east. The name Perda is an acronym for Penang Regional Development

Authority.

The most visible landmark in the area is the Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai

(MPSP). MPSP is one of the combinations of Romanesque and post-modernism

styles of architecture in Penang. This building is characterized by the semi-

circular arches and the used of domes. Romanesque is somehow known by its

massive quality, thick walls, large towers and decorative arcading. MPSP clearly

do not implement the Romanesque entirely. It is the combination of modern and

the Romans architecture because modernist high-rise buildings had become in

most instances monolithic, rejecting the concept of a stack of varied design

elements and that’s express MPSP indirectly.

Bandar Perda is also known as the new built town in the area. Hence, there is

not so much development of buildings (high rise). The area has only developed in

terms of the residential and schools. When we go through the area, there are

about 4 to 5 blocks of 20 storey common apartments with simple architecture

style. It is however suitable for the location and climate of Malaysia with hot and

humid because even though it is high rise building, the use of pitch roof is

maintained.

Within the area, there are also primary and secondary schools that are function

to facilitate the residents of the area. The nearest market is only at the Dewan

Serbaguna Kondominium Mutiara which is only filled by several shops owned by

the residents there. The public hall consists of some Roman architecture styles

with Corinthian column exposed at the entrance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monolithic_architecture

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CONCLUSION

To sum up, there are various architectural styles to be seen around Georgetown.

Many types of buildings are erected according to its purpose.As a comparison

between the buildings in Perda with Penang, both of these places have its own

characteristics to be said. For example, the building in Penang have various

architectural style.This is because Penang was one of the states that being

conquered by colonizer. As in Perda,the buildings is more to modern building yet

trying to take some classical elements literally without reasons. This has lead to

plagrism and it is totally unacceptable. The buildings in Penang is well-arranged

while the building in Perda are scattered as it is still in developing phase. Other

than that, the building in Penang has its own soul to be appreciated while in

Perda the most of the buildings do not have its architectural value to be highly

appreciated. So,it is proudly to be said that the buildings in Georgetown has

many historical stories that ought to be remembered and inspired.

urban trail of penang: georgetown and bandar perda

Documents

previous building

building islook

distinctive building

city hall of penang

colonialera building

urban trail penang aar

old town hall of penang

bank negara malaysia