ANALYSIS OF DESIGN OF MOSQUES IN

KUALA LUMPUR FROM PRE-INDEPENDENCE

TO POST-INDEPENDENCE OF MALAYSIA

Hee Kar Hang | Lissa Lai Jing Ying | Ahmad Nabil bin Jimi | Foo Ming-Wei, Fabien | Aidiel Syazrie bin Azhar
 Introduction

Mosque architecture has evolved in such a way that an overview of mosques within the Muslim
world would reveal widely varied interpretations and mutual adaptations. This can be traced through
1,400 years of development beginning with the first mosque archetype built during the time of the
Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.). Muslim communities in Malaysia thus have the freedom to build
mosques that fulfil their religious functions and architecturally embrace aspects of Islamic teachings
as well as the local culture. Existing literature on the history of mosque development exhibits a
tendency to marginalize Southeast Asian and Malaysian mosques within the larger context of Muslim
architectural discourse, in spite of the relatively impressive range of mosque architecture that can be
found here.
 Timeline
Independence Day
[ 1957 ]

1909 1965 1971 1982 1996 2000

Saidina Abu Bakar Federal Territory

Jamek Mosque National Mosque Al Akram Mosque As Siddiq Mosque As Syakirin Mosque Mosque
 Questions

● How does the ornamentation change from pre-independence to post-independence,

specifically from the 1900s to the 2010s ?

● What craftsmanship is involved in the different decades from the 1900s to 2010s ?

● How ventilation in mosques changes from the 1900s to 2010s?

● How has modern technology affected the use of materials in comparison from
pre-independence to post-independence, specifically from the 1900s to the 2010s ?
 How does the ornamentation change from
pre-independence to post-independence,
specifically from the 1900s to the 2010s ?

● Post-independence brought upon technological advances which opened up doors for the
construction of ornamentations to thrive.

● Unlike pre-independence, the construction methods then was limiting the possibilities for design
variation.
 Pre-independence (Jamek Mosque)
● Heavily inspired by Moorish architecture.
● Organic elements and symmetry at the arches shows
the influence of classical architecture.
● The main arch and smaller arches are very distinct, the
smaller arches are in repetition in order to diffuse the
main focus on it.
● Ornamentations at the edge of the roof are intricate
 Post-independence (National Mosque of Malaysia)

● Linear.
● Less organic, more geometric.
● Due to its influence of modernism, organic elements
have been foregone.
● No distinct difference between the main entrances
and sub-entrances.
○ Entrances are similar to one another.
● Has intricate details at the edge of the roof/awning.
○ Details are geometric but repetitive.
Post-independence (National Mosque of Malaysia)

● Has calligraphy motifs on its exterior walls.

● Not the traditional calligraphy as it is geometric.
● Sunni mosques commonly use calligraphy in their
designs.
● The ornamentation is more complex and intricate.
● Repetitive geometric patterns are heavily used.
 What craftsmanship is involved in the different
decades from the 1900s to 2010s ?

● Construction methods have evolved over the years to suit more innovative designs.

● Construction materials have also been changed to better suit the structural needs of the building
as well as for sustainability.
Pre-independence (Jamek Mosque)

Material and Construction

● Colonial mosques uses concrete, bricks and steel

for its building which requires more handwork in
the construction process.

● Brick masonry method is used to construct the

mosque, requiring extensive labour work to lay
the bricks individually by hand.

● The craftsmanship involved in the construction is

mostly human hand work, expressing very
humanism details.
Pre-independence (Jamek Mosque)

Dome Roof

● Mosques of the colonial period have a common

feature, the dome roof.

● The structure of the dome is dependant on the

precision of the masonry arrangement.

● The stable dome structure express the excellence

in craftsmanship.
Pre-independence (Jamek Mosque)

Plastered Renderings

● The cornices, capitals, pilaters and arches of

Jamek Mosque are ornamented and rendered
with plaster material.

● These symbolic renderings were done in every

detail by hand, representing the precise
craftsmanship of the era.
Post-independence (National Mosque of Malaysia)

Material and Construction

● Uses reinforced concrete, strong enough for

structural purposes.

● Post and beam structural system is used in the

mosque instead of expensive structural walls.

● Construction starts with the installation of rebar,

concrete is cast into the formwork, lastly await for
solidification.

● The process involves less craftsmanship of human

hand work, inducing more of a ‘lifeless’ building
compared to the colonial mosque.
Post-independence (National Mosque of Malaysia)

Concrete Folded Plate Roof

● The National Mosque features a concrete folded

plate roof, different from common mosques.

● The roof is constructed starting with the

formwork, then inserting reinforcements, lastly
casting the concrete and let it settle to dry.

● The craftsmanship involved are more of an

overall consistency instead of detail precision.
Post-independence (National Mosque of Malaysia)

Plaster Renderings/Timber Carvings

● The modern National Mosque consist of the

rendering feature of both colonial mosque and
vernacular mosque, incorporating both plaster
renderings and timber carvings.

● The plaster renderings are repetitively pre-crafted

by machines, whereas the timber carvings involve
adequate amount of hand work, along with a
composition of machinery work.
 How ventilation in mosques changes from the
1900s to 2010s?

● Passive cooling was the most used cooling system in pre-independence mosques as it relies on
natural ventilation.

● It features the use of the facade, open spaces and evaporative cooling which are also used in
post-independence mosques.

● Mechanical ventilation became a very much needed commodity as technology began to evolve
and became more efficient in cooling a room or an area with many people.

● This was accompanied by the increasing temperature of the surroundings which affects the
thermal comfort of visitors. Pre-independence mosques have also started to adopt mechanical
ventilation systems.
National Mosque of Malaysia

Open Spaces
● Pre-independence (Jamek Mosque)
○ These open spaces allow for large amount
of air to circulate and cool down the
spaces.

○ The marble floor retains the cool air and

provides a cooler surface for traversal.

● Post-independence (National Mosque)

○ The National Mosque courtyard
incorporates natural elements in its design
which help with controlling the
temperature of the surroundings.
○ It’s walkways are also open and shaded by
the long overhead roof.
●
National Mosque of Malaysia

Evaporative Cooling
● Pre-independence (Jamek Mosque)
○ The Jamek Mosque has recently
incorporated a water fountain in its
courtyard which assists in cooling the
courtyard on hot days.

○ The mosque is also built where the river

splits into 2 which helps with the cooling of
the area.

● Post-independence (National Mosque)

○ The National Mosque is designed with a
few pools of water in its layout which
increases the efficiency of evaporative
cooling taking place.

○ A fountain is built for the mosque as well.

National Mosque of Malaysia

Mechanical Ventilation
● Pre-independence (Jamek Mosque)
○ Initially, the Jamek Mosque relied on
natural ventilation but implemented
mechanical ventilation later on due to the
increase of temperature.

● Post-independence (National Mosque)

○ Post-independence mosques implement
the usage of mechanical ventilation due to
its efficiency to cool down a room filled
with many people.

○ Air-conditioning is usually placed at the

main prayer hall while the other prayer
areas are accompanied by fans.
 How has modern technology affected the use of
materials in comparison from pre-independence
to post-independence, specifically from the
1900s to the 2010s?
● Materiality is an architectural aspect that affects construction as well as the overall aesthetics
and genus loci of a building.

● Before independence, there was a rise of colonial buildings due to the British influence and
materials such as masonry bricks and concrete were dominant in the architectural scene.

● Modernism started to take its place in Malaysian architecture and the advancement of
technology allowed for materials like concrete, steel and glass after independence.
 Pre-independence (Jamek Mosque)

● The Jamek Mosque utilises masonry as its main structural material.

● It is a material that reflects the history of Islamic architecture as bricks are known to be the oldest material used in
Iranian and Persian architecture.
● Red, textured walls of brick gives a historical feel as if stepping into the past.
● These bricks laced with white plaster is clean and smooth compared to the rustic bricks to symbolise Malaysia is in a stage
of transition where aspects of the past and future are merging.
● The red bricks and white plaster also symbolise the ‘blood and bandage’ .

Plaster
The brick walls of Jamek Mosque
are laced with a smooth but slightly
textured white plaster detailing that
Bricks offsets the rustic look of the bricks,
The bricks of Jamek Mosque are symbolising the modern influence
also inconsistently coloured, some as Malaysia at this point was in the
are darker tones of red, some are midst of change with the British
lighter which adds a rustic, influence.
historical feel to the mosque.
 Post-independence (National Mosque)

● Most post-independence mosques, utilise reinforced concrete as its main structural material as well as post and beam.
● The concrete is covered by a variety of tiles such as white Italian marble tiles while columns are covered by black tiles.
● Walking through the mosque, surrounded by flat, smooth walls in addition to the heavy contrast between the white and
black tiles gives a sense of modernism and how far Malaysian architecture has gone especially after the country’s
independence.

White marble tiles

The walls of National Mosque are Black mosaic tiles
structurally composed of reinforced These tiles are only found covering
concrete but are covered by white the concrete columns of the
Italian marble tiles, making white as mosque. Due to the mosque being
its main colour which shows purity mainly in white, it contrasts with
and the influence of modernism. the white backdrop of the mosque.
Conclusion

Through the analysis of the designs of mosques in Kuala Lumpur from pre-independence to
post-independence era of Malaysia, we have learned more about the ornamentation, construction, ventilation
and materiality of pre-independence and post-independence mosques. The mosques of their respective eras
were designed to fit the needs of the people of that era which can be seen through aspects such as
construction and ventilation. Preservation of pre-independence mosques are needed as there is only one in
Kuala Lumpur which is the Jamek Mosque. While the Jamek Mosque is built with traditional design,
post-independence mosques are designed with an original touch, signifying Malaysia’s hand in finding its own
identity. The two eras differ greatly but certain aspects of the old mosques are being changed to suit the
current age and environment which makes it share similarities with the modern post-independence mosques.
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