A GUIDELINE FOR DESIGN CONCEPT

WITH
REFRENCES TO VERNACULAR AND IN
CONTEXT WITH LOCAL TRADITION AND
PLACE
THE METHODOLOGY BASED ON THREE COMPONENTS

REFERENCE
KRAFT, COSTUME AND ARTIFACTS
ENVIRONMENT AND TRADITION

PROCESS
ABSTRACT AND LITERAL
SELECTION

CONTEXT
BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND NATURE
AND CULTURE
 Traditional references in design.

Tourism attraction for a destination is based amongst

others on the character and special uniqueness of the
experience sought by visitors in their travels. They range
through all the human senses of sight, sounds smell,
texture, taste and their combinations. These are all
presented within the context of the environment and
their cultural, social and historical sense of the place.
Sensitivity to these factors and making connections to
enhance these qualities are important in the
development of facilities especially in design and
architecture of the built environment.
 REFERENCES
The representation of the essence of a place
Rungus ladies in traditional costume
Lepa lepa of Bajau Laut,Semporna
INANING - pattern from Murut weavings Nansiet Ungkuyon (engagement day)

Lumayau Sinampipin
Sinimpung (strong unity)
(looking for a new settlement area)
 Motif based on the Kaliagah
(mythical dragon), Spiders, fish
and birds on a background of
flowers and leaves.

Kain Pis embroidery from the Rungus ethnic group

Finial elements such as the layang layang or silang
bergunting placed at he gable ends of the roof is a
cultural reference to many traditional building in
south east asia.
Motif from kain dastar from Kota Belud

Serimpak, head dress of the Bajau women of Kota Belud

The embroidery work of sabah
can be a major source of motif
references
 The vernacular is a filtration of many
generations of slow evolution of form that fit
to its ethnic origins, culture and function, a
uniqueness of place. However the rapid
change in development and need to
address new roles for buildings and
structures previously unknown to the
community require a conscious creation in
design which still reflects the same
uniqueness of place.
 REFERENCE METHOD
Meaning and Use

The tools and devices in

making traditional
references in design is
either in abstract or by
direct representation.
 Direct or literal reference to the
form.
Motif used is the kain dastar,
layang layang dan sarempak
from Kota Belud

Federal Multipurpose complex, Kota Belud

More abstract references on the

vernacular via transformation
building form.
Motif used includes geometry
of national Mosque in Kuala
Lumpur.

District Mosque Sulaman Tuaran

 Mt. Kinabalu Golf Club.
Building form in context with
mountains

Mt. Kinabalu Golf Club, Kundasang.

Old Colonial Building with

steep roof and pilotis at ground
floor referenced local House
form
Old JKR office Kota Kinabalu.
 The pattern was referenced in the creation
of wall screen to a spa building in a new
resort development.
Lumayau sinimpung (a
ceremony to make peace)
 Reinterpretation of form
using new material such as the
“sand blast” to granite.
Motif “meeting Place”

Le Meridian Hotel Kota Kinabalu

Interior decoration
are integral to the
objective where the
references and context
is extended to details
Origin to the Sonata roof of the Bongo house Kudat
Ceiling at part of the lobby, Le Meridian, Kota Kinabalu
Original pattern, Lumayau Sinampipin
(looking for a new settlement area)

Motif extraction New pattern abstract

 CONTEXT
Place and Time
Building in context of landscape
Rungus Long House
 meaning and use
of a reference
material will
change when it is
Long House Rungus chosen and Tower House Bonggi
mixed or
extended for a
new use

Bamboo House dusun Malayu House

 Features of window openings in its vernacular form are based on frames and wall finishes

Bajau Lotud Bajau

Murut house Bajau Rungus

 Rungus Long house
Mattungung Kudat

Scale form and

divisions are one of the
basic form of reference
Rungus Long House

Interior of a longhouse. The

inclined wall and arrangement
of vertical and horizontal
elements is a unique feature.

Exterior view. The spacing of

components are closer for
private space at the rear.
 Vernacular elements

Dusun Bamboo Entrance to Murut Eaves details, Lotud

House house House
Building on slopes
A building Form referenced to
local vernacular. There are
numerous elements in traditional
vernacular which are surprisingly
ingenious and unique.
 Layang layang

Water jar at Roof eaves

entrance stair profile
Rungus

Murut warrior
shield at four
corners Wide stairs
Kota Belud

MORPHOLOGI
 Roof clerestory

Verandah and steps to garden Trees at eaves

Exploration in search of hierarchy of form to elements through the
use of patterns, scale and complexity from traditional embroidery.
The abstraction of
traditional elements
can yield new
forms which are
whilst new will still
retain the
connection to the
vernacular.
 THANK YOU

ARKITEK A. KARIM HUSSEIN