Characteristics

Vernacular architecture is one such area where architects have been sourcing
climate responsive methods to apply to modern constructions. Vernacular architecture is
used to describe structures built by people whose design decisions are influenced by
traditions in their culture. Designs vary widely in response to local culture, society, climate
and available resources, changing over a long period of time via trial and error and
continuous adaptations.
The end result is a “traditional” design solution that is climatically appropriate,
culturally relevant and aesthetically pleasing. Whilst not the only factor, climate in
particular acted as a primary instigator, influencing architectural form as a means to keep
out the elements – rain, wind, sun and snow – and keeping the inhabitants comfortable and
sustainable the social lives in and around the built environment.
In the case of tropical Southeast Asia, the elements of vernacular architecture - such
as roofs, walls, screens, openings and floors - were all partially conceived in response to
hot and humid tropical climatic conditions (around 70-100% relative humidity and 30
degrees Celsius) as environmental filters, keeping the sun and rain out while letting the
breeze in. Vernacular house typical has the following features:
 A large and well-insulated pitched roof with deep overhang. The large roof is
typically thatched insulating the interior from the heat of the sun.
 It tends to be steeply pitched to efficiently drain off the water during a heavy rainfall.
And the deep overhang shields the interior from the sun and rain.
 A porch, verandah or other in-between buffer zone that is roofed but not enclosed
with wall so that it is shaded but also well-ventilated.
 Porous walls that screen the interior space for privacy purpose but admit breezes to
facilitate cross-ventilation.
 lightweight (moveable, earthquake proof) construction using low thermal capacity
materials to keep the house cool.
  Stilted style to catches winds of higher velocity
Materials
 Bamboo.
 Laterite.
 Timber.
 Stone.
 Rammed Earth or Atakpamé Walls.
 Wattle and Daub.
 Timber-framed construction.
 Pile dwellings.

Prominent Examples
Malay House

An example of the Southeast Asian vernacular house is the traditional Malay House.
Malay houses, or rumah kampung, represent the beauty and wisdom of traditional
architecture, of sharing a home with others, and of living in harmony with nature. Found
in villages or kampongs, including urban kampongs, around peninsular Malaysia and
Singapore, the traditional Malay House is a timber frame structure elevated on stilts with a
pitched roof that has deep overhang. (Lim 1998) In its simplest form, the traditional Malay
house is a structure raised on stilts high above the ground, covered with thatched roofs,
enclosed with wooden walls, and perforated with windows and lattices. The size, form, and
ornamentation of the houses depend on the size, wealth, and status of the family in the
community.
Traditionally, these settlements were a cluster of houses set in a compound —
incidentally, the word “compound” itself is derived from kampung. These dwellings were
often surrounded by the pastoral landscape of rice paddies, fruit orchards, and fishing
jetties, which were the sources of livelihood for the community.

Traditional Malay Houses

The Perabung Lima (lit. “five roofs”) style is distinguished by the unique style of
the roof, which resembles a five-sided pyramid (the word “Lima” means five in Malay)
influenced by Dutch-style home architecture. Malay houses in this style were commonly
found in the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perak, and was a favored style by royal
families for their palaces. The Istana Kenangan in Kuala Kangsar (above) was built as an
official residence for the Perak royal family.
 Rumah Bumbung Panjang

Malay houses are sometimes classified by their roof forms, and the Bumbung
Panjang (lit. “long roof”) style is the most common style in Malaysia, characterized by its
tall and long ridged-slopes. It is said that all Malay houses were traditionally built in this
style, prior to the arrival of the Dutch in the Malay Archipelago. Moreover, the Bumbung
Panjang style differed from one Malay state to another, depending on the preference of the
carpenter and the needs of the community.

Rumah Kutai
 The Kutai style is predominantly found in Malay houses in Perak, specifically near
Kuala Kangsar, which was the seat of the royal family. It is also known as the Rumah Perak
or Rumah Tua (lit. “old house”), as the word “Kutai” is another word for old in the local
Perakian dialect.
The Kutai style incorporates the Bumbung Panjang style, but it is distinguished by
the carvings on the door, porch, awnings, windows, and walls, which can be more elaborate
than other styles. It is also the style preferred by the Perak royal family and other influential
members of the community since the elaborate ornamentations were a luxury that could
only be afforded by certain people.

Rumah Gajah Menyusu

Another subset of the Bumbung Panjang style, the Gajah Menyusu (lit. “suckling
elephant“) style is named as such because the smaller house attached to the main house is
likened to a baby elephant suckling on a mother elephant. Typically built with thatched
roofs, this Malay house can be found commonly in Penang.