Expanding the Longevity of Traditional Malay’s Architecture Identity: Diagnosing a Timber Building Defect of Perak Traditional Malay House

Abstract

A Traditional Malay House has a lot of significance value especially on its architecture and strength ability of the
timber building which brings the significance cultural value to the society. It was fully construct using the timber
material which is from many kinds of timber types such as Meranti, Jati and Chengal which considered is a robust
material and would last indefinitely as it does not deteriorate spontaneously. The atmospheric conditions such as
rain, frost and acids that would normally affect other types of materials only have little effect on the timber material.
Timber would only deteriorate if it was attacked by the certain external forces. Defects can be referred to fault on
something that detract from perfection, while building damage can be seen when any structure, material, equipment
and element of the building was not fully functional as to acceptable standard and function. Most of the typical
defects found in tropical climate in Malaysia are rotten timber, a slumped roof, damaged or deteriorated block
walls, and slumped ceilings. The aim of this paper is to establish a Similarity Defect Pattern of Perak Traditional
Malay’s House which focusing on Rumah Limas Bumbung Perak. For this paper, only objective no 1 and 2 were
discussed and further testing for one (1) no of Traditional Malay’s House as a pilot study. Based on that analysis, it
can be summarising that defect that often-attacked a timber building, especially in tropical country especially in
Malaysia was mainly caused by moisture problems and biological attack. A continuous exposure to these
environmental agents and pests without proper maintenance and care with preventive measures will speedily
decayed the buildings materials especially timber. To be conclude, the owner and caretaker for each Perak
Traditional Malay’s House must emphasis the maintenance aspect of the timber house including a reasonable care
of timber elements as to evade a serious consequence to the safety of the building thus resulting to destroying the
building.