Appreciating century-old buildings
PURSUING architectural studies gave 22-year-old student Fatimah Az Zahra Nor Azzam an opportunity to research on local and foreign buildings. As a final-year undergraduate in Bachelor of Science in Architecture at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), she and her coursemates are required to take architecture heritage studies.
The main idea of the Heritage Studies is to document and do measured drawings of heritage buildings, especially in Islamic countries, to preserve the architecture, history, evolution and building elements and details, for future reference.
“It is a subject offered in semester three on selected buildings that are 100 years and above. It has covered many places in Islamic countries besides Malaysia, such as Turkey, Iran, India, Egypt, China and Indonesia.
“The study comprises the history of a place; and the design and details behind the building.
“It consists of two parts — the first part is the visit to a selected building for two weeks to collect data, conduct interviews and do the measurements, while the second part is to do the documentation of the building in multimedia form and models, as well as a report.”
Students are also required to produce a short book, which is a summary of the report; and a “Thurah”, a compilation of six buildings that have been studied by the students.
“The practice of heritage conservation and preservation of buildings in architectural study and built environment is important as it allows interpretation of historical and cultural factors that have shaped a civilisation,” she said.
Fatimah said the university’s Department of Architecture had been documenting heritage buildings since 2000.
Just recently, the Department of Architecture organised its 18th Heritage Studies Exhibition at Kuliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design Gallery to give the public the chance to know more about the buildings that are being studied.
Fatimah said the exhibition was aimed at providing exposure and understanding to the public on the concept planning and richness of the architectural heritage studies of the Muslim world.
“Besides, it is also a platform for architecture students to exhibit their work and get acknowledgement by the public,” she said.
This year’s exhibition was coordinated by Assistant Professor Dr Nurul Hamiruddin.
Six buildings were selected, comprising of two schools in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru, three mosques in Kuala Kangsar, Johor Baru and Kerala; and a residential in Kerala, India.
Fatimah’s team, Layar, did a study on the
The practice of heritage conservation and preservation of buildings in architectural study and built environment is important as it allows interpretation of historical and cultural factors that have shaped a civilisation.”
Ubudiah Mosque in Kuala Kangsar.
She was given the task to research, record and analyse the findings on site and any historical event related to the construction of this royal mosque.
“This exhibition presented our work. We produced handmade models, presentation boards and drawings.”
Pursuing the course cost her quite an amount of money — from buying compatible laptops and computers to complete the design, to printing materials and building models. However, she said it did not matter “if you are passionate about it and are self-motivated”.
“It is a love-hate relationship,” Fatimah added.