ABOUT:
Malaysia has a pretty poor
record so far as restoration and conservation goes for its old
pre war buildings. Many are left abandoned, vandalized, torn down
or just plain fall down.
Malaysia's pre war buildings can have rich design styles taken
from western, asian and Islamic influences. Building designs can
also include interesting solutions to Malyasia's hot humid climate.
When all these different elements are combined, it creates a fascinating
flavor of architecture and design to behold and appreciate.
This project started out in 2006 with the intention to seek out
these remaining forgotten buildings, irrespective of whether it
was once a palace, mansion or just a simple house, and to record
its current state of preservation and where possible research
its history.
Abandonments in general have always fascinated me as they have
that lure of mystery about them. Who lived there, what was its
history, why was it abandoned?
From a photographic point of view the decay and decomposition
of a structure gives a fascinating scope for composing a picture.
Natural decay, mold, nature and even vandalism can bring on an
interesting photo even with my limited photographic skills.
But far from attempting at being a technically proficient photography
site, this site is an exploration and historic site first and
fore most.
Ultimately I hope in the near future
to turn this work into book form. |
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The
Big house
Visit date:
2008 | Year
of build: 1850's
Hidden in a palm oil estate lies this
fantastic lost mansion and looked after by a Tamil family
for the past 60 years. |
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Guinness
house
Visit date:
2008
| Year
of build: 1934
A fantastic little house, a good example
of quality and not quantity. |
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The
Crag hotel
Visit date:
2008
| Year
of build: 1929
One of Penang's top hotels in the 1930's.
Today it sits abandoned, if authorites got their act together
this once again could be a top tourist attraction. |
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The
Relau villa
Visit date:
2008
| Year
of build: 1930's
The Relau villa, a strange abode with
a central fresh water swimming pool. The orginal roof is long
since gone leaving the villa looking more like a Roman ruin
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