Embracing Nature And Culture:
The Tropical Malay Spa Design
Author(s)
A. Bahauddin & A. Abdullah
Abstract
The tropical Malay spa design associated with a traditional Malay Single’s
House (Rumah Bujang) reveals a design construction in a setting that exploits the
surroundings. It is strongly linked to the Malay heritage and cultural values. This
paper explores the tropical design found in the Malay spa and how the spa
activities are interrelated with the architecture that houses them. The Malay spa
activities are glorified by the Malay people for the values of mysticism, spiritual
enhancement, physical well being and emotional uplift and this architecture
ensures the perpetuity of these cultural elements. This research ventures further
into the design of the Malay spa, which can now only be found in small villages
in the northern region of Malaysia and the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The
methodology employed for this research records the visual data collection,
architectural drawing documentation of spa design and observation of the
activities that take place. Interviews with the owners of spas and the people
receiving treatment provide a primary source of information. The Malay spa
design depicts a humble vernacular architecture that nestles in a setting planted
with fruit trees, flowers, herbs and spices. The Malay spa design in a Single's
House can be studied as one example of sustainable tropical design. Proper
planning of this architecture and its activity must be explored by complying with
the traditional Malay philosophy, rituals and customs. The traditional values of
the Malay people are apparent in this Malay spa, which justifies its continuation
and has long been viewed as embracing nature in every sense of existence. The
architectural elements portrayed are made strong with the symbiotic relationships
between cultural elements and the natural surroundings.
Keywords: spiritual, rituals, natural setting, Malay spa, vernacular architecture,
single's house.
Keywords
spiritual, rituals, natural setting, Malay spa, vernacular architecture,
single's house
Related Book
Other papers in this volume
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