Landmarks of Selangor: Menara Mesiniaga

Whenever I take the Federal Highway from Shah Alam to Kuala Lumpur and vice versa, this particular landmark stands out when in the Petaling Jaya/Subang Jaya stretch. In fact even while driving, I cannot help stealing glances at this architectural wonder that won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1995.

The Menara Mesiniaga (office of Business Machines Pte Ltd) is a 14-storey circular tower built in 1992. This 'most unconventional' and 'high-tech corporate showcase' was designed by architect Ken Yeang who espouses a 'green' philosophy in his work.

Among the design features are the vertical landscaping, and the incorporation of low-energy features that are ideal for our tropical climate.

A Peek into the Istana Alam Shah

Recently we had the privilege of joining a small group which were given a tour of  Istana Alam Shah, the Selangor royal palace in Klang.

Before going into the Palace proper, we were given a tour of the Royal Automobile Gallery housing the Sultan of Selangor's official and private cars. These include Rolls Royces, Ferraris, Jaguars, etc. and the vintage car used to complete the Peking-to-Paris Motor Challenge in 1997 to promote Malaysia.

A stone's throw away from the Gallery is the Selangor Football Museum, small but very interesting. The history of the Selangor team is traced here and one of the displays is Mokhtar Dahari's jersey worn at his last game.

At the Palace there was a welcome briefing by palace officials who then showed us around the various rooms and spaces. Among others, we were shown the Balai Santapan Diraja (Royal Banquet Room) that can seat a thousand guests.

We were also shown around the Balai Dewan Diraja (Council of the Royal Court Chamber), the Balairong Seri (Throne Room), the Royal Guest Bedroom, etc. All over there are paintings, photographs and artifacts that document and exhibit the important moments of the Sultan of Selangor and his family.

The afternoon visit ended with a high tea in fine dining style prepared by the palace chef. It was a memorable outing that gave us an insight into the life of the Selangor royal family.

5.55 pm

Landmarks of Selangor: Former Standard Chartered Bank

The former Standard Chartered Bank building, built in the early years of the 20th century, was the third branch in Malaya, of the Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China (now known as the Standard Chartered Bank). This building which occupies a prominent position in the heritage zone of Klang has distinctive features, especially in the three Dutch style gables; a fourth hidden behind the main block.

The former Standard Chartered building (CNB 2013)

On our walkabout of historic Klang recently, we found the building situated at the corner of Jalan Istana and Jalan Hamzah, now housing 'Chennai Silk'. Unfortunately, advert boards of the business within are most distracting and the beauty of the building's facades is hidden/lost from our gaze.

Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publications, 2003.

Landmarks of Selangor: Wat Thai Buddhist Chetawan

I used to live in Petaling Jaya while studying at the University of Malaya in the early 70s and I do remember a beautiful white and gilded Buddhist temple building surrounded by green trees and a lake. But I never had the time (really?) to visit it then. In my current resolve to visit/revisit Selangor landmarks, I went with M to check out the architecture of this building recently.

The Wat Thai Buddhist Chetawan (Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple) or simply Wat Chetawan is a fine Buddhist temple constructed and decorated in the Thai style. Built in 1962, it is located in Jalan Pantai, Petaling Jaya, and driving from Shah Alam, we found it easily using the GPS. No longer a single temple building (that I remember), the complex consists of several pavilions as well (mostly built 20 years after the main temple).

'In the glittering modern style of Rattanakosin or Bangkok School, the temple is raised on a low, moulded podium reached by a broad flight of steps. Two side doors lead from the entrance porch into the single space prayer hall where the sitting image of Buddha, ... is enthroned on an alter ... The doors and windows, ... show a slight inward taper, as do the main walls of the temple. The distinguishing feature of Thai temples is the three-stepped roof with spiky up-turned finials. The main chor fah ... is the frontmost, horn-shaped finial at the apex of the roof'.

The Bell pavilion used to be in a landscaped garden but is now flanked by new buildings, including the Amulet shops.

There are several buildings added on, including a pavilion with many holy images, facing the main temple. The Goddess of Mercy/Kuan Yin has her own pavilion nearby. Other buildings in the complex include the Dhammasala (Meditation Hall), the Columbrium, the Maitreya Buddha Pagoda, etc.

Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publications, 2003. 
28 August 2013

Landmarks of Selangor: Istana Alam Shah

The Istana Mahkota, 1903

Istana Alam Shah or Alam Shah Palace in Klang was constructed in 1960, in place of the old Istana Mahkota. Istana Mahkota, built for Sultan Suleiman for his installation in 1903, was demolished in the 1950's when work on the present Istana began on the same site. Since its construction, the Palace has undergone enlargement and significant renovation, and was the venue for the installation ceremony of the present Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah in 2003.

The Istana Alam Shah, 1960 -  (CNB 2013)

A central octagonal tower topped by a golden onion dome dominates the palace design with two wings on the side. "The high-pitched blue-tiled roofs on the new wings have been modified at the ends which are two pitched, curved gables typical of east-coast houses, in place of the old hipped roof".

The golden onion dome (CNB 2013)

The Palace is on an elevated location, overlooking the Sultan Sulaiman Mosque (see blog post 6 January 2013) and reached by a flight of stairs. 

(In progress)
Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publicaations. 2003.

Landmarks of Selangor: Kota Darul Ehsan

Travelling along the rather busy Federal Highway from Shah Alam to Kuala Lumpur and vice versa, I have passed under this spectacular double archway of Kota Darul Ehsan more times than I can remember.

Kota Darul Ehsan at dusk (CNB 2013)

Kota Darul Ehsan is a ceremonial gateway that marks the boundary between Selangor Darul Ehsan and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (a 244-square-kilometer area created out of a part of Selangor state in 1974). The gigantic double archway, (constructed in 1975), 'straddles what was the first dual carriageway in Selangor, the Federal Highway connecting Petaling Jaya and the nation's capital'.

The architecture of Kota Darul Ehsan is largely based on the features and motifs of the notable Mogul style buildings of Kuala Lumpur. Kota Darul Ehsan has twin pointed arches with two smaller side arches that spring from 'Y'-shaped capitals on grooved concrete pillars. Bands of decorative Islamic geometric patterns frame the arches. Across the top the name of Kota Darul Ehsan is spelt in English and Jawi. Crowning the central pillar is a chatri (from the Hindi chatta, 'umbrella'), the umbrella-shaped cupola surrounded by finials, replicated from the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. Small onion-shaped domes top the corners and over the small side arches are two smaller chatris.

Kota Darul Ehsan during the blue hour (CNB 2012)

There are cannons at the base of the archway facing both directions. These old cannons, are originally from Kuala Selangor. Kota Darul Ehsan lights up at night and is indeed an impressive gateway.

Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publications, 2003.

Landmarks of Selangor: State Memorial

The Tugu Peringatan Selangor or Selangor State Memorial/Monument in Shah Alam commemorates those who gave their lives for the state. It is located in the formal landscaped garden of the Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, the State Secretariat building. Constructed in 1981, the architect is Dato' Dr Hj Baharuddin bin Abu Kassim.

'Four pointed arches are raised high at the four corners supported on faceted pylons, forming a soaring tower topped by an octagonal dome with a bronze finial. Islamic geometric patterns decorate the haunches of the arches, pylons and drum of the dome. The underside of the dome features a series of rising niches, decorated with gold mosaic and sealed with a rosette at the apex'.

The first time I tried to visit the monument, I went to the State Secretariat building with another purpose - to pay the quit rent. But I went in via the back gate/entrance and could not locate the monument in my walk through the grounds. I asked a few people I met, and they did not know anything about it! Then a security guard told me of its location outside the front gate/entrance. So I returned on this date with B to take these photos. We had the monument to ourselves except for a wedding couple and their photographer.

Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publications, 2003.

Landmarks of Selangor: Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Often times we pass through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, Selangor without really 'knowing' it. I have always been in awe of this wondrous 'futuristic' structure, one of the last mega-projects of the 20th century in the country, opened in June 1998. Brainchild of Tun Dr Mahathir, it was designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa who applied a philosophy of 'symbiosis of nature and architecture'. Hence swathes of tropical forest in a hi-tech airport structure.

KLIA approach for departing travellers (CNB 2012)

The three main components of KLIA are the main terminal building, the adjacent contact pier and a satellite building, linked to the previous two by an automated track transit system. The departure forecourt roof form is "a hyperbolic parabaloid shell structure on conical columns". The airport interiors have a "transparent, ultra-modern, hi-tech look" due to the extensive use of frameless double-glazed walls, exposed steel trusses, shiny aluminium surfaces and polished granite.

Departure Hall, KLIA (CNB 2012)

The KLIA master plan, when fully executed will eventually enable the airport to handle 100 million passengers each year. So ... if you are flying off somewhere soon from KLIA, do observe how beautiful it really is.

On leaving KLIA at dusk (CNB 2012)

Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publications, 2003

Landmarks of Selangor: Rimbun Dahan

I saw the information about the 18th Residency Exhibition at Rimbun Dahan in the newspapers. So early in the morning of 17th March, M and I ventured to visit this landmark of Selangor, home of architect Hijjas Kasturi and his wife Angela. Rimbun Dahan is a 14 acre site in Kuang. Getting there was a bit tricky despite a GPS, but after a few wrong turns and with help from some locals, we arrived a little late because Angela had already begun her guided tour of the grounds.

She related the story of how her husband wanted to build a home in a kampung setting. And what a 'kampung'! Rimbun Dahan was built between 1989 and 1997 and 'is a centre for the creative arts, architecture, and the conservation of nature and buildings'. The main building which is their living quarters on one side and linked to the guesthouse on the other is surrounded by indigenous gardens, ponds, pools and sculptures. The modern design of the buildings 'reflect traditional forms - the bumbung panjang (long roof) and the tiangs (posts) of the traditional Malay house'. There are studios for dance and artists-in-residence, spaces for indoor and outdoor performances, an underground gallery and a garage of classic cars (notably Jaguars - I like!).

Right wing of the main building (MB 2013)

Part of the main building seen from the pool (MB 2013)

The grounds are planted with trees and plants of the Southeast Asian species. A spice garden was most interesting and Angela graciously offered seeds/cuttings to anyone interested. I noticed that the pala (nutmeg) trees (from Indonesia) were rather tall and fruiting well. So also there were many other fruiting plants and trees - cucumbers, lady's fingers, etc.

Water garden with a sculpture on the left (MB 2013)

A restored 19th century Malay house from Perak, the Rumah Uda Manap, proved quite unique as there are Chinese decorative elements on it. Two other relocated/heritage houses are nearby.

A Perak Malay house with Chinese details (CNB 2013)

From inside the above house (CNB 2013)

The back of the dance studio opposite the garage (CNB 2013)

Sculptures dot the grounds and somehow rather blend in with the environment. We had to leave (after thanking Angela) but without seeing the exhibition by resident artists Helmi Azam Tajol Aris and Jonathan Nichols. We had to rush back to Pulau Pinang after receiving news about my beloved mother.

Two sculptures in Rimbun Dahan (CNB 2013)

Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publications, 2003.
Website: www.rimbundahan.org

Landmarks of Selangor: Shah Alam Stadium & Melawati Stadium

The Stadium Shah Alam and Stadium Melawati (or Malawati) are two stadia of the Selangor State Sports Council, built between 1994-1997 in Shah Alam. 'Designed (by Hijjas Kasturi Associates) for large scale sporting and entertainment events, these structures combine traditional features with some spectacular modern innovations'.

Stadium Shah Alam
This is a partially covered stadium that seats 80,000. The roof structure is rather dramatic and it seems that 'from the air, the stadium looks like a partially open giant eye, without the eyeball'.

Every time I pass by this rather dramatic structure, I think of the 'giant eye' and the spectators moving along the vomitoria* of it to get to their seats and watch a great game/concert, hopefully. I have never been into this stadium for any sports/concert, so I do not have any 'inside' photos of it. But I hope to do so to get a feel of its grandeur. Anyone got free tickets for the next great game/concert there?

Stadium Shah Alam (CNB 2013)

One half of Stadium Shah Alam (CNB 2013)

* Not the place to vomit (eeuw!), but the architectural term for 'Passageways connecting an outside entrance to a tier of seats'.

*Update 29/09/2014*
Last night I got to enter the Shah Alam Stadium to watch The Sultan of Selangor's Cup 2014 match between Selangor and Singapore. Check out my blog post "My first football game: TSSC 2014" dated 29 September 2014. Below are two pictures of the stadium interior taken during the event.

Stadium Melawati
This stadium seats 12,000 on four sides of a central space and is air-conditioned. The roof is covered in copper sheets so the indoor arena is totally enclosed.

I have been into this stadium a couple of times, once to see the RTM Hits 1 finals concert which A was co-hosting. But I do not have any pictures of the inside of this stadium, nor do I have good pictures of the outside!

The copper roof of Stadium Melawati (CNB 2013)

Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publications, 2003

(In progress - I hope to take better pictures)

Landmarks of Selangor: Sultan Alam Shah Museum

Muzium Sultan Alam Shah is the state museum of Selangor and is located in the Shah Alam city centre, Section 14. The architect/designer is Dato' Dr Hj Baharuddin bin Abu Kassim and construction was in 1988.

The Museum building is part of the Civic Centre of this state capital of Selangor, and is linked to the Theatrette with its very distinctive traditional Bugis style roof.

Exhibits in the galleries are of artifacts related to the history of the Selangor, the Sultanate, replicas of royal regalia and significant events. There is a Natural History section as well.

Entrance Forecourt into the Museum (CNB 2013)

I have visited the Museum a few times, getting 'lost' in the three gallery floors. The exit is at the back of the building, so you do have to go around it to get back to the entrance forecourt. But it is rather worth it because you will be rewarded with the sight of a lake and the magnificent Blue Mosque.

Note: The State Library (Raja Tun Uda Library) was moved from being next door to this Museum to a new site. I wrote a post about the State Library on 12.12.12.

Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publications, 2003.

Landmarks of Selangor: Cash Centre, Bank Negara Malaysia

The Cash Centre Bank Negara M'sia in Shah Alam. The tall
building at the back is a hotel (CNB 2013)

One Sunday recently, B drove us to the Shah Alam city centre to have a rather late lunch at the Teapot Deli, SACC Mall. After lunch I told her that I would like to check out some Selangor landmarks in the vicinity. One of the buildings we stopped at to photograph was the Currency Processing and Distribution Centre or Cash Centre of the Bank Negara Malaysia.

This building, constructed in 1988, was designed as symbolic of  "old
world banking - a 'key' for security and a 'treasure chest' for safeguarding

Back of the building (CNB 2013)

money. The 'treasure chest' is represented by the barrel-vault form of the central spine that serves as a continuous roof light along the top of the building." The 'key' can only be observed from overhead. Since I am neither bat nor bird I cannot confirm this myself. The architect of this rather unique building is Dato' Hj Zainal Abidin.

The location of this Cash Centre is right smack in the city centre with roads running all around it. In fact many do not even realise it is there. I used to pass by it many times but never noticed the building until I found it listed in the book "Landmarks of Selangor".

Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publications, 2003.

Landmarks of Selangor: Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque

I have written about the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque (aka the Blue Mosque) before in my blog post of 30 June 2012. But as a very significant landmark of Selangor, I am posting a second entry on it in my continuing series of the 'Landmarks of Selangor' as I visit/revisit them (focusing on their history and architecture)*.

Ornate fencing around the Blue Mosque (CNB 2012)

This magnificent building in Shah Alam (SA) was built in 1988, at the behest of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, when SA became the new capital of Selangor. He requested of the designer/architect (Dato' Dr Hj Baharuddin bin Abu Kassim) for the design to be traditional and able to accommodate 20,000. The mosque is set in 14 hectares of landscaped grounds on the north bank of the eastern lake** of SA.

The tall minarets lend a fairy tale look (CNB 2013)

Malaysia's Blue Mosque has one of the largest domes of a religious building in the world; 51 metres in diameter and 54 metres in height from the hollow box ring beam that supports it. The ring beam, both outside and inside, is decorated with beautiful Quranic calligraphy. The four minarets soar into the sky at a height of 138 (or 142?) metres.

The Blue Mosque seen from the state museum (CNB 2013)

* Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publications, 2003
**Shah Alam has at least six man-made lakes.

Landmarks of Selangor: Indian Muslim Mosque

Masjid India Muslim in Klang (CNB 2013)

The Masjid India Muslim (Indian Muslim Mosque) at Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang is just a stone's throw from the Sultan Suleiman Building. Its history dates back from 1904, when the site was awarded by Sultan Alaeddin Suleiman Shah to the mosque's founder, R. E. Mohamad Kassim.

An earlier timber building was replaced by a concrete and brick structure and officially opened in 1974. The present day four-storey building built in 2009 is to cater to the growth of the Indian Muslim community in Klang.

The sky was downcast by the time we approached the Masjid (on Saturday, 05/01/13), so I only took a photo while at the traffic light junction before we headed for home. I need to visit at a later time for a better look.

Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publications, 2003.

Landmarks of Selangor: Gedung Raja Abdullah

Entrance to Gedung Raja Abdullah (CNB 2013)

Gedung Raja Abdullah in Klang, is the oldest Malay building in Selangor. A departure from traditional all-timber construction, this building was built in 1856. Raja Abdullah, appointed by Sultan Mohamed as Chief  of Klang, built it as his house (first floor) and store (for tin, mining implements and supplies). It was modelled after his father's house in Lukut.

This half-brick half-timber structure has housed many tenants after Raja Abdullah left Klang in 1867 during the civil war fought against Raja Mahadi. The building was bought by the colonial government and used by the British Resident as his headquarters, the State Treasury, Survey, Land and Post Offices. In the 1880s the police took it over until 1974. In 1984 Badan Warisan Malaysia undertook conservation of Gedung Raja Abdullah and in 1985 it was re-opened as the State Museum's Muzium Timah.

Gedung Raja Abdullah (CNB 2013)

The first time I set eyes on this interesting building was four years ago and it was closed and looked sadly neglected then. Last Saturday (05/01/13) when we went there, it was still closed and still looked sadly neglected. (There was a proposal in 2006 to move the building brick by brick to another site near the Istana Alam Shah because the present site is 'traffic logged').

According to the current Perbadanan Adat Melayu & Warisan Negeri Selangor* brochure, this building is undergoing conservation and upgrading work.

* In 2009 this body took over the functions and responsibilities of the Lembaga Muzium Selangor (State Museum)
Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publications, 2003.

Landmarks of Selangor: Sultan Suleiman Mosque

Masjid Sultan Suleiman (CNB 2013)

Constructed in the year 1932, the Sultan Suleiman Mosque is sited just below the Istana Alam Shah. A and I stopped by to take some pictures, after visiting the Royal Gallery at the Sultan Suleiman Building on Saturday (05/01/13). We noted the unique egg yellow of its numerous domes.

The building's most beautiful interior is of  'Islamic, neogothic and Art Deco detailing'.

There is a model of this mosque in the Muzium Sultan Alam Shah and the architect is noted as a British, L. Keste Ven (i.e. Leofric Kesteven). The mosque can accomodate a congregation of 3,000.

Ref: Landmarks of Selangor. Jugra Publications, 2003.