| Summary: | Identifying Malay architecture within the Malay region is necessary due to the diversity of its forms, elements, and expressions, regionally and geographically. This broad diversity gives challenges for documentation, identification, and characterization. Traditional building forms and constructional systems of the past became 'fossilized' quickly. Until now, due to unestablished variables, there has been no proper documentation of the Malay architectural language and characteristics as a guideline to all parties. All well-known architecture styles are Traditional Malay and Modern Malay architecture, whereby Classical Malay architecture is yet to be defined. The architectural language is crucial for The National Heritage Department, Malaysia, to select and classify significant heritage buildings to be chosen for national heritage buildings preservation and conservation under the National Heritage Act. The rich variation of Malay architectural values and style needs to be observed, where some appear diverse, and some share the same prevalent qualities. Almost all the polity in the Malay regions share traits of the same character of Malay architectural principles. Narrative reviews were conducted to sort findings from previous scholars to justify the authentic principles and stylistic characteristics of Malay Architecture. The building facade and its form were the focus of the architectural physical attributes. Two building typologies were selected for cultural mapping analysis: The Traditional Malay and Aristocratic Malay buildings. These case studies were observed and mapped out for comparative analysis. Case studies' measured drawings helped to picture the façade elements and stylistic characters. The attributes were tabulated further into a list which defined the architectural language of Classical Malay Architecture. From the comparative analysis of these two typologies, the strong façade identity and principles were identified, which can fashion a new era of urban language. This study contributes to the local rules of architecture that carry identities of the climatic and cultural character beyond the variations and visual appearances. © 2023, Construction Research Institute of Malaysia. All rights reserved.
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