Parliament Building (Photo: WikiCommons/ Cccefalon)
Cover Parliament Building (Photo: WikiCommons/ Cccefalon)

Discover the history behind some of Malaysia’s most prominent post-independence architecture buildings

The years after Malaya achieved independence in 1957 were exciting in terms of architecture. As a newly independent country that needed to establish the machinery of administration in its freshly minted capital, a series of buildings sprang up in Kuala Lumpur and its outskirts in the decade after 1957. 

Termed as post-independence or post-Merdeka architecture, this style reflected a captivating blend of cultural diversity and modern aspirations. It also embodied the nation’s journey towards identity and progress.

These representations of early modernist architecture have become iconic buildings in the Malaysian architectural landscape, and with Merdeka on the horizon, we delve into the histories of five of them.

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1. Stadium Merdeka

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Photo 1 of 3 A postcard of Stadium Merdeka, Stadium Negara and the Chin Woo Stadium (Photo: Millecartoline)
Photo 2 of 3 Stadium Merdeka was Malaysia's first Olympic-standard stadium when it was first built (Image: WikiCommons/SK Tan)
Photo 3 of 3 The entrance to Stadium Merdeka with the undulating room (Image: Wiki Commons/Cccefalon)

Stadium Merdeka, where Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaimed Malaya's independence, is a symbol of national pride and architectural innovation. Built in the mid-1950s, the stadium’s swift completion marked the country’s emerging identity.

Architect Stanley E. Jewkes fused modernist principles with local influence, featuring concrete terraces and a striking undulating roof. Islamic motifs and vibrant colours showcased multiculturalism.

The earthed amphitheatre design ingeniously repurposed soil and materials, setting records for lighting towers and cantilever roofs. Facing demolition in the 1990s, its heritage was recognised, leading to restoration in 2007. Today, as a national monument, Stadium Merdeka preserves its iconic role in Malaysia’s history.

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2. Dewan Tunku Canselor

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Dewan Tunku Canselor previously known as Universiti Malaya's Great Hall (Photo: Google Street View 2014)
Above Dewan Tunku Canselor, previously known as Universiti Malaya's Great Hall (Photo: Google Street View 2014)

The Grand Hall at the University of Malaya, now named Dewan Tunku Canselor, exemplifies post-independence architectural aspirations. Constructed in 1965-1966, it mirrors the nation’s emergence and academic ambitions.

Designed by architects Dato’ Kington Loo and Chris Bailey of the architectural firm of Boothy, Edwards & Partners or BEP, the hall merges Brutalist elements with cultural sensitivity.

Rather than overt references to Malay vernacular architecture, principles of tropical designs learned from these traditional buildings were applied to the new structure. This was expressed in deep recesses, brise-soleil sun shading, high ceilings and provisions for natural ventilation.

To attain that building's distinctive raw concrete allure, Bailey employed meticulous blueprints and illustrative guides for the shuttering or timber formworks—a craftsmanship he initially honed during his sojourn in India.

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3. Masjid Negara

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Masjid Negara (Photo: iStock)
Above Masjid Negara (Photo: iStock)

Masjid Negara, or the National Mosque of Malaysia, is one of the first contemporary expressions of traditional Islamic art calligraphy and ornamentation in post-Mederka Malaya.

Construction commenced in 1963 and culminated in 1965 and was designed by a three-person team from the Public Works Department, British architect Howard Ashley, and Malaysians Ikmal Hisham Albakri and Baharuddin Kassim.

Nestled within 13 acres of lush gardens, Masjid Negara features a soaring 73-meter minaret and a 16-pointed star concrete roof. Evoking the tropical essence, the main roof mimics an open umbrella, while the minaret’s crown resembles a folded one.

Ingeniously engineered, the concrete roof's folded plates enable expansive spans in the main congregation hall, accommodating up to 15,000 people.

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4. Muzium Negara

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Muzium Negara
Above Muzium Negara (Photo: WikiCommons / Slleong)

Muzium Negara, Malaysia's iconic National Museum's architecture, was inspired by Malay royal palaces and vernacular Malay architecture but realised using modern technology and materials.

Crafted by local architect Ho Kwong Yew, its inauguration in 1963 marked the pinnacle of post-independence design. The building’s striking form reflects the distinctive rooflines of traditional Malay homes, while the abstract concrete patterns resonate with contemporary aesthetics.

The most striking feature of the building is undoubtedly the large-scale murals. Crafted from Italian glass mosaic, these large-scale murals flank the main entrance and were conceived by the artist Datuk Cheong Lai Tong, in 1962, following a  competition commissioned by Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister.

The East Mural is titled Episodes of Malayan History, while the West Mural, named Malayan Crafts and Craftsmen, both depicting the rich tapestry of Malaysia’s cultural heritage and historical journey.

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5. Bangunan Parlimen Malaysia

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Parliament Building (Photo: WikiCommons/ Cccefalon)
Above Parliament Building (Photo: WikiCommons/ Cccefalon)

In 1963, Tunku Abdul Rahman, initiated the construction of a central administrative building to govern the newly independent democracy. Architect Sir William Ivor Shipley designed the building, balancing nationalist unity with Malay heritage.

Set atop a hill near Kuala Lumpur, the sprawling 16.2-hectare site accommodated a three-story podium housing the House of Representatives and a 17-story tower for offices.

The pineapple-skin façade controlled light and temperature, and the tower's innovative pre-cast terrazzo cladding panels shaded the interior. Completed swiftly with advanced engineering, the building’s inauguration marked a symbol of Malaysia’s democratic ideals and unity among its states.

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