Reclaimed Timber Architecture in Malaysia
Gooi Residence and The Longhouse
SPOTLIGHT ON: MERBAU
- Species: Intsia spp.
- Origin: East Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia
- Common Applications: Indoor and outdoor furniture, flooring, decking and musical instruments.
- Characteristics / Appearance: Merbau has an orange-brown color when freshly cut. As it ages, it turns into a darker reddish-brown color. Its grain is straight to interlocked with a coarse texture.
- Janka Hardness Scale: 1,840 lbf (see chart on page 56)
- Comments: Merbau has strong characteristics, stability and durability. It is resistant to rotting and insect attack. It also glues and finishes very well.
Gooi Residence
The Gooi Residence is constructed entirely of reclaimed materials: timber columns, beams, trusses, floorboards, doors and windows. This two-story terrace house was carefully built with entirely recycled materials, including the unpainted antique bricks and timbers, that gave a combination of rusticity and warmth, and embellished with wooden furniture from the 1950s and 1960s.
The owner sourced a row of timber-louvered windows from old shophouses in Ipoh in the state of Perak and installed them on one whole wall of the reception hall, facilitating natural ventilation and sunlight. A simple timber balustraded stairway leads to the upper deck that has only one room with a dormer window for stargazing at night. Its flooring is finished in Balau. All the reclaimed timbers are sorted carefully for colour consistency, being sanded and polished for perfection. Its semi-open kitchen is furnished with cabinets and work benches that are made of reclaimed timber as well.
The "Longhouse"
Another building that is referring to native longhouses in the Malaysian state of Sarawak is the "Longhouse." This building within the Ferringhi Garden Restaurant is situated along the beach on Penang Island. This restaurant is completely built from reclaimed timbers sourced from old warehouses and schools. It has used up a total of 150 tons of reclaimed Merbau. Sharing a similar concept with the Telegraph Pole House, this restaurant has a long, one-room space with exposed timber trusses, beams, battens, flooring and paneled walls and doors. The parquet pattern on the upper part of the wall was sourced from the floor of demolished schools whereas the vertical pattern in the middle was newly created to mediate between the top and the bottom panels.
Frequently asked questions
What reclaimed materials were used to construct the Gooi Residence?+
The Gooi Residence is built entirely of reclaimed materials, including timber columns, beams, trusses, floorboards, doors, windows, and unpainted antique bricks. It is also furnished with wooden furniture from the 1950s and 1960s.
Where did the owner of the Gooi Residence source the timber-louvered windows?+
The owner sourced a row of timber-louvered windows from old shophouses in Ipoh in the state of Perak. They were installed on one whole wall of the reception hall to facilitate natural ventilation and sunlight.
What wood species is used for the flooring in the Gooi Residence?+
The upper deck flooring in the Gooi Residence is finished in Balau. All reclaimed timbers used were carefully sorted for colour consistency, then sanded and polished.
How much reclaimed Merbau was used to build the 'Longhouse' at Ferringhi Garden Restaurant?+
The 'Longhouse' building used a total of 150 tons of reclaimed Merbau. The timbers were sourced from old warehouses and schools.
What design concept inspired the 'Longhouse' at Ferringhi Garden Restaurant?+
The 'Longhouse,' located along the beach on Penang Island, references native longhouses in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It features a long, one-room space with exposed timber trusses, beams, battens, flooring, and paneled walls and doors.
Where did the parquet wall pattern in the 'Longhouse' come from?+
The parquet pattern on the upper part of the wall was sourced from the floor of demolished schools. The vertical pattern in the middle was newly created to mediate between the top and bottom panels.