Influence of Culture on the Private Spaces of Cultural Advocate

Houses in Kelantan
Syed Mohamad Afiq1 and Nor Zalina Harun2
1 rd
3 Year Landscape Architecture Students,Dept. of Landscape Architecture, KAED,IIUM.
2

Asst. Prof. Dr. Nor Zalina Harun, Lecturer, Dept. Of Landscape Architecture,KAED,IIUM.

Department of Landscape Archtitecture, Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environment Design. International Islamic
University Malaysia, Gombak

Abstract

Malaysia is known as the cradle of Malay culture residing many cultural advocates. These
cultural attributes range from fine arts and cultural performances. This paper propagates that
through exploration of the private spaces composition of the cultural advocates houses may
lead to a better understanding and appreciation throughout the cultural heritage. The paper
first identifies typologies of private spaces of their residents. Secondly, the paper discovers
the influence of cultural activities towards space composition. The research employed site
observation and semi-structured interview as the main methods for data collection. Reviews
on cultural studies in Malaysia revealed that many of the cultural advocates reside in the east
coast of peninsular Malaysia. The respondents include three cultural advocates of different
cultural activities. The outcome of this paper reveals seven types of spaces utilized by the
advocates in demonstrating their artworks. The spaces are identified as exhibition area,
gallery, craft area, the collection area, multipurpose-area, inspiration area and workshop.
Keywords: Private spaces, cultural advocates, Malay settlement, typologies, cultural activities.

INTRODUCTION
Exploratory reviews on the study of places identified that the focus is more on public
spaces rather than private spaces. Madanipour (2003) mentioned in his study that a private
space is an individuated portion of social space that individual encloses to control for their
exclusive use. Even though the culture is still preserved, however the numbers of the cultural
advocates are decreasing day by day. These are due to the rapid urban development, the
increase of standard of technology as well as the loss of interest among youth on the culture
preservation.
This paper discourses that the study of private spaces may have stimulated to the findings
in the field of the built environment. The cultural advocates as well as the influences of the
cultural activities towards space composition can achieve these through the study on
typologies, function or any other indicators that are reflected.
The aim of this paper is to explore the private space composition of the Malay cultural
advocates houses in peninsular Malaysia and it is formulated to identify the typologies of
private space as according to Malay cultural advocates and studies on the influences of the
cultural activities towards space composition.

LITERATURE REVIEW
A. PRIVATE SPACES
Private space is defined as an area belonging to, controlled by or owned by an individual
for that individuals exclusive use (Madanipour, 2003). Nagel (1995) mentioned in his study
that private space is a space gives freedom based on individual that interrelated with human
rights. It is correlated with universal protection of every individual against being justifiable
used or sacrificed in certain ways for worthy purposes. Differentiation of private spaces and
public spaces can be identified in terms of the ownership, type of user, spaces utilization and
the limitation of the user. The functions and activities of each respective private space are
different in consideration to the tangible or perceived role and position of the individual. Its
contrast to each individual incorporated into a space arrangement and utilization
(Madanipour, 2003).
Private spaces can be as public space as well due to the utilization of spaces and the
behavioural patterns based on the individual private spaces. Madanipour (2003) explained
that private spaces are individuated portions of social space that individual enclose to control
that provides a home for the body with mental or portable personal spaces. In addition, a
private space is an area that reflects the owner's personality in responds to the things that are
thought what to matter the most. This is because a private space showcases its own
characteristics reflected by individuals personality that is shaped by the influences and
experiences that are designed to meet pressing practical needs.
The typologies of private spaces are divided into two. Firstly personal spaces that
subjective space depends on the individual performs the social acts, feel safer and in control
of their physical structure (Madanipour, 2003). Secondly, a gated community is seen as a
private space signified by its physical character such as the walls marks the borderline, doors,
windows that separate between private and public space that act ds 2008).

B. MALAY SETTLEMENT
Malay settlement was founded in the rural area of Peninsular Malaysia due to the
activities conducted by the Malays and the physical quality of the area due to its source of
water and food as the main factors. The patterns of Malay settlement are clustered and linear
following the characteristic of the area (Abdul Halim Nasir, 1996). Basically, The
architectural building of Malay settlement uses stilts that act as a protection from animal and
to avoid flood fluctuations and for air ventilation.
Malay settlement can be classified into four types of settlement, such as fishing villages,
paddy settlement, settlements in a cash-cropping area and settlements in a mixed cultivation
in Malaysian landscape. Usually Malay settlement located in coastal, hilly and any other
features that influenced by environment factors and climate. Malay settlement surrounded by
resources such as forests, rivers, mountains, and hills, including the flora and fauna found
confines of humans this is because theses sources are for humans to continue surviving
(Norlizaiha, 2010).
Malay society is known for their richness of culture, identity, values, lifestyle and
opinion. There are three main groups in Malay society such as primitive, society and farming
communities. Islam had a big influence on the pattern of cultural life at that time after the
influences of Hindu after 13 centuries. Malay society practices three types of value that are

spiritual values, aesthetics and ethics that in respect to the spiritual life that is based on the
morals and character (Abdul H & Wan H, 1997).

C. CULTURAL ADVOCATES
Cultural advocates experience a smooth creativity, beauty and understanding of something
that they do as their profession promotes the Malay cultural arts which is to support the
Malay philosophy, culture expression, natural features appreciation and the aesthetic value.
Art is a connection between the society and cultural advocates that can be produced and
controlled (Rahmah B & Nor Azlin H, 2004). The appreciation of art instilled in the cultural
advocates is expressed through the form of cultural arts as claimed by Read (1984). Jamal
(1992) believes a cultural art is an image and reflects the society in which it brings more
exclusiveness in a society. Other than that, cultural advocates influence the society by their
creativity and invasion in producing the cultural arts.
There are two categories of cultural advocates in Malay cultural art such as fines and
performing art (Rahmah B & Nor Azlin H, 2004). The understanding of fine art is on the
display feature that every cultural advocates practice by taking rupa or art as their
fundamental references and existence in any items or objects. Malay fine art is divided into
two categories that are two-dimensional fine arts and three-dimensional fine arts. Differences
between two are depth, length and width for three-dimensional. Examples of Malay fines arts
are kite, drawings, songket, sculpture, traditional attire, ceramics, brooch etc.
Performing art is another way to exhibit good values and manners of the society by
cultural advocates. Communication is the method among the society through cultural
activities (Rahmah B & Nor Azlin H, 2004). Cultural advocates are responsible to conduct a
session to perform the arts that consist of interesting, smooth, beautiful, and nice for viewers
to appreciate because cultural advocates are talented and experts on what they are doing. The
success of performing arts depends on the ability of the mind to think, the emotion, the
feeling and force of will so that the viewers are able to feel the satisfaction, perfection,
comfort towards the appreciation of performing arts. Examples of Malay performing arts are
syair, pantun, kompang, gamelan, dikir barat, wayang kulit, mak yong etc.
METHODOLOGY
In order to study the composition of a private space in Malay cultural advocates houses
there are three methods in gaining the data such as observation, interview and document
analysis. Two types of data are involved, which are primary and secondary data.
A. DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUE
Observation Technique
Observation is a process of monitoring and recording the subject studied without
influencing or disturbing the surrounding (Yount, 2006). The primary data illustrated as a
data observed or possessed at once from the researcher which obtain the data by the
researcher. The data was attained from visits and observation on the composition of private
spaces in Malay cultural advocates houses. This technique helps to identify the indicators
and reasons of the influences cultural activities according to cultural advocates. Meanwhile,
the data observation was illustrated to provide better understanding of the layout selection.
Semi-Structured Interview Technique
This study employed semi-structured interview technique that carries verbal

estimation of questioners to encourage the participants to answer more spontaneously.

Interview technique is a conversation with specific objectives of gathering information (Berg,
2004). Semi- structured interview was conducted individually (face-to-face interview) to
deliver comparative data collection. The purpose is to compare different responses and
classify them in the context of parameters of study. The interview questionnaires are intended
to answer the research questions and objectives 1 and 2. The interview was conducted in
Malay Kelantan languages. The three session interviews were recorded and the information
gathered from the interview was explained in the form of interview scripts in order to extract
the related information. The questions were prepared in an organized format to avoid
repeated questions asked by the interviewer. The interview questionnaires that consist of 43
questions, which are divided into four sections to facilitate data collection namely (a)
Respondent profile, (b) To identify typologies of private space According to Malay Cultural
advocates. (c) To study the influences of the cultural activities towards space composition,
and (d) Opinion based
B. DATA ANALYSIS
Secondary data was described as data gathered or referred from other people. According to
Boote and Beile (2005), describing, summarizing, evaluating, and clarifying the report of the
studies in a related research area are involved in document analysis. The data was in written
documents such as reviews on books, journals, articles, and research papers, video on
function of private spaces, function and typologies, activities, the composition of private
spaces. The literatures covered the information about private spaces, Malay cultural
advocates, and Malay settlements. Most of the documentations were accessed from the
University Technology Mara (UiTM) and International Islamic University Malaysias (IIUM)
online databases including Proquest Dissertations and Theses, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect,
and Scopus. Thus, the documentations were made to enhance and complement the results and
findings from the interview and observation techniques.
C. SITE SELECTION
The site study of this research was conducted at east coast in peninsular Malay due to the
identity of society, area and surrounding will reflect the cultural arts activities. This study
was conducted in in Kampung Laut, Morak, Tumpat and Pantai Cahaya Bulan, Kota Bharu
district in Kelantan, Malaysia.
1. CASE STUDIES
CASE STUDY 1

Figure. 1: Space composition in Pak Yusufs private space

Yusuf Bin Mamat known as Pak Yusuf is a cultural advocate of puppet shadow
(Wayang Kulit) located at Kampung Laut, Kota Bharu. According to Pak Yusuf, composition

and arrangement is not mandatory as long as he can do his artwork comfortably. His private
space is place for training, resting, puppets practices and any other daily activities. The
typologies and function in the private spaces are the priorities of Pak Yusuf in his space
composition. Shadow puppets area or known as Panggung is the most important area that
contributes in the cultural activities because of its function as to how Pak Yusuf exhibit his
artwork to the viewers during the night. These typologies are important to Pak Yusuf as doing
cultural activities delights himself. The presence of these spaces allows him to find
inspiration, work, playing puppet shadow in groups, communicates with society through
cultural activities.
CASE STUDY 2

Figure. 2: Space composition in Pak Dains gallery

Muhammad Dain Bin Othman or normally call as Pak Dain in Kelantan as cultural
advocate of puppet shadow (Wayang Kulit). Born and raised in Tumpat and lived in
Kampung Paloh. Pak Dain is very knowledgeable in puppet shadow, because he tutored and
inherits the art of puppet shadow with late Tok Awang Lah and late Karim Parido, master of
puppet shadow.
Due to limitation of spaces and funds, Pak Dain re-arranged the composition of spaces
in his private space for the utilization and comfortable purposed. The composition of spaces
consists of outdoor panggung, gallery, office, craft room, multimedia room, indoor
panggung, workshop, reading area, puppets area, and instruments area. Main spaces such
outdoor panggung, office, craft room, and workshop are always used because this spaces area
the most important continuance cultural activities. Each space has it's own functions towards
the expressive arts by Pak Dain
CASE STUDY 3

Figure. 3: Space composition in Pak Sapies workshop

Sapie Bin Jusoh or Pak Sapie is a well-known kite-maker in Kelantan. Currently 67 years
old and stayed at Kampung Kedai Buloh. Usually, showcases floral motif in his arts work,
which is observed by his surroundings, inspires Pak Sapie. According to him, Gods creation
is beautiful and spacious and his appreciate towards the creation by implement in his artwork
so that other could appreciate
The composition of spaces in his private spaces consists of craft area, workshop, wau
room and store. His workshop is purposely for kite making and act as tourist attraction
checkpoint in Kota Bharu. The most frequent space use by Pak Sapie is craft area, because
the less demands of kite-make and friendly comfortable area for kite making in small scale.
Based on site observation and interviewed session, Pak Sapies private spaces is generally
utilized as working area for him. The spaces play important roles to exhibits the passion and
spirit of Pak Sapie towards cultural activities specifically in kite making.
CONCEPT OF PRIVATE SPACES ACCORDING TO MALAY CULTURAL
ADVOCATES
The definition of private spaces among the experts basically has common perception
when explaining the term private space. Generally, at first phase thought cultural advocates
averagely defines private spaces as an area belonging to the cultural experts that own the
territory and has freedom to do whatever they want. This is because, private spaces is an
individual area which outsiders have permission to be in the area. Generally, it is different
than public spaces due to the public ownership that open for people and accessible. The
cultural advocates has mentioned private spaces are the expression of their soul, which
means an area for they become themselves without thinking others.
In addition, Worsely (2000) mentioned in her study, which it reflects the owner's
personality that explores and defines the owner's feelings. As well as Cattell V et al (2007)
also mentioned to sustain the tone of the community, by practicing the social interaction that
provides activities are the reflection of the owner towards spaces.

TYPOLOGY OF PRIVATE SPACE ACCORDING TO MALAY CULTURAL

ADVOCATES
In terms of the typology of private space according to Malay cultural advocates, several
specific types of spaces recommended to each cultural advocate to fulfil the needs in cultural
activities. The study showed several typologies of spaces consist of exhibition area, gallery,
craft area, the collection area, multipurpose-area, inspiration area and workshop area are
applicable to any type of cultural advocates in their cultural activities. Table 1 shows
recommended typology of spaces that fulfil the needs of cultural advocates
Typologies of
spaces

Function of spaces

Craft Area

The craft area is the area for making art, which consists the process of
crafting and colouring.

Exhibition Area

The exhibition area act as the performance area that exhibits the cultural
arts such Panggung for puppet shadow

Gallery

This area is purposely for the collection of kite or puppet. Proper way to
exhibit the collection for visitors.

The Collection
Area

The collection area acts as storage for the cultural art and instruments.

Multi-Purpose
Area

The area for any, related to cultural art activities.

Inspiration Area

This area for cultural advocate to brainstorm the idea of art, develop skills

Workshop Area

This area purposely act as extended area based on demands.

Table 1: Typologies and function of the spaces in cultural activities

THE INFLUENCES OF THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES TOWARD SPACE

COMPOSITION
The study showed influences of the cultural activities towards space composition
outlined several factors which influences cultural activities such as demand, public
participation, the activities, cost and the limitation of spaces. Spatial organization is important
as it influences the cultural activities.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND DESIGN

The finding of the study clearly shows that the typologies of spaces are based on the
cultural advocates need in the cultural art activities. The study showed each cultural advocate
should have a proper working area with the implement the characteristic of a good workspace
namely (a) communication skill, (b) work habits, (c) relationship, (d) good values, and (e)
sense of self. The cultural advocate should consider the factors of spatial organization based
on (1) space limitation, (2) activities, and (3) public participation. Other than that, the cultural
advocate should enclose to nature due to the appreciation towards natural elements as one of
the processes to produce artwork as well as the stimulation of five senses in the daily life of
cultural advocates. Nature element can boost the individual performance on mind and
physical also the improvement on individuals mood (Research Shows Nature Helps With
Stress, 2011).

Figure 4: The stimulation of five-sense with nature environment

CONCLUSION
This study identifies the typologies of private spaces according to Malay culture
activities as well as the influences of the cultural activities towards space composition that
help to proceed the study. The research has developed the understanding regarding the
relationship between private spaces and cultural advocates. It has succeeded in determining
the composition of private spaces in Malay cultural advocates accordingly as the key research
question in this study. Therefore, a different cultural advocate has a different perspective
towards space composition in cultural activities. The outcome of the study is cultural
advocates should be able to produce a space quality of the cultural artwork. Other than that
cultural advocate should expose to be with nature and stimulate the five senses in their daily
life.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author wishes to express his gratitude to his supervisor for as well as course
coordinator for his instruction. Thanks also go to the cultural advocates for willing to help to
pursue the study. This article is a continuation analysis of the findings from a report, which is
a part of the authors dissertation.
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