Rumah Adat - The Community Center

City University Malaysia

Project idea

The Rumah Adat Kampung Puah project represents a deeply rooted architectural and cultural initiative aimed at preserving, celebrating, and revitalizing the identity of Kampung Puah a historically rich Minangkabau settlement in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. Strategically located at the main entrance to the kampung, the community centre is conceived not merely as a physical structure, but as a cultural gateway and social hub that reconnects the people of Kampung Puah with their traditions, while inviting the broader public into a shared experience of heritage, education, and engagement.
This project takes its architectural inspiration from the traditional Rumah Gadang of the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, Indonesia. Its distinctive buffalo-horn-shaped roof, carved wooden ornamentation, and elevated floor structure are adopted and reinterpreted within a contemporary Malaysian urban context. The design carefully blends vernacular elements with modern technologies and sustainable practices, reflecting a commitment to both cultural preservation and functional adaptability. The architectural character of the building embodies the spirit of Minangkabau Adatits customary laws, social order, and communal values, serving as a living narrative of identity and belonging.
Central to the Rumah Adat’s purpose is its role as a catalyst for cultural revitalization. The project acknowledges the gradual erosion of Kampung Puah’s traditional significance amidst the pressures of modernization and urban neglect. In response, the centre seeks to preserve and transmit cultural knowledge through exhibitions, workshops, archives, and heritage programming. Spaces within the building are designated for the display of traditional artifacts, storytelling, craft-making, and historical documentation, transforming the centre into a dynamic site of memory and learning. The outdoor programming complements this with a traditional wedding gazebo, performance stage, flower gardens, and community gathering spaces that further enrich the social atmosphere.
In addition to cultural aims, the project prioritizes community empowerment. By incorporating facilities such as carving studios, weaving classes, cafés, and retail spaces, the centre opens avenues for skill development and income generation. These spaces are specifically tailored to support local entrepreneurship and stimulate economic activity among Kampung Puah residents. Furthermore, the centre’s spatial configuration promotes inclusivity and engagement. Open pathways, multiple entry points, sky bridges, and visual connectivity from all directions emphasize transparency and accessibility. The building encourages social interaction, informal gathering, and cross-generational learning, ultimately strengthening communal ties.
The Rumah Adat is designed with careful attention to structural and environmental responsibility. A hybrid structural system consisting of timber, concrete, bamboo, and steel ensures durability while embracing sustainability. Passive and active fire protection systems are seamlessly integrated in accordance with Malaysia’s Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL), ensuring the safety of all occupants without compromising the aesthetic and symbolic integrity of the design. Treated fire-resistant materials, compartmentalized layouts, emergency exits, hose reels, and addressable smoke detectors are among the elements that support safe and functional operation.
Urban design principles play a crucial role in shaping the centre’s interaction with its surroundings. The building acts as a visual and social landmark, drawing attention to the forgotten identity of Kampung Puah and reinserting it into the city’s cultural narrative. Its location at the front of the village, clear axial orientation, and symbolic form create a strong sense of arrival and place-making. The structure not only facilitates programmed activities but also fosters spontaneous social encounters, pedestrian movement, and a sense of continuity between the village’s past, present, and future.
In conclusion, the Rumah Adat Kampung Puah project stands as a holistic architectural response to the challenges of cultural erosion, social fragmentation, and economic stagnation. It is both a celebration of Minangkabau heritage and a beacon for contemporary community life. Through its integration of tradition and innovation, symbolism and functionality, the community centre aspires to become a timeless landmark that reinforces cultural pride, inspires future generations, and revitalizes the spirit of Kampung Puah.

Project description

The Rumah Adat Kampung Puah community center addresses cultural, social, economic, and architectural challenges within a single, integrated solution. Rooted in Minangkabau heritage, the project preserves cultural identity through symbolic architecture, traditional motifs, and programming spaces for exhibitions, performances, and workshops. It revitalizes forgotten customs while providing a platform for intergenerational knowledge sharing.

Social empowerment is central to the project’s scope. Workshop rooms, gathering spaces, and classrooms foster community interaction and skill-building in crafts like batik and wood carving. These functions promote entrepreneurship, particularly for local artisans and youth. Commercial components such as cafés and retail areas further stimulate the local economy and tourism.

Architecturally, the design merges traditional and modern construction techniques using a hybrid structural system of timber, steel, and concrete. Passive and active fire safety systems are fully integrated in compliance with guidelines, ensuring safe, functional use. The building’s placement at the kampung entrance enhances accessibility, visibility, and connectivity through sky bridges and pedestrian pathways.

Overall, the project offers a culturally rooted yet future-facing solution, serving as a vibrant social hub, economic generator, and landmark of heritage preservation. It aims to strengthen Kampung Puah’s identity while equipping the community for long-term resilience and growth.

Technical information

The Rumah Adat Kampung Puah employs a hybrid construction system that blends traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering techniques. Reinforced concrete forms the foundation and main structural core, providing strength and durability. The roof structure is built using SHS and RHS steel members to achieve the essence of the iconic Minangkabau horn-like profile, assembled with modular ball-node joints for ease of construction and structural efficiency. Laminated timber is used for columns, trusses, and detailing, offering both sustainability and cultural authenticity. Mechanical fasteners such as bolts and nuts are used to enhance prefabrication and modularity.

The roof is finished with clay tiles, providing thermal insulation while preserving vernacular aesthetics. Additional lightweight structures, like gazebos and canopies, use timber framing suitable for semi-open outdoor spaces. The building spans two levels, lower ground and ground floor, and features interconnected pathways, staircases, and sky bridges for smooth circulation.

Functionally, the center includes exhibition areas, workshops, archives, prayer spaces, and outdoor performance zones. Fire safety is ensured through passive (compartmentation, fire-rated walls) and active systems (smoke detectors, hose reels, alarms), compliant with standards. The system supports sustainable practices, natural ventilation, and material reuse, making the project safe, adaptable, and culturally rooted within Kampung Puah.