THE HOUSE AND COMPOUND
The kampong (village) environment is generally cool and shady. Paths are unpaved and compounds are kept meticulously clean.
The traditional Malay house has an open interior, promoting good cross-ventilation and lighting and allowing the space to be used for many purposes depending on the season, occasion, or time of day. Since most activities take place on the floor, the need for furniture is minimal; bedding materials and sleeping mats are rolled up and stored during the day to eliminate the need for separate living and sleeping quarters.
The traditional Malay house has, over the years, evolved a very efficient addition system that grows according to the needs of its users. The core unit, or the ibu rumah, is the basic living unit for the small or poor family. The kitchen and toilet are often located on the exterior. From the ibu rumah, many possible additions can be made as the family grows bigger or as it acquires the means to build a bigger house.
Building a traditional house is a continual process, often taking months or even years to complete, with the pace of work and quality of construction controlled by the user. The basic addition possibilities are classified into three different types, but there are infinite variations in sizes and heights, and various combinations of types and quality according to the needs of the user.