A PLACE OF IDENTITY : A CLANHOUSE IN PENANG

Abstract

A key value of traditional institutions lie in their facilitating a sense of historic and ethnic identity. Such an institution - the clan association - facilitates a sense of historic and ethnic identity for the chinese majority of Penang. The institution of the clan association is part of the cultural heritage of the people which should be kept alive. In order for clan associations to continue to thrive , its roles and functions should be periodically reviewed to meet the changing profile, needs and attitudes of the community it serves. With this in mind, what then constitutes an appropriate image for a clanhouse in Penang today? A clanhouse for the "Chew" clan will be proposed to investigate this issue. The objectives of the thesis are: 1) to investigate how the programme of the clan association in the Penang context may be improved to meet todays needs. 2) to seek an appropriate image for a clanhouse in view that its central value lies in its facilitating a sense of historic and ethnic identity. Traditional clanhouses of Penang merely provide the setting for rituals related to ancestral worship. In order to serve the community better, studies indicate that clanhouses should: 1) continue to provide the setting for chinese rituals. 2) offer facilities that would facilitate a sense of historical awareness. 3) cater to a wider scope of activities , primarily the provision of educational and recreational facilities. 4) be integrated with clan settlements and housing. The programme for the proposed clanhouse has been developed to reflect the above findings. In terms of architectural expression, the scheme seeks to: 1) use symbolic angles in planning to reflect the history of the Chews. 2) borrow imagery of Chinese architecture along the migration route of the Chews to inform on the appropriate image for the clanhouse. 3) respond appropriately to site forces and character.