The Influences of the Architecture and Ornamentation in Melaka Traditional Houses: A Case Study of Rumah Demang Abdul Ghani, Merlimau, Melaka

Melaka, which is located in in the southern region of the Malaysian Peninsula, next to the Straits of Malacca, is well-known as a state which is rich in its historical value. One of the famous traditional houses in Melaka is known as Rumah Demang Abdul Ghani, located in Merlimau, which is now gazetted by Melaka Museum Corporation (PERZIM) and Department of National Heritage under National Heritage Act 2005. It is well known as an authentic traditional house which considered as Malaysia’s national treasure. The purpose of this research is to investigate the factors influencing its architecture and the ornamentation found in the whole house, ranging from the roofs, walls, staircase and its planning layout. The building was very significant because of its historical value starting from the year that it was first built on 1894, been abandoned for a period of time before the conservation work done by the government on 2008, and now it has been converted as ‘Galeri Demang Abdul Ghani’. The house had been inherited by three generations of Headmen. Findings show that the architecture and ornamentation of this house is heavily influenced by several factors in terms of geographical, political, cultural background and civilization which will be discussed further in this paper.