THE CONSTRUCTION OF NATIONAL IDENTITY IN INFLUENCING THE FACADE OF MALAYSIAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

National architectural identity is vital for a developing nation because it acts as a symbol of unity as well as instilling a sense of pride and affection for the country. However, the purpose of inculcating national identity in the country’s-built environment has not been well implemented by many involved parties and the crisis has surfaced in many public and government buildings typologies namely the higher learning institution in the Malaysian context. The purpose of this paper is to identify the national architecture identity issues and to highlight the factors that influence the development of prominent higher learning institutions found in the local context. Educational building typology was chosen as it has always reflected a society’s stage of development and influential to the country’s advancement. This paper employs a narrative-qualitative approach using the interpretive paradigm to study on three case studies related to administrative building facades of public higher educational institutions in Malaysia namely UKM, USIM, and IIUM. The analysis of these building facades is based on two main indicators namely the constant and dynamic local factors.  Findings of the study in the form of established referential guideline design on national architectural identity for the higher educational institution will inform future designers, builders, education providers, and related authority on how to efficiently instils national identity approach. This is vital towards outlining the best possible interpretation of Malaysia’s architectural identity formation, so that the country can thrive in the face of turmoil in the future.