SPECIAL PROJECT 2:
SUNGAI BULOH LEPROSARIUM
SPECIAL COLLECTION
SUNGAI BULOH LEPROSARIUM
Leprosy is a contagious disease caused by the Mycobacterium leprae bacteria, where mandatory segregation had been commonly practised to curb its spread. Leprosaria were built as leprosy asylums to segregate the leper patients from the mass public. However, strict segregation was done with little consideration for the leper patients’ basic human rights. The ‘Mission to Lepers’ formed in 1874 advocated for a humane segregation policy to address the unsympathetic treatment suffered by the leper patients. The Sungai Buloh Leprosarium also called the National Leprosy Control Centre (NLCC), is well known for its humane segregation approach in its settlement design during the 1930s. It features a self-sustainable model of the human settlement living heritage, fulfilling the needs for leprosy patients' social and health well-being.
The Sungai Buloh Leprosarium Settlement Organisation
The settlement planning of the Sungai Buloh Leprosarium was based on the Garden City concept that gained attention during the 20th century. The core principle of Garden City planning lies in integrating open spaces, residences, and agricultural land surrounding towns (Lim, 2012). The influence of the Garden City movement in the British urban planning approach has resulted in a similar settlement pattern to the Sungai Buloh Leprosarium. This planning corresponds to the humane segregation method where three characteristics are highlighted: 1) natural and pleasant surroundings, 2) human-scaled and intimate space, and 3) organic arrangement (Lim & Lim, 2017). They depict the village setting as one that offers desirable conditions that would benefit the physical and psychological needs of the patients (Robertson, 2009). The ‘natural and fair atmosphere’ of the Sungai Buloh Leprosarium settlement also represents an external social environment that allows the patients to feel at home living there (Chai, 2009, p.465).
The leprosarium settlement began with the establishment of the Eastern Section in 1930, depicting the idea of Garden City planning. The Western Section settlement was completed in 1934 to accommodate the frail dwellers. The planning of the Western Section shows a strong sense of linearity. The Central Section of the leprosarium was established in 1937 and includes two types of dwellings (also known as cottages) and shared facilities. The first type of dwelling was timber, and the second type was built with concrete blocks. The timber dwellings are arranged in a linear form along the axial roads (see Figure 1). The Central Clinic serves as the focal point where some of the concrete block dwellings are placed in a concentric manner. Others are arranged in a linear form at the eastern side of the Central Section settlement. Shared facilities such as religious buildings and social gathering places are located within the settlement to accommodate social activities. Planning the dwelling's configuration creates a sense of openness with sufficient space to accommodate daily living and social interaction with other dwellers.
Figure 1. Locations of the documented buildings, cottage no. 508 and cottage no.365 at the Central Section of the settlement
The leprosarium contains various public buildings within the settlement to support the communal living of the leprosy patients. These buildings include three types: institutional, commercial, community, and religious. Within the eastern section of the settlement, institutional buildings include medical labs, facilities, and schools. There is also a market building and various clubs (see Figure 2). Religious Buildings like mosques, Hindu temples, and Chinese temples accommodate diverse spiritual practices, providing spaces for ceremonies, educational programs, and cultural events.
Figure 2. Location of the Rehabilitation Club at the Eastern Section of the settlement
Heritage Dwellings: Cottage no.508 and Cottage no.365
The study of inhabited spaces of the timber dwelling is based on the representative typology of cottage no.508 (see Figure 3). The inhabited spaces of this dwelling type include the porch at the entrance, the room in the main house, the detached kitchen and the corridors surrounding the building and between the main house and the kitchen (see Figure 4). The main house features an ample open space that can be configured freely as a living room, bedroom, or dining room, based on the preference of each dweller. The detached kitchen provides the space for meal preparation, cooking and food storage. The porch and the corridors serve as transitional spaces. The porch marks the entrance to the main house and offers a space for social interaction. Dwellers may use the porch and the corridors as an extended space for the outdoor garden where flowerpots may be placed.
Figure 3. The timber heritage dwellings (cottage no.508 is in the middle).
Figure 4. Spatial configuration of cottage no. 508