CENTRAL MARKET
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JALAN TUN TAN CHENG LOCK,
KUALA LUMPUR
AN INTRODUCTION
Central Market Kuala Lumpur or also known as Pasar Seni is one of the historical buildings in Malaysia. It is situated at Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock and just required a few minutes walking distance from Petaling Street. It is a famous landmark for Malaysian culture and heritage which is nearby to several tourist attractions such as Masjid Jamek, Sultan Abdul Samad building and Dataran Merdeka. Central Market is strategically located close to public transportation links such as the Pasar Seni Station which is one part of the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang line and LRT Kelana Jaya line. Therefore, it is easier and more convenient for tourists to access from various location in Kuala Lumpur to Central Market. Central Market is a must-visit spot for tourists as it shows the unique Malaysian culture, art and craft.
HISTORY OF CENTRAL MARKET
The Kuala Lumpur Central Market is also known as Pasar Seni or Pasar Budaya. As of now, it acts as a hub for arts, crafts and culture in Malaysia. The Central Market we know today has undergone several extensions and renovations over the years, which successfully turn the platform into a beautiful marketplace for tourism. Central Market is now building with a trapezoidal shape with the size of 123.7 meters long, 7.9 meters high and 60.8 meters. This is also a commercial cultural centre mainly for preserving and selling traditional handicrafts that originated from various races in Malaysia.
The origin of Central Market began in 1888. Initially, it was a wet market in Kuala Lumpur opened for its citizens and also the tin miners. When the expansion of the wet market started afterwards, a long-lasting building was constructed to accommodate every single vendor. Marketplace (2008) booklet described that in year 1889, 1895, 1920 and 1921, Central Market had expanded even more. When it reached the 1930s, in order to get the existing size art deco façade and size, the permanent structure went through further improvisation. It was renamed as Pasar Besar Kuala Lumpur that then became a wet market. Throughout Central Market’s flourishing period as a wet market, it was where people went for day-to-day supplies. The building could take in three cold rooms to store frozen meats, 170 stalls for fruit and vegetable, 158 stalls for fish, 36 stalls for beef, 27 stalls for pork and 20 stalls for poultry.
When Dayabumi (situated oppositely to Klang River) was being constructed, Urban Development Authority (UDA) demanded to demolish Central Market along with the old shop houses around it for the Dayabumi Phase V, a commercial offices and hotels development project. In Marketplace (2008) booklet, it was stated that The Malaysian Heritage Society had won a petition against the destruction of the market. Later on, it was refurbished and established into a hub for crafts and arts in 1985. Its opening was officiated on 15 April 1986, and to date it was popular as Pasar Budaya that had numerous shops interiorly selling a variety of products from souvenirs to clothes. Melewar Leisure Sdn Bhd, a branch of Kumpulan Melewar Berhad, obtained the ownership of Central Market and utilized the sales of Malaysian Arts and Handicrafts goods to advertise the Malaysian Culture.
Once recognized as the biggest room in Kuala Lumpur, Central Market was then made a declaration as the Hub for Malaysian Culture, Arts and Handicrafts. Central Market Sdn. Bhd. purchased the lease from Melewar Group via an open tender by Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Bhd in 2004 and has since been managing the building.
The market now has three hundred outlets that sell local handicrafts and restaurants, collectibles, souvenirs and textiles. Central Market is also a spot for art exhibitions and cultural performances, thus subsequently has become a tourist attraction centre.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
As for the architectural design, Central Market features Art-Deco architecture which was completed in 1937. In 1953, Central Market won the Best Decorated Building award in a competition held in conjunction with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
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The architecture style of Art Deco made Central Market very noticeable in comparison to other buildings at Kuala Lumpur. The enormous glass-paned windows and the skylight of the building are the most distinguishable features of Central Market. Central Market was considered as the first energy-efficient building in Kuala Lumpur because the window and skylight were covered with blue-green colured Colorex rolled plate glass which allow 61% of sunlight and 20% of heat penetrate into the building.
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Meanwhile, windows and doors of the Central Market used up to 6,430 square feet of coloured Colorex glass. The doors of the building have a neo-Egyptian step. The tall rectangular window at the entrance of the Central Market was an application of symmetrical geometric shapes of Art Deco architecture.
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There are different types of architectural design found in the internal parts of the Central Market that serve as pillars. The designs are a creation of geometric forms, deliberately to deliver the design of Art Deco style.
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One of the most famous architectural styles of this building is ziggurats which are at the top of Central Market’s entrances. Two linking rings arranged vertically at 22 entrances emphasized on Art Deco ideology of symmetry and geometry. Every entrances of the Central Market had pyramid motifs that were selected by the architect.
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Furthermore, every Art Deco structure including Central Market has a concrete flag pole on top of the building. One of the techniques used in construction of the building is the grooved horizontal line of white layered concrete projecting across the width of the structure. The columns or bands of different materials are used to give an impression of division or line. Figures shown below are the features of Art Deco at Central Market.
Roof
There are 3 types of roof in Central Market, which are skylight glazed roof, flat roof and barrel vault roof. The first roof with pitched roof design was made in 1890 and the roof was covered with zinc sheet. During further construction development in 1907, roof material had changed to asbestos sheet and in 1923 roof of Central Market had experienced re-roofing process. Central Market has been demolished in 1936 and a new concrete flat roof had been constructed. In Central Market, skylight glazed roof at the middle make the building kept clear and open. 401meter length of the glazed skylight roof was glazed with Calorex of a lighter tint to allow penetration of light as well as for the purpose of ventilation. Hence, skylight glazed roof can act as good energy saver. In 1986, the barrel vault roof is introduced with the structure being made out of calorex -tinted glass, steel trusses and metal sheet to enhance natural lighting.
Doors & Windows
Before 1936, windows and doors of Central Market were made from timber and during restoration in 1936, timber doors and windows were replaced with Calorex-tinted glass. There are 508 square meters blue-green coloured Calorex glass of doors and windows. Blue-green coloured Calorex rolled glass of doors and windows allow 60% of natural light and 20% of the heat penetrate into the building. Fixed windows are used because the Central Market was fully air-conditioned. Glass doors are used for entrances in Central Market. Metal grilles are used as decoration at the upper part of the door.
Wall
In 1888, wall of Central Market was fully made from timber and during expansion process in1936 peripheral wall were constructed with 4 inches brickwork. Calorex tinted glass used to seal louvre window under the parapet wall. In order to provide damp proof course, the walls of Central Market were injected with chemical as it can prevent any rising damp to destroy the building structure.
Floor
Staircase
THINGS TO DO IN CENTRAL MARKET
According to Susie Q (2015), there are 5 major activities that can be done in Central Market Kuala Lumpur.
First of all, one can have a stroll along Kasturi Walk. The Kasturi Walk is an enclosed walkway just next to the Central Market. The big wau (traditional kite from Kelantan) and is supported by the beams, is definitely eye-catching and hard to be ignored. This walkway has a variety of stalls selling knickknacks, souvenirs, and all sort of kuih (Malay cakes). Fresh coconut juice can also be found along the walkway to soothe the visitors’ thirst.
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Secondly, shopping is another must-do on the list. The first thing one will notice once stepping into the blue building is the cool air conditioning. This just screams happiness to the visitors as most will end up all sweaty and hot under the hot Malaysian sun. Central Market is also one of the best places for the visitors to get their souvenir shopping done at a reasonable price while staying cosy at the same time. As for those searching for items with a hint of cultural or earthy, there is no other place more suitable to be than Central Market. Visitors can easily find pewter from Royal Selangor, batik (method of applying wax on fabrics and then dyeing it), and peranakan accessories like beaded shoes, bags and brooches here too. In case the visitors need to purchase local sim card or need any sort of help with their phone, fret not. Telecommunication services can also be found in Central Market.
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Next on list, the visitors could also pay a visit to Art Annexe. Located behind the building are the Central Market Annexe Gallery and a few art galleries are featured there. Visitors can feel free to not only admire art pieces by local artists but watching them working at the same time too. Admission to Annexe Gallery is free and a number of talks, art exhibitions, book launchings, movie screenings and fashion shows are hosted there all year through.
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Visitors can also experience cultural event in Central Market. Cultural dances at the outdoor stage can be seen every weekend if the visitors plan their time to visit right. They can enjoy the dancing performances and take the chance to know more about Malaysian culture.
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Last but not least, visitors can get relaxed too. Kuala Lumpur as the capital of Malaysia is well-known for its hot weather so after a long day walking around the city, it will be tiring for the feet. Therefore, visitors can opt for a foot reflexology at Manjakaki Foot Reflexology & Spa to ease their feet’s soreness. For those who prefer extra relaxing, massages are also one of the services they offer.
