The few strategies used in critical regionalism are: Critical Regionalism strives to be the median point between the progressive modern architectural movement and early historical ideas such as utopianism and post- industrialism. Secondly, a building is claimed not to be an individual free- standing object on the site but should take the physical boundary into consideration. Thirdly, Critical Regionalism views a structure as a complete tectonic concept rather than a series of sections. Fourthly, Critical Regionalism expresses itself by using very local items such as the frame of the building, local light intensity, local weather, land shape and terrain. Critical Regionalism does not believe in closing off all spaces and using air con, instead doors or windows are designed to be practical and suitable according to the local climate, light and other conditions. It then followed by taking into consideration the effects of the local environment that can be experienced through light levels, temperature, air movement, smell, sounds and material textures; Critical Regionalism embraces both local and foreign concepts within itself to cultivate a contemporary culture. It creates a world culture that can be locally represented. Lastly, Critical Regionalism can be easily expressed in examples where universal civilization is not fully influential or imposed. For instance, the Bagsvaerd Church, near Copenhagen by JØrn Utzon.
Figure 2 & 3- The interior of Bagsvaerd Church, Denmark
The Bagsvaerd Church, completed in 1976 outside of Copenhagen. From the outside, Bagsvaerd Church looks more likely to be a factory building or some sort of public facility. But the building is surprisingly opens into visionary and welcoming spaces when people steps inside. It shows combinations of local culture and universal civilization, wherein pre- cast concrete infill elements of standardized dimensions are combined in a particularly mostly a coherent way, with insitu reinforced concrete shell vaults which extent the major public volumes.
4.1 Strategies of Balancing out the Negatives
Malaysia is heading towards globalization, but in the meanwhile it still remains some other historical buildings in order to preserve the culture of this beautiful country. Take the railway station in Ipoh, Perak as an example, it is considered as a historical building in Malaysia due to the structure built in 1917, historical importance and architectural significance. It was built with the combination of the British colonial and Moghul architectura style of India influences mainly on its facades and roofs, therefore the railway station is also known locally as the "Taj Mahal" of Malaysia.
Figure 4- The railway station in Ipoh, Perak
On the other hand, Malaysian government is actually planning for a 100- storey skyscraper which will be named as either “Warisan Merdeka” or “Heritage of Independence” to dwarf the KLCC towers. Though there are quite a number of laymen objecting on this idea, but this is one obvious plan from Malaysian government to head this country towards globalization.
Many high rise buildings are erected from the plain ground in this country, but do they really stand for an identity of itself or even the country, or somehow or rather just being built for the sake of constructing a building with an attractive outlook to draw people’s attention? There is one good building example which is the Petronas Twin Towers that is set in the heart of the commercial district of the city. It is designed based on a traditional form in the Islamic culture, a 12 vertex star. The existence of this building was once a defended project which attracted criticism, but now turned out to be a lovely national icon. It has met a few features of critical regionalism which are the most obvious one, being in the median point between architectural movement- implemented cultural elements as well as the modern design. Followed by that, it has an extensive use of glass facade that was designed to bear a resemblance to Islamic art motifs and reinforce concrete is the main material of the twin buildings. However, it is not only a free- standing building in the middle of nowhere but in the heart of the commercial district of the city that becomes the urban city’s landmark. At the same time, throughout the complex an integrated energy- system is being used, which is using heat from drain air to power the cooling of outside air as it enters the building. The system reduces 50 per cent of the amount of energy required to air condition the building. The twin towers have introduced new architectural standards to Malaysia in terms of design, construction and technology by combining modern technology with a sense of cultural identity. This is a successful project as it represents a new direction in skyscraper design, attributing advanced technology while symbolizing local and national objectives.
Figure 5- Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur
Points in critical regionalism are essential in designing and deciding where to build a building. They lead the design of the building to be more unique by applying its own country’s cultural identity so that users do have the feeling of belonging. Besides that, the location of the building is constructed on a chosen site by respecting the natural resources. Designs are not easily “borrowed” by the other architects if one own cultural identity or material implication is being used, therefore the skyscrapers would not look more or less the same no matter in which country. Globalization still exists but somehow it does not lose the icon of the country by having the similar design on architecture throughout the whole wide world.
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