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No 8 Heeren Street Model Restoration Project Officially Opened
Monday 21 March 2005

The No 8 Heeren Street Model Restoration Project was officially opened recently by the Chief Minister of Malacca, YAB Datuk Seri Hj Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam. In attendance were the President of Badan Warisan Malaysia YBhg Tan Sri Dato' Seri (Dr) Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid and the US Ambassador to Malaysia, HE Christopher J LaFleur and other distinguished guests.

In conjunction with the launch, an education workshop was held with a group of students and teachers from SMK(P) Methodist, Tranquerah. The aim of the workshop was to raise their awareness of the cultural, historical and architectural values of the early shophouse building type in Malacca.

HISTORY OF NO. 8 HEEREN STREET

8 Heeren Street is a fine example of a two-storey building constructed in the mid-late 1700s. It is typical of early shophouses and modest residential structures built in Malacca between the mid 1600s and late 1800s. In Malaysia, this building type is unique to Malacca, and represents a development of an earlier shophouse from the Portuguese era preceding it.

These shophouses are integral to the evolution of the city’s streetscapes and also demonstrate the comprehensive building and planning regulations during Dutch rule, which dictated the building lines, foundations, party walls, fenestrations and the sizes of bricks and tiles conformed to standards which were strictly controlled.

These buildings commonly served as shop, residence, stable and animal yard all at the same time and are important for the understanding of the city’s social environment, and a significant period of the city’s growth. They are the oldest extant urban dwellings in the country. Yet, a lack of recognition and protection for this building type has led to its rapid demise and the loss of an important part of Malacca’s built heritage.

MODEL CONSERVATION PROJECT

As part of Badan Warisan Malaysia’s (Heritage of Malaysia Trust) Model Conservation Project, No. 8 Heeren Street serves as a practical example of conservation of its building type, the early shophouse, and at the same time demonstrates a successful adaptation to new uses.

No. 8 Heeren Street also functions as a venue for exhibitions, workshops, seminars and corporate events, an interpretative and heritage resource facility for Malaccans and visitors. We intend to begin an advisory centre to disseminate information on Malacca’s heritage environment and proper conservation techniques for the building type in the near future.

We have also produced a walking tour of Malacca's living heritage focussing on endangered trades. This handy booklet is available on sale at our Centre for RM8 each.

Our daily opening hours are from 11am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday and admission is free.

Contact:

John Marcian Cavalho

8 Heeren Street Heritage and Interpretative Centre

No 8 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock

Malacca

Tel: 06 - 281 1507

Natural Passion - an exhibition of creations by Jurema W. Baker

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The Landmarks of New York

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News & Announcements

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NEW: Buletin Warisan September - November 2006
Notes from Council - In the past few months, some members and friends of heritage have commented that they would like to know more about the sorts of heritage issues which concern Badan Warisan Malaysia, and how the Council responds to them. This is especially so for those who do not often come to the Heritage Centre nor participate in activities which have been organized for members. To address this, a note on a selection of issues which are raised at Council will be presented in the Buletin Warisan for your greater understanding and appreciation of the efforts by Council towards promoting the conservation and preservation of Malaysia’s built heritage. In this edition, I am focusing on the most recent campaign for Bok House.

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Terengganu's Rich Heritage
In June 2005 a rather mixed gathering of people from the arts, the media, the adventure travel business, photographers and film makers were assembled at the salubrious Sutra Beach Resort north of Kuala Terengganu courtesy of DiGi Telecommunications for a celebration of some aspects of the state’s rich cultural heritage. The primary focus of the occasion was DiGi’s “Amazing Malaysians” contribution to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the individual concerned was none other than the renowned architect and conservationist, member of Badan Warisan YM Raja Dato’ Kamarul Bahrin Shah.

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