Historic timber repair works (HTRW) framework for heritage building conservation in Malaysia / Afzanizam Muhammad

Heritage building conservation works in Malaysia often refer to the conservation process described in the standard guidelines introduced by the Malaysia National Heritage Department. The Guideline on Heritage Building Conservation is a handbook written in general steps to apply to various types of buildings and materials. This research aims to develop a specific historic timber repair works framework for heritage building conservation in Malaysia. The practitioners often face difficulty deciding on appropriate repair work on-site due to new damages found during conservation work, which is not expected but need to be done. The historic timber repair works are crucial because at the same time to preserve the local’s values embedded in the historic timber. New constructions and repair work are different for every building material. The historic timber repair works need to consider the timber properties and damage symptoms. Meanwhile, the standard historic timber repair framework is necessary to support the professionals involved in Malaysian building conservation. The research case studies were selected from completed and ongoing Malaysian heritage timber building conservation projects. The qualitative case study methodology approach is conducted to achieve the identified objectives of the research. Survey analysis involves project document content analysis, semi-structured interviews with related experts, and on-site observation. The outcome of the surveys is the preferences for Malaysia’s historic timber repair works. The key elements of the preferences are the Replacement Timber, the Historic Timber, the Historic Timber Repair Works Techniques, and the Historic Timber Repair Work Principles. The preferences are used to develop the Malaysian historic timber repair works framework. The framework is essential for the practitioners involved as additional specific guidance to the historic timber structure alongside the current national building conservation guidelines. This framework facilitates the work of practitioners in deciding appropriate repair methods and techniques to overcome the difficulties of unexpected building damages on site. The Malaysian historic timber repair works framework brings implications in future to reduce the repair trials on-site and potentially reduce the work timeframe. It also can be referred to in preparing a conservation contract document and maintenance plans for heritage buildings in Malaysia.