Villa Sentosa.

While in Melaka, I stopped by Villa Sentosa, in Kampung Morten, Melaka. This area was settled in 1920, when the British relocated people here from another part of the city slated for redevelopment. The houses here are traditional Malay houses, and I was fortunate enough to be led around Villa Sentosa by a family member. These houses place primary importance on ventilation, and through various openings, shutters, doors, and vents, keep the occupants cool. The ambient temperature when I visited [late afternoon] was a full 10 degrees cooler inside than outside. The houses are also raised above the ground, which, in addition to having various climatic advantages [ventilation, flood protection], provides a very useful work/laundry drying/storage space that's shaded and protected.

So now I'm wondering: how many of these techniques can be seen in the Dutch and British buildings, and what are the reasons these houses were [and are] still being built? Is it a matter of location [urban, commercial district, village, rural, etc?] And, of course, how well do they perform climatically? [Everyone draws those magic ventilation arrows...how is air really moving through the space?]

House in Kampung Morten, Melaka.

Visiting room, Villa Sentosa, Melaka.

Exterior of visiting room, Villa Sentosa, Melaka.

Interior, Villa Sentosa, Melaka.

Living room, looking into central "courtyard" and dining area beyond, Villa Sentosa, Melaka.