Adaptive Reuse of Several Historical Buildings in Kuala Lumpur as Museums

Abstract

Malaysia is a country rich with historical buildings, most of which are part of the national heritage. However, many of such buildings that are located across the country have been ignored in recent years. Realizing the importance and potential of such buildings towards the country's growth, these buildings have been renovated and adapted to be reused again for a wide range of functions, particularly in the vicinity of Kuala Lumpur. Generally, most of these restored historic buildings have been converted into museums, business premises, offices, restaurants, residential houses or even for public use. This paper aims to identify and focus on a few of the historical buildings in Kuala Lumpur which have been adapted to be converted into museums. Apart from being a source of reference and learning, the uniqueness of the Museum architecture serves as a symbol of the historical identity of Kuala Lumpur that could draw the attention of tourists. Furthermore, this paper aims to elevate the importance of historical buildings in developing the country’s potential in tourism through the promotion of heritage tourism