Identification of Concept, Factors Affecting and the Need for Adaptive Reuse of Government Teachers’ Quarters in Malaysia

Abstract

Government building quarters are essential for providing adequate accommodation and improving the quality of public service employees. Following independence, the government has allocated funds to each ministry to construct its own quarters. A portion of the Ministry of Education's budget has been allocated to the construction of residential quarters for teachers in Malaysia. However, some of these quarters, particularly those located in rural areas, are underutilised and are in a deplorable state. This is due to a number of issues, including poor building maintenance, the absence of adjacent amenities, and an inappropriate location. The adaptive reuse strategy is employed to mitigate the issue. As Malaysia aims to become a modern nation, adaptive reuse as a means of achieving sustainability in the built environment. Even adaptive reuse was utilised in Malaysia, the initiative focused mostly on heritage or historical buildings. Insufficient research has been conducted on the adaptive reuse of public buildings, notably teachers' quarters. This research offers a narrative literature review of the adaptive reuse concept and the factors influencing the adaptive reuse of teachers' quarters in Malaysia. Numerous parameters affecting adaptive reuse have been revealed by previous researchers. Each researcher specifies factors depending on their research; hence, these factors are compiled and discussed throughout this work. Such aspects include actors, adaptive reuse potential, building condition, economics, location, regulations and laws, architectural value, environment, and social and cultural factors. These variables may be relevant to consider when encouraging adaptive reuse for government quarters (teachers' quarters), as they may affect the building's future or new role. In order to make appropriate decisions, one needs to have a comprehensive awareness of the relevant aspects. The second half of the study discusses the condition of teachers’ quarters and how the adaptive reuse concept could be of assistance. The study concluded with a number of research recommendations and suggestions for future research topics.