Yackchal, an ancient refrigerator back in thousand years ago.

Some yackchal is bigger than the other, such as this one in Meybod, Iran. Photo: fieldstudyoftheworld.com

Refrigerator use a high amount of electrical energy in order to produce ice. Since the invention of modern refrigerator early 1800's, we never thought that people living in the past were able to have a similar invention in order to keep their food fresh longer.

It's depend on the climate of the area, people learn to preserve their foods in different ways. In the tropic regions, for example, foods are preserved by drying it with salt, or keep it in an acidic solution (turn it into a pickle).

Anyway, long time ago in, middle eastern region such as Persia, they have unique building that called Yackchal, (Persian: یخچال‎ "ice pit"; yakh meaning "ice" and chāl meaning "pit") that works same as refrigerator today. The wonderful thing about this building is, it's using the power of climate and water to trap the cold temperature and store it during the hot summer day.

Yackchal near Kerman, Iran. Photo: wikipedia

 

The interior of yackchal. Photo: thevintagenews.com

Even though there are different building that called ice house that used in some countries (Europe or ancient China). Yakhchāl, was built in the areas where the temperature can get really high that require active heat transfer to take place. Compared to modern invention that using a compressor and fan, yakhchāl manipulate the natural energy to produce similar effects.

The construction of yakhchāl was started as soon as 400 BCE. During that time, Persian engineers already able to build this unique building that able to trap the cold temperature during the winter season and retain it until the summer season. It's  not only the shape of the yakhchāl is important, but also the materials used in its construction help it to isolate the heat from get into it.

The wall of yakhchāl is built with unique water-resistant mortar called sarooj, composed of sand, clay, egg whites, lime, goat hair, and ash, that is resistant to heat and at the same time water-impenetrable. While the thickness of the wall will reach up to two meters thick at the base.

Faloodeh, traditional Iranian dessert. Photo: thevintagenews.com

 

The most common feature of yakhchāls, is they have access to qanat  (Iranian aqueduct), while sometimes they equipped with a system of bâdgirs (ancient design of windcatchers or wind towers). This additional design help further cool down the temperature to frigid levels during the summer days. So, there are some varieties in its architecture.

The usage of yakhchāls, will allow the ice created in it during the winter to be used throughout the summer. This will help people to keep their foods in it, but also prepare special dessert such as faloodeh, the traditional Persian ice cream.

By mimicking this special architecture, there are many applications can be used in today's world, especially in building more energy efficiency building. Most of our modern inventions relying too much on the usage of electrical energy - that also require to be generated by other sources (such as coals, hydroelectric, solar, wind, thermal and etc.). Imagine if yakhchāl's principal is used instead. How wonderful the future can be?

Putra Mosque at Putrajaya

Putra Mosque next to Putra Perdana building.

There are two main buildings at Putrajaya that will be easily catches ones glimpse once they arrive there for the first time. Besides there are many others beautiful buildings these two will be the main attractions for its location. The first building is Putra Perdana and the second is Putra Mosque.

Here we are going to see more about Putra Mosque, one of the most visited buildings in Putrajaya. Even though built in contrast to Putra Perdana these two building seems to be a perfect match to be built side by side. Located in by the edge of Putrajaya Lake it can easily be seen by most part of Putrajaya.

Close up view of Putra Mosque.

The interior is simple yet elegant.

The interior of the dome.

The Putra Mosque has unique artistic architecture with pink rose tinted granite that’s totally different from most of the mosques built in Malaysia. Anyway some features make it blend in perfectly to bring in local’s architectures emerge in the first sight. This unique mosque designed resembles few other popular mosques such as King Hassan Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco.

The mosque can accommodate 15,000 worshippers at any one time. It also consists of three main functional areas the prayer hall, the Sahn, or courtyard, and various learning facilities and function rooms. The interior (prayer hall) is simple and elegant suitable for all worshiper to perform their prayer in comfort. This majestic designs supported by 12 columns with the highest point below the dome is 250 feet above the ground level.

Putra Mosque during the sunset.

One of the iconic building in Putrajaya.

The construction of the mosque completes on 1 September 1999 with cost of around RM250 millions. It is named after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al Haj. Putra Mosque becomes one of the mosque unique mosques in Malaysia by combining the Middle Eastern and traditional Malay design elements.

Putra Mosques become one of the most popular attractions in Putrajaya for locals and tourist. Non-Muslims also permitted to visit outside of prayer times without any admission charge. Robes are provided for visitors and they are requires to follow the rules when visiting the mosque.

Next to the mosque are Putra Square, food courts by the lakeside and the Putrajaya Lake Cruise that added visitors’ experiences when they visit this mosque. This will be the opener to any visitor to Putrajaya before they are ready to explore to any other part of this area. 

Historic building, Malayan Railway Station

The uniqueness of the architecture on Kuala Lumpur Railway Station.

Malayan Railway Station’s building is one of the historic buildings in Kuala Lumpur, which is still used to this day. Built in 1910 has unique architectural features as well as other buildings built during the same time such as Sultan Abdul Samad Building. For this station Arthur Benison Hubback maintaining the Mughal architecture application in his design.

It costs RM23,000 and began operations on 1 August 1910. The station later became the main station with the demolition of the Resident Station and also the isolation of the Sultan Street’s Station. The building also includes a hotel, Station Hotel (now known as Heritage Station Hotel). The station is still operating despite Kuala Lumpur's main station has been moved to KL Sentral.

Main part of the building built over 100 years old.

KTM Administration Building, which is also very unique.

Even though it has spanned over a hundred years, the station continues to be upgraded to enable it to continue to provide services to the users of railway transport. Commuter Train services were first introduced at this station in 1995 with two main lines of Rawang - Seremban Line and Sentul - Port Klang Line.

To this day, this historic building is yet to be visited by the public and tourists not only because of its functions but also because of its unique architecture. It is one of the popular pictorial locations around Kuala Lumpur on par with other locations in the surrounding attractions such as Masjid Negara, Islamic Arts Museum and other places in Taman Tasik Perdana area.

Commuter rail service is also available at the station.

An improved platform for current demand.

Kuala Lumpur Station, past and present.