Monday, May 20, 2019

MAQUETTE BETTERPAD-RAY - Building Complex without Air Conditioner, Characteristic of Traditional Architecture



The Betterpad-Ray (Benteng Terpadu Raya / Great Integrated Fortress) model is designed to suit Indonesia's tropical climate. How many buildings in Indonesia are Western-style and no longer fit the archipelago's architecture. They make houses or Western-style buildings just for prestige, show off, and want to impress "West". Though Western-style homes are not in accordance with Indonesia's climate. Although it can be inhabited, but engineering so that the building feels cool generally requires more costs such as the use of air conditioning. Indonesians are not aware that the Indonesian people already have their own technology in order to be able to face the hot tropical climate.

Climate is a condition that is relatively unchanged in a large area. Indonesia is an archipelago that has a tropical, hot and humid climate. Indonesia's tropical climate is caused by being located around the equator (between 23.5 degrees north latitude and 23.5 degrees south latitude), precisely from 6 degrees north latitude to 11 degrees south latitude. Therefore, throughout the year in Indonesia it always receives sunlight so the temperature is always hot. The characteristic of Indonesian traditional architecture that is related to hot climates is for example a  roof that slope that is not too sloping so that it can accommodate large amounts of air under the roof so as to give the room coolness. In addition there are parts that are open, the wall does not close tightly to the ceiling so as to facilitate air circulation. The original Indonesian architecture does not recognize excessive glass walls or fields, especially if there is no protection against direct sunlight and against rain such as windows in Western buildings, because this is not in accordance with the tropical climate.

The roofs of the Betterpad-Ray model buildings also have less sloping slopes. Although there are large windows in the Betterpad-Ray Main Building and depicted as having no protection from sunlight and rain, the original form can be slightly minimized and the composition of the wooden parts in the glass window increases. In addition, air vents in the Main Building will be large enough so that air can enter and be given a barrier wire so that it is not easily entered by animals or garbage. Above the ventilation there is also a protector that can overcome the presence of dirt from above and as a protection against the window from sunlight and rain. The Shahada Mosque (Masjid Syahadat) has a high tajug (square pyramid) roof design so that the room in the mosque feels cool when it is filled with people who pray in congregation.

Betterpad-Ray Main Building

Shahada Mosque

In modern times, including Indonesia, air conditioner (AC) has often been used mainly for public facilities and public places that have used new technology. If the rooms in a building are planned properly, then actually do not need an Air Conditioner. The electrical energy needed to operate the air conditioner is quite large. Sometimes there are additional costs for AC damage. The use of air conditioning should be limited to saving energy and reducing environmental damage, no matter how small the risk of using the AC produced. Traditional Indonesian homes, for example the traditional Javanese house that I usually see is a house with "free air entering". The Pendapa Peradaban (Civilization Pavilion) in the Betterpad-Ray model is one example of a completely open building without walls that is usually used by people to gather. Pendapa which can be referred to as a pavilion is a typical Javanese building for certain occasions. Building designs on the Betterpad-Ray model are also endeavored not to use air conditioners, except for special places that need cold and clean air. If you really need cooler air when it's hot, you can use an electronic fan.

Pendapa Peradaban (Civilization Pavilion)

I once felt that I was in the room of an institution building, there are air conditioners and that the air vents were closed to keep the air conditioner cool. But when the air conditioner is off/damage, while the air is hot, everyone inside feels hot and has to open the door and all the windows. Actually the use of air conditioner is indeed not needed as long as air ventilation is properly regulated. Maybe the installation of air conditioning should be in certain laboratories such as computer labs, the air must be clean.

The existence of shady trees around buildings or settlements can make the air and atmosphere cool. Basically, Indonesian people who have been in the tropical islands since their ancestral times and were born and raised in the tropics, should be able to adapt to hot conditions both physiologically and culturally. So the Indonesian people do not have to bother with hot air even though there is no air conditioner. The Betterpad-Ray model has a tree design especially next to the building complex. In addition, trees or plants can be located around the Betterpad-Ray complex buildings either directly embedded in the ground or with pots.

This is the explanation of the article about the Betterpad-Ray (Benteng Terpadu Raya / Great Integrated Fortress) model design. God willing, it can be realized. Aamiin.

Reference:
·         Prof. Ir. Eko Budihardjo, M.Sc. Jati Diri Arsitektur Indonesia. 1997. Bandung: Penerbit Alumni.  *Including from: (Otto Sumarwoto: “Ekologi, lingkungan Hidup, dan Pembangunan”, hal. 318) and by Prof.Ir.Sidharta, as stated in the reference book.  (https://archive.org/stream/BukuArsitektur/1140_Jati%20Diri%20Arsitektur%20Indonesia#page/n1/mode/2up)



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