MAQUETTE BETTERPAD-RAY - Building Shape and Structure as a Reflection of Technology Level

Traditional house architecture both in structure and material shows the environmental conditions and sources of building materials that exist. People in tropical climates generally use bamboo or wood in building houses. On the other hand wood and bamboo limit variations in the shape / structure of buildings, especially if done with simple technology. The shape and structure of the building is also influenced by climate. Residents in tropical rain areas should make homes with steep roofs to facilitate the fall of water. Residents who live in the forest where there are many wild animals must build houses on high pillars called the house on stilts (some areas in Sumatra). Whereas residents living in swamps, for example tribes in parts of Papua must make houses on poles that are high enough to avoid the ebb and flow of brackish water. Whereas in some mountainous areas in West Java, which have cold temperatures, residents make stilt houses that simply collect warm air as a separator between the floor and the ground.

The limitations of these variations certainly do not apply to modern society whose technology has advanced. With ease, modern society can make buildings that can provide comfort without the direct influence of the climate and the materials available around it. An example of this is the tendency of modern society to make buildings with ceilings that are adapted to the technology of air conditioner. Communities now tame the climate outside and utilize technological capabilities.

The Betterpad-Ray (Benteng Terpadu Raya / Great Integrated Fortress "Mural Wall") maquette/model/mockup is a building design that uses traditional and modern architectural technology. The purpose of using traditional technology is to preserve the culture of the Indonesian archipelago and introduce traditional technology to the modern generation so that they know that traditional technology has a greatness in accordance with Indonesia's geographical conditions. Often modern people assume that traditional technology is something that is backward, difficult, not practical, and so on and modern technology is capable of lightening human work, fast, and in time. But keep in mind that the predecessors of modern Indonesians are people who know noble values, always think and are sensitive to natural conditions, and always be polite. This is different from the current generation which actually relies too much on modern technology without being sensitive to the surrounding conditions. Because of this, a Betterpad-Ray Mockup design was made that at least so that the current generation knows that traditional architectural technology is indeed useful for humans. Whereas the use of modern technology in the Betterpad-Ray Mockup if it can be realized later, God willing, is to remain in accordance with the conditions of the present era which are all fast and practical, and even then that is beneficial to humans and has been used in everyday life, for example the most easy is the use of electrical energy.

The Civilization Pavilion (Pendapa Peradaban) is an example of a traditional building most clearly seen in the Betterpad-Ray Mockup. Basically the Pendapa Peradaban design is a pendapa that can be found in Java, but the design is endeavored to have some building elements in various regions in Indonesia. The Civilization Pavilion is unique in that there is a balcony that is not commonly found in other pendapas. Balcony guardrails can be designed to be similar to architecture outside Java, for example in Sumatra, Kalimantan/Borneo, Sulawesi, or Maluku. Actually there will be an element of the roof of the Honai (Papua) house on some of the roofs of the Civilization Pavilion, which clearly all need an opinion from experts or cultural experts throughout Indonesia, including from Bali and Nusa Tenggara. But at least it can be given carvings of traditional houses and their original areas at the pendapa pole for knowledge for visitors. Pendapa poles are one form of traditional technology, especially the main pole (soko guru) that supports the top or most central roof. The position of the central roof which is high and steep makes the pendapa building taller. This is useful for places where air is gathered so that it cools the air inside. The absence of dividing walls in Pendapa is also useful to facilitate air circulation. As a public space for meetings and the absence of privacy, the existence of a wall is indeed not needed for pendapa. Modern technology that can be used in pendapa that can support activities in it include lights and projectors. The projector is useful for displaying a presentation screen if pendapa is used for meetings or similar seminars, and it is better if pendapa (especially government) use a projector. For security, surveillance cameras also need to be installed. Because the air circulation is smooth, pendapas including Pendapa Peradaban don't need Air Conditioners anymore.

If you look at buildings in various parts of the world and if you already know the characteristics of each, at least from the outside and even only through books or television or the internet, then you can make a comparison of the building elements, such as materials, shapes, sizes, and so. Sometimes there is a view that buildings with wood or bamboo are ancient buildings and cement-based buildings are modern buildings. But according to the explanation, actually the ingredients are indeed used because they are only in accordance with the climate and availability. Generally buildings in the eastern hemisphere use basic materials from wood, including major Chinese civilizations. Materials such as wood are found in the eastern hemisphere or east and southeast Asia. Whereas buildings in the Middle East, India and the western hemisphere (Egypt, Europe, also the Americas) use cement or sand or stone, which is hard and not from plants. This is because the material available is indeed such objects and is different from Indonesia which has been recognized by the world with its diversity of natural resources, and generally they are in significant summer and winter areas. Tribes in Africa, Aboriginal Australians, Indians and Oceania who live in the forest or the wild only use what is around them and their houses are simple because they are friendly with nature and nature have fulfilled their needs without any effort. God Almighty has created various tribes and nations in this world with their characteristics and what is needed by them. Most importantly, they should know each other and respect each other, because ethnicity and race are God's provisions to test humans to get to know each other. Try to imagine if there was only one race or nation in this world, humans as intelligent and possessing beings would certainly feel bored. And there will not be a diversity of architecture that makes humans "absorbed" or "like" to learn about its diversity.

Shahada Mosque (Masjid Syahadat)

Civilization Pavilion (Pendapa Peradaban)

Betterpad-Ray Main Building

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. Sorry if there is an error especially in this article.

Reference:

·         Prof. Ir. Eko Budihardjo, M.Sc. Jati Diri Arsitektur Indonesia. 1997. Bandung: Penerbit Alumni.  * Included by: Prof. Dr. S. Budhisantoso, as stated in the reference book.  (https://archive.org/stream/BukuArsitektur/1140_Jati%20Diri%20Arsitektur%20Indonesia#page/n1/mode/2up)