Architecture can show the identity of a group or nation. What
remains a problem for Indonesian architecture activists is about how to create
architectural works that showcase Indonesian characteristics and where
inspiration sources can be found. Public opinion said that the answer is in
Indonesian architecture itself. What is considered to hinder the intention is
the scientific institutions that are deemed inadequate, especially the
understanding of architecture cannot be agreed upon by various parties.
Front view of
the Betterpad-Ray Maquette / Mural Fortress
[There
are always efforts to create architectural works that are able to show the
identity of the Indonesian people. Therefore, Indonesian architecture is indeed
diverse and has a beauty that cannot be found anywhere else. There have been
various buildings built in modern times to display Indonesian architectural
works, for example TMII (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah/Beautiful Indonesia Mini
Park) which features a variety of traditional house platforms from various
regions in Indonesia. This is important to do so that the modern generation
knows and loves traditional architecture itself.
The
Betterpad-Ray (Benteng Terpadu Raya/Great Integrated Fortress) model or Mural
Fortress is an example of a complex design of a building created to showcase
traditional Indonesian architecture. This maquette design looks inspired by
famous buildings in Indonesia, such as fort palaces and large mosques. Murals
are works of art that are generally located on building walls or wall fences.
Because the historic fort was not possible to be used as a mural media, a large
wall design of the "Benteng Mural" was made for a mural, one of which
was the architectural theme of the Indonesia archipelago. The mural is a work that
easily attracts attention, so the design goal of Mural Fortress is so that
people want to know and learn about the architecture of each region.]
Indonesia is a country that has a variety of architectural cultures
because of the diversity of ethnic groups spread throughout its territory. Each
region, a particular tribe, has its own architectural style. Of course at
first, the architectural style of an area cannot be found in other regions or
is still rare, because other regions also have their own architectural styles.
This happens because the environmental conditions and views in each tribe vary.
So, the architectural style that is typical of an area can be the identity of
the area.
Over time, because humans need other humans, as well as between
regions, each of which has advantages and disadvantages of each in terms of
resources, there is interaction between regions. Usually, this interaction
occurs in trading. Not only between regions, the strategic position of the
Indonesian Archipelago makes various nations hold trade meetings in the
archipelago. The people of this other nation were in the archipelago for quite
a long time, some even settled and married to inhabitants of the indigenous.
Other nations also bring culture into the lives of people in the archipelago.
From the mingling of the foreign population with the indigenous
population, there are various architectural styles from other nations standing
in Indonesia. Not only that, there was an acculturation between the
architectural cultures of other nations and the culture of the archipelago so
that a unique mixed architectural style was born, in fact there were more than
two cultural elements. This is easily seen and found clearly as part of a
variety of archipelago architecture. Architecture is indeed not seen as
something that must be seen scientifically for many people. What is clear,
people know about the origin of the architectural style in general.
[It
is clear that the influence of other nations' architectural styles on the
design of the Betterpad-Ray Maquette or the Fortress of Mural, for example
Arabic, Chinese and European. It is undeniable that the architectural styles of
other nations affect Indonesian architecture. So, elements of other nations are
indeed featured in the Betterpad-Ray design. This is done so that the
composition of the building design looks "cosmopolitan".]
The idea of a joint decision is indeed very good, because all
parties will feel satisfied and sincerely implement it. However, Architecture
is a science, not just a capability. No different from other sciences,
architecture can and must be discussed and studied without having to wait for
the definition that has been agreed by all parties. The attitude of the
Indonesian people towards architecture that must exist is that Indonesian traditional
architecture can only be understood if it has been studied directly, and in
this case carried out typologically. Thus, traditional Indonesian architecture
will be seen only as architectural objects, which are formed from basic form
elements which contain certain basic properties and develop historically into
forms that can be seen today.
Indeed, in historical records, the Indonesian nation was once made
up of various kingdoms in each region which were not united with each other.
What is known as the unification of the archipelago is the golden age of the
Majapahit Kingdom. Some architectural styles in Indonesia are influenced by the
history of their ancestors according to their local wisdom. For example, the
shape of the roof of the Tongkonan House in Toraja (South Sulawesi) shaped like
a boat is based on the story of their ancestors who arrived in Sulawesi by
boat. Indeed, Indonesia's architectural style is influenced by its historical
events. For example, the style of Hindu-Buddhist temples that are commonly
found in Mainland Asia have existed in the Nusantara region, such as the
Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple. Then, the entry of Islam and Arabic
culture led to the emergence of many mosques in the archipelago, with a roof
that is generally in the form of a rectangular pyramid with a dome at the top.
The arches and decoration of Arabic calligraphy can also be found in Indonesian
mosque designs. Then, Western architectural styles during the Dutch East Indies
colonial era also appeared in the archipelago with the existence of western
style buildings. All the architectural styles of other nations also affect
several palaces and places of worship in Indonesia. This is acculturation whose
form can still be seen today which is part of the archipelago architecture.
TMII (Taman
Mini Indonesia Indah) viewed from above
Source: Google
Maps
Banten Grand
Mosque, a blend of Nusantara, Arabic, Chinese and European cultures
Source: Google
Maps Street View / Mpooh 82
[History
is the right thing to always study because the process of human culture and
civilization can be traced to history. At first Indonesia was not a unitary
state, but an archipelago consisting of various community / kingdom units in
each region. The diversity of architecture in Indonesia is certainly an asset
that must be maintained. It is supposed to respect each culture and local
wisdom of each region by always learning and preserving it. In modern times,
everything can be accessed easily, especially written works online. God
willing, the Betterpad-Ray design is a complex design of buildings that can be
used as a facility to study the richness of Indonesian architecture, both
directly and create special web pages.]
In sentences that are easy to understand, the Indonesian people
must know that every unique traditional house in every place is the work of the
predecessors that continues to grow with knowledge. Knowledge of traditional
architecture is the result of thoughts and experiences that continue to be
studied in order to obtain good and useful work. Basically, science is used
because it aims to obtain good results and avoid failure or danger. It must be
understood that science is not only about something that is deliberately
arranged so that it looks cool, but it is something that can benefit humans and
the environment. If there is no science in architecture, of course buildings
will look bad, no one wants to occupy, or even easily damaged and dangerous.
So, all of them can be restored by seeing that architecture, in a
general and simple sense, is a basic human need that requires a safe and
comfortable shelter. If there are certain forms that produce certain traits,
morally can be understood because humans have reason and feelings. This feeling
makes the relationship between humans or with the environment harmonious, not
rigid like a computer. And architecture is a human work which is certainly made
with feelings. Maybe these sentences are less related to the content of
articles related to architecture as discussed by scholars. What is clear, architecture
is a thing that is widely understood by all people and part of human
civilization and culture. And then in the view of a layman, there must be some
people who are specialized in studying architecture, especially those that
continue in the context of this article.
Looks
Betterpad-Ray Maquette / Mural Fortress from above
As a first step, the following quotations will be submitted for
comparison. Yuswadi Salya gives the following views:
".
. . architecture cannot be formulated in words without including something
called mystery. . . Architecture seeks (is an effort) to simulate or realize
what is called mystery (mysterium fasciman) through its elements (aggregates).
. . architecture can also be said as a heavenly model (divine model); there are
times when architecture itself is a myth. . . If architecture is a bridge that
connects humans with the world of experience and ideas (ideation is not always
veneration), then architecture should be communicative. . . The architect's
intervention will be limited to the interpretation (not just translation) of
the inhabitant's ritual in accordance with the rules of the pattern (system) of
expression, so that form and meaning are integrated. This is related to the
architectural paradigm it adopts."
Another opinion was expressed by Robi Sularto and Darmawan
Prawirohardjo:
".
. . there is clearly a tendency for people to get back their own property that
they are not certain about."
and continued with the following statement:
"Looking
at traditional architecture from its external form, it will naturally present a
picture in our complicated, complicated, slow-moving and stubbornly
misunderstood images, even though these things are often loved by
misunderstanding, and being ridiculed without understanding."
It was said by Robi Sularto that:
"Various
traditional architecture which has been institutionalized steadily and intact,
generally contain very deep and extensive knowledge and understanding of the
spatial and temporal order of human life in the world and the hereafter. Basically,
he questions how humans place themselves in self-environment, in the family
environment, community environment, state environment, world environment, and
the hereafter."
Whereas architecture is defined as:
".
. . the embodiment / statement of the shape and spatial / time structure of a
living environment that entrenched (whereas) the architecture of our future we
cannot make (create); architecture was born and not just made."
Finally
the question:
"To
what extent has our architectural education world been able to see the problem
of Indonesian architecture unless it hurriedly trains professional skills? And
how far apart are we, the architects have contributed to the formation of this
Indonesian architecture?"
There are also those who argue that it is difficult to examine
traditional architecture due to inadequate scientific institutions or even none
at all. Actually, this opinion arises due to an understanding of architecture
which is seen as skill knowledge, both technical and artistic. Architecture is
considered a skill of combining technical and non-technical problems. The word
"architecture" comes from the word "architecton" (head
mason). That is, understanding architecture is more emphasized on human skills,
not about the nature of its existence. Basically, there are already several
works that see architecture as a science. Various problems in the field of
architecture have been contained in scientific records so that only choose what
is in accordance with the intent and purpose to be applied in Indonesia.
[Knowledge about architecture indeed needs to be studied because
it is useful in basic human needs regarding shelter. Moreover, there is quite
fierce competition in making nice and beautiful buildings today. So, a nation
must be able to create creative and skilled human resources in the field of
architecture. However, the name of the heart must also be used, not just the
brain. Traditional architecture as an appreciation of local wisdom and culture
itself is something that must be shown to the world. The Betterpad-Ray Maquette
Design is a design that is expected to be able to give a new color to the world
of architecture. With this design of Mural Fortress, then of course there is an
intention to spur the existence of other architectural works that show the
nation's identity in the midst of the many architectural styles today. This can
be a place for architecture activists to create useful traditional works.
Masjid Syahadat (Shahada Mosque) is a Muslim place of worship
design (the majority religion in Indonesia) which is indeed commonly found in
public buildings in Indonesia. Places of worship are important things in a
building complex. Pendapa Peradaban (Pavilion of Civilization) is the design of
a large hall in the form of a pavilion that can be used for discussion or
learning about architecture. Whereas the Betterpad-Ray Main Building is a
design for activities that require a closed and safe space. These three main
buildings are the main designs in this model that need to be the center of
attention.]
Design of the
Shahada Mosque (Masjid Syahadat)
Pendapa
Peradaban (Pavilion of Civilization) Design
Betterpad-Ray
Main Building Design
However, although many artisans, including those who design, certainly
did not take architectural education, they succeeded in making a strong and
well-built house, both traditional and modern houses in this era. Of course
because of the habits and experience that become capital in order to have the
skills to build a house. But, to develop or rather introduce and preserve the
architectural style of the archipelago, there must be someone who continues to
conduct research. Humans can record what they see in written works that are
arranged neatly and structured, so that it can be made into a work that is
useful as scientific knowledge because it has gone through various arrangements
carefully and thoroughly. Existing works can also be used as a reference for
today's architecture activists. And by developing it the right way with new
work, it is hoped that it can continue to benefit future generations in
studying, preserving, and developing traditional architecture according to the
times.
[Thus the article mixed with science and discussion about the
design of the Betterpad-Ray Maquette. There is no perfect paper, because only
God is the most perfect. We apologize if there are mistakes and please
criticize and advise. Thank you.]
Reference:
§
Prof. Ir. Eko
Budihardjo, M.Sc. Jati Diri Arsitektur
Indonesia. 1997. Bandung: Penerbit Alumni (Publisher).
* Includes: Ir. Budi A. Sukada, Grand.Hond, Dipl. (AA), as stated in the
reference book.
(https://archive.org/stream/BooksArsitektur/1140_Jati%20Diri%20Arsitektur%20Indonesia#page/n1/mode/2up)
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