Monday, July 1, 2019

MAQUETTE BETTERPAD-RAY - Traditional Buildings as Reflections on Cultural Values



Traditional buildings as a reflection of cultural values are still very clearly visible from the embodiment of the shape, structure, layout, and decoration. The physical form of a traditional house, although it does not neglect the sense of beauty, but is still bound by the cultural values that apply in society. Regarding its location sometimes in accordance with the values of local cultural teachings. For example, houses in Java, especially Wonogiri Regency, there are suggestions to build houses facing south, even though they are not really considered, especially nowadays. Actually there should not be mythological values or ancestral beliefs in terms of the position of the building, whether to pick up sustenance, reject reinforcements, luck, and so on. Of course there are values that can be thought rationally and related to nature and the comfort obtained. For example about a house facing south, it turns out that it is in accordance with the geographical location of the island of Java. The reason the house facing south is to receive natural light well. Java Island is located next to the equator with a position between 60 south latitude to 80 south latitude, so that the sun looks longer in the north of Java in a year, around 7-8 months from mid-February to mid-October. Usually at that time is the end of the rainy season, the dry season, until the beginning of the rainy season again. So at that duration usually sunny weather often occurs so that the sun is often seen. Because the position of the house faces south, the front part is not directly illuminated by the sun so that the house, especially the terrace is more shady. While in mid-October to mid-February, the sun's position is seen in the south of Java. At that time the rainy season usually occurs which often occurs cloudy weather and even rain so that the sun is often not visible and the front of the house still feels calm, besides because the sun's position duration is seen in the south of Java is less.

In addition, there is a prohibition on making a house at the end of a T-junction, precisely above the middle of the letter T, because it can be hit by calamity. Actually it is better to think rationally and it is true. The house that is in that position then directly faces a straight road directly towards the house. For example if there is a vehicle that moves fast and cannot be controlled which directly leads to the house in that position, it will potentially hit the house so that an accident occurs. But there are indeed houses that are in that position where the residents feel there is no problem in this matter. In essence, in terms of cultural values, of course, rational positive values can be taken.

Traditional houses are very clear in distinguishing the front with the back, such as between a living room with a kitchen. Then there is also the arrangement in the village / community environment, there are special places that need to be taken into account. For example, the Macapat arrangement of the city on the island of Java, which although not really considered, especially in the present. In essence, macapat in this case is a square / field surrounded by four important buildings, namely a place of worship (mosque), a government office, a court or a place of legal problems, and markets. The square is a community gathering place for certain activities. The mosque is located in the west because the Qibla direction on Java is to the west. Then the government offices are in the south, where there are legal problems place in the east, and markets in the north.

In traditional buildings there are indeed values that are reflected in the shape of the house. There are people who give a certain meaning to the shape of their homes according to the values that apply, it could be about nature or something related to their community. For example about the beauty of architecture that is often seen on television or internet media, namely the traditional Toba Batak house (Bolon house in North Sumatra) and Toraja (Tongkonan house in South Sulawesi) which has a boat-like roof shape, even including a traditional Minang house (Gadang house in West Sumatra). There is an opinion that the shape of this boat is a symbol of a vehicle that has a positive impact on them. For example, according to the Toraja people, a boat is a vehicle of their ancestors who managed to sail to the mainland of Sulawesi. Then, the higher the shape of the roof, the higher the dignity or social status of the occupants. Another example is the shape of a Joglo roof in Javanese houses that has a unique shape. The shape of the Joglo roof which is almost upright is a symbol of a large and sturdy mountain. Java Island does have many mountains, both ordinary mountains and volcanoes which are very influential in the lives of Javanese people, especially in terms of natural resources. Mountain is one of the creations of God Almighty which is often used as a symbol of grandeur and is actually proof that it is the Supreme Lord who is able to create this vast and extraordinary universe.

Each building has a distinctive structure. In Javanese traditional houses, for example the pavilion has pillars that support the roof of the building. These pillars are usually made of teak wood which can be found easily on the island of Java. Likewise with every building in the regions of Indonesia, or in every civilization in all parts of the world has pillars as a support for buildings. Actually in general, the pillar has value about something that is able to establish and enforce. So every activity or process or organization certainly has a "pillar" that supports it so that it can stand strong and not easily collapse.

Regarding the division of space, it is clearly visible in accordance with prevailing cultural values. The main house is considered only suitable to be entered by residents and close relatives. Therefore there are parts that are open to guests and there are also parts of the living room for other people to become one with the residence. An example of this is the pendapa / pavilion in front of the main Javanese main house as a guest house. The pavilion is a building that is important for the dissemination of local residents.

The shapes and patterns of traditional home decorations are also related to the influence of cultural values, main ideas, and beliefs that dominate the population. Buffalo head, as a working animal in agriculture has a high value. The head of the buffalo or its horn becomes a meaningful home decorating object. For example in Toraja, a tribe whose culture is well-known in the mass media, put buffalo horns in their homes that can show their level of social status. The higher the composition of the buffalo horn, the higher the social status. In addition, there are also other symbols that illustrate cultural values, vital ideas, and beliefs of the people who decorate traditional houses or buildings in the form of carvings and drawings.

The Betterpad-Ray (Benteng Terpadu Raya / Great Integrated Fortress "Mural Wall") is a complex design of buildings that can reflect the cultural values of the archipelago. God willing, if realized, then the cultural elements can be displayed in detail. The maquette/mockup/model is a manifestation of the purpose of introducing cultural values that are important to be known to future generations, even though they have not been maximized if they have not been realized. But there are still modern and Western elements to fit the times in this era of globalization while still highlighting the elements of traditional culture.
 Shahada Mosque (Masjid Syahadat)

Civilization Pavilion (Pendapa Peradaban)

Betterpad-Ray Main Building

The shape of the Betterpad-Ray Maquette design is a rectangular area with a Betterpad-Ray Main Building located in the center. The main building has a modern form (tends to Western style) because of its complex functions. Whereas Civilization Pavilion (Pendapa Peradaban) is a pavilion or hall that has the shape of a typical archipelago roof with a steep central part. The Shahada Mosque (Masjid Syahadat) is located in the west with a typical archipelago pyramid roof with the form of an Arab style arch on the doors and windows. The structure of the building uses materials from brick, cement, and sand with the supporting pillars especially in the Civilization Pavilion. The use of these modern materials may be replaced with wood, and this can still be adjusted as needed. But large halls or buildings today generally use cement as a base material. As a building complex in tropical countries, the roof is steep so that rainwater can easily flow down. The Betterpad-Ray Complex has various buildings arranged in such a way according to their needs and appropriateness. Hall (Civilization Pavilion) as a public space located in front of the Main Building, then there is a large yard in front of it. While the Shahada Mosque is located in the west towards the Qibla. God willing, detailed decorations on Betterpad-Ray display the cultural elements of the archipelago, even all regions in Indonesia if they exist, as a manifestation of unity in diversity. This fact shows how important the meaning of traditional architecture as a reflection of culture. So the preservation of traditional buildings is not just to preserve ancient buildings but also to expand the message and information of cultural values that exist and are strengthened by and for future generations.

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)

 (Architecture Hobby)

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