Thursday, April 16, 2020

BETTERPAD-RAY MAQUETTE - Typology of Traditional Indonesian Architecture and Case Studies

Indonesian architects have various views on Indonesian architecture that were inherited by the ancestors. Basically, Yuswadi Salya does not agree if architecture is only observed as a mere physical object, and the architect's task is not to create the physical object but rather to interpret ritual behavior. The ritual aspect raises the element of 'mystery' because there is something that humans still don't know about what they do in the 'ritual activities'. Humans realize that as much as anything, trying as hard as anything to learn and know what they want to achieve, there are still many things that will not be achieved by humans. Behind something there must be something more difficult to reach. In life, after finding something behind something, it turns out there is still something that makes people want to dig more. And such endeavors have limits, in contrast to the vast unlimited dimensions. Likewise with the interpretation of architecture that incidentally 'works' of humans themselves, although indeed its development occurred since the days of ancestors, where it is no longer possible to know clearly about what is actually experienced by the ancestors because of death and time have separated between generations. The architectural interpretation of the ritual aspect should have given rise to the 'mystery' in it.


Betterpad-Ray / Mural Fortress Design Maquette from the Front
[When observing the building design mockups/maquette that have not yet been made, there must be something intriguing. Because it is only a small design, the shape of the model is certainly simpler than the original shape of the building. Questions will arise about how buildings will be made and what the function and purpose of each design is. With the mockup/maquette design that has been made neatly by paying attention to the composition and harmony, about whether the original form will be suitable and as good as the shape of the design is the long-awaited thing. If there is indeed no problem in development, the design of the model can be realized complete with details not yet described in the model.
Being curious is a feeling of something that remains a mystery. In the design of the model there is also a mystery that is not yet unknown to others with each view arising from the absence of a definite intention that is known. Although the original design of the model or building is usually requested or created by the owner of the project, an architect or maketor (who designs the model) has its own purpose in his work. Especially if the one who has a project is the one who directly designs himself, of course only God and he/she who knows. Others can accept explanations from those who make designs, but interpretations from one's own perspective will still arise. In the design model of Betterpad-Ray (Benteng Terpadu Raya/Great Integrated Fortress) or Mural Fortress also creates mystery for anyone who sees it and indeed there are various views that arise from the people who observe it. The existence of a very large pendapa (traditional pavilion) design is indeed something unique and extraordinary. Pendapa, as an official building that is open without a wall, has given rise to various interpretations of its unique structure. Even though there has been an explanation based on the heritage of the ancestors, the uniqueness of the pendapa remains a mystery.]
Suppose there is a picture of a pendapa with a natural landscape around it. In front of the pendapa there is an adult standing at a considerable distance pointing at the pendapa. Next to the person is a small child who looks in the direction the adult is pointing at. Of course there is a mystery that arises about whether the person appoints the pendapa itself or something that is behind the pendapa. This example is inspired by Abbe Laugier's drawings of primitive hut in his writing. It can be interpreted that young children are connoisseurs of art and adults are 'architecture', to refer to something that is shown (pendapa or something behind the mysterious). Different views from the example above can lead to various interpretations that lead to mystery. In this example it is not explained whether an adult said something pointed or not. Only an action is seen from the outside.
[In addition to buildings without wall, when seeing a picture of people pointing to a closed building also raises the mystery, whether what is pointed is something in front of the building, on the surface of the building, or that is in the building. When the pointed building is without wall, then the pointed point can also be behind the building without the wall, because what is behind it (the side behind the object being observed / in front of the observer) is clearly visible without any obstruction. When pointing at a closed building, it is difficult or unable to lead to something behind it, because it is impossible to know what's behind it. Unless you've seen an object that was seen at the back of the building and is thought to be still there or looking for something that is thought to be there. Of course it is only conjecture, unlike when you see something behind the pendapa or even an open hut that is clearly visible.
The design goal of a large pendapa (Pendapa Peradaban / Civilization Pavilion) in the design of the Mural Fortress was made so that people could see the scenery outside the pendapa more freely. What is meant by the front of Civilization Pavilion is the one facing the main yard of Betterpad-Ray, while the back is opposite to the front or close to the main building. Sometimes in government buildings, the back of the pendapa has a wall that can function as a screen or an explanation board as well as restricting public space from government work space. In the design of the Civilization Pavilion can also be made like that or may not.]
Basically, a primitive hut is an unclear form. His portrayal and examples of physical form have not or cannot be explained clearly by any person. Based on the description of Abbe Laugier, a simple primitive hut consists of four poles (wood stick) forming a rectangular right angulars formation and above it there are two facing triangle shapes, each of which rests on two poles and the two peaks of the three sides are connected by horizontal wood so that they can form a roof that uses leaves or grass. The structure is not yet known for certainty and its existence, but is considered 'ever' existed and manifested in human civilization, such as the statement of Robi Sularto and Darmawan Prawirodihardjo that has been mentioned in the article Studying Traditional Indonesian Architecture.


Top View of the Betterpad-Ray / Mural Fortress Maquette
Typologically, Indonesia's traditional architecture is in accordance with the depiction of primitive hut. Columns and roofs are the two main elements found in both of the above. The other elements are only secondary. When trying to draw the traditional architecture on a paper by simplifying its shape, whether it is a plan, cut, or outward appearance, the visible components are points (representing columns) and lines (representing sides of a flat dimension). If grouped by type, there will be two basic nature groups: linear and centered. If it is made in the direction of new functions and forms, these points and lines can be enlarged in dimensions, such as points that form columns of buildings and flat areas that form the roof, walls, and outlines of building elements. This action seems easy to imagine and can give a clear, simple but realistic depiction of real work. However, in order for the original image to be felt more, there are things that must be done, namely the point element must be more dominant than the line element.
In observing architectural works, not only the finished results are seen, the process is also important to note. Sometimes it's not the contents / meaning that is the main focus, but the outer skin. This is what led Robi Sularto to give a fairly piercing statement about the habit of 'looking at traditional architecture from the outside', so that 'loved by misunderstanding, and ridiculed without understanding'.
Medieval architecture is seen by Leon and Rob Krier as an ideal model because it illustrates the life of people who are able to show their existence, family, community groups, and the relationship of religious institutions with the government, not because of the shape or style of buildings in that era. At that time, every builder also acted as an architect, contractor, and artist. They are not learned scholars, but community service. While they were working on the construction of the building, the whole family also lived in the area of the building that was made and lived with community groups in that place. While their husbands work, all their life needs are met by the group concerned. That is, the process of making a building is also followed by rules about the life patterns of all parties in it. Therefore, the focus of the attention of the latest generation of typologists is the problem of urban city design, because the conditions are not organized and getting worse, both the physical and social conditions of the community. So, it is only natural that the search for Indonesian architectural forms starts in cities, while the sources of reference are sought in the countryside.
In Indonesia there is also a city regulation that regulates the relations between the community and government. This has been true since ancient times. From a personal point of view, the traditional era (indeed the size of the time is still wide) is able to reflect the socio-cultural life of the Indonesian people and its legacy is still sustainable today, even if only in part. Religion and government are two inseparable things in Indonesia. The public place of worship is located near the central government building, with the two facing a large square as a gathering place. Basically, the economy is the main thing that is considered by the government, because this is the main wheel of human life. Thus, the market is generally also located near the city center or crossroads. The government also needs to regulate public security and order in accordance with applicable law. So, the building to take care of legal matters also stands at the center of government. These are the elements of city building layout which at least all of them must be present.


Map of the Surakarta Sunanate Palace Area
Source: Google Maps
In Depok, there is the University of Indonesia campus whose overall development planning, as well as each of several buildings, uses a typology approach. This is to realize the purpose of university leadership, which is to reflect the taxonomy of science and express architectural values inherited from previous generations of builders in Indonesia. Even the name of the campus clearly uses the name of the country, so the design must also represent Indonesia. As a university located in the Jakarta metropolitan area, the capital city of Indonesia, of course the people in it, especially its many students, many come from various regions in Indonesia, both native to the region and because their parents moved and settled in Jakarta. Based on personal views, to present it all, the values of Indonesian architecture are displayed on the campus of the University of Indonesia to show pride in the noble sciences of the predecessors who can strengthen national unity.


The University of Indonesia Complex from Above
Source: Google Maps
[There are three main designs in the Betterpad-Ray Mockup/Maquette, namely the Shahada Mosque (Masjid Syahadat), Civilization Pavilion (Pendapa Peradaban), and the Betterpad-Ray Main Building. Basically, the building complex with the three objects is quite complete, the other is the design of complementary facilities that can support other useful activities. In general, the design of the Mural Fortress building complex was made to accommodate various social activities. With the various forms of buildings arranged with attention to composition and harmony, it is expected that between the activities carried out can be mutually sustainable, both directly and indirectly, with the aim of improving science and giving moral values.]
Design of the Shahada Mosque
 
Civilization Pavilion Design


Betterpad-Ray Main Building Design
[Thus the article mixed with science and discussion about the design of the Betterpad-Ray Maquette/Mockup. 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.

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BETTERPAD-RAY MOCKUP - Materiaal van de muur van de Shahada-moskee (Masjid Syahadat)

"Sorry If There Is A Deficiency / Error In Translation From Indonesian To Related Languages, Because It Only Uses Google Translate"...

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