Opening impression: Gates a stylish entry point<\/p>\n
Nirwono Joga, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The gate still plays an important role in a modern house,
\naccentuating the house's style and beauty. But the first
\nimpression of a gate is usually little changed from that of
\nyesteryear -- robust, symmetrical and formal.<\/p>\n
Basically, a house gate and gateway have a unique and easily
\nrecognized shape -- two large columns, either separated from each
\nother or combined to form an upside down U-shape, a number of
\ncascading steps, and with or without door bars.<\/p>\n
With its prominent location, the gate assumes a strong and
\ncentral position as part of the fence in the front yard of a
\nhouse.<\/p>\n
In traditional buildings, like those found in Java and Bali,
\none would have to enter through a gate before stepping into a
\nhouse yard. In simple terms, a gate is meant as a transition
\nspace before entering the holy domain of the house, as the
\ndwelling place of a sacred personality.<\/p>\n
The inner sanctum of a house is considered sacred since not
\neveryone can enter it. It is also the reason why a gate is
\nusually built using space that only allows one person to pass
\nthrough at a time, which is also an indication that queuing has
\nlong been practiced here.<\/p>\n
The cascading steps that one has to tread on to get to the
\ngate symbolize achievement in life. For instance, house ownership
\nis a social status that can be achieved only through tiring
\nstages that require great patience. Philosophically, it tells
\nthat nothing can be obtained instantly in life in the pursuit of
\nhappiness.<\/p>\n
In medium and large houses in big cities today, the basic
\nshape of a gate is maintained but the material to create it has
\nbeen adjusted to the house owner's taste, building's style and
\navailability of building materials.<\/p>\n
Typical features of a gate as a focal point of a house -- to
\nallow everyone to find out where the main entrance of the house
\nis located -- also remain. For security reasons, the doorway is
\nprovided with door bars made out of plain or carved durable wood
\nthat can withstand all types of weather.<\/p>\n
For some people, in order to present a strong traditional
\nimpression, a gate may also be made of a coarse-textured slabs of
\nstone usually found in an old temple, a reminder of the gate in
\nJavanese Hindu temples.<\/p>\n
Gates in some housing complexes in Bali are frequently made of
\nancient bricks from the Majapahit kingdom era. But limited
\navailability of this particular stone has inspired the use of
\nother materials which give a similar impression.<\/p>\n
For some people, a gate is complete only with the presence of
\ntwo Dwarapala statues holding their cudgels as guards of the
\nhouse. The presence of the statues reinforces the impression of
\nfearsomeness, a warning that trespassers should stay out. Others,
\nhowever, prefer to place two statues of goddesses to give the
\nimpression of sweetness, beauty and exoticism.<\/p>\n
In many gateways, the steps tend to narrow as they lead to the
\nmain door and then they broaden again. The material, however,
\nmust be adjusted to those used for the gate: slabs of stones used
\nin a temple, river stones or other motifs.<\/p>\n
While in the past torches were placed at a gate, today
\nartistic lamps are used symmetrically on the wall of the gate or
\nslightly inside the wall, creating a solemn and tranquil
\natmosphere when one enters the gate at night.<\/p>\n
When a house is provided with a gate, it means it has quite a
\nspacious yard. The presence of a gate in a medium or large sized
\nhouse will create a cluttered, smothering impression if there is
\nonly a short distance between the front terrace and the pathway
\nleading to it. But in a smaller house, the presence of a gate
\nwill become an identifying landmark if the front yard is spacious
\nenough.<\/p>\n
As a gate serves as a partition and links the outer and the
\ninner part of a house, if it is specially designed, it adds an
\nartistic nuance and lends beauty to the house, especially if it
\nis in harmony with the entire building in terms of structure,
\nbuilding materials and colors. For the gate, and the initial
\nimpression it makes, should never be taken for granted.<\/p>\n
-- The writer is a landscape architect.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/opening-impression-gates-a-stylish-entry-point-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }