Building design contest opens

Building design contest opens

Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The building is in rough shape, many of its windows, doors,
railings and tiles are gone. Located in Mentang, it stands in
stark contrast to many fine buildings in this posh area in
Central Jakarta.

But Adolf Heuken SJ, a historian who lives in the
neighborhood, understands how valuable it is. Not because it used
to be the Central Jakarta Immigration Office, but because it is
one of the oldest and most historic buildings in the city, and
should therefore be protected.

"To me, it was always the stunning gateway to Menteng, where I
discovered the beauty of the nation's first garden neighborhood,"
said Heuken.

Efforts are being made to conserve the building, located on
Jl. Teuku Umar.

The Citizens Concern for Old Buildings (Walibatu), a non
profit organization, is working with the city administration to
hold a contest welcoming the public to come up with a design and
plan for the future use of the building.

The design plan must detail what the building is best used for
and the type of management that will run the building. The
building management must be able to earn its own revenue to
ensure it is self sufficient.

"This is important, because we want all old and especially
historic buildings to survive. Therefore, the proper building
management is crucial," Danang Priatmodjo from Walibatu said.

The contest is open from May 27 to June 27. The winner will be
announced on July 8.

The former immigration office building was designed in 1913 by
Dutch architect, P.A.J Moojen, from the Batavische Kunstkring.
The building was then known as the Kunstkring building and was
used as a cultural center for upper and middle class society in
Menteng.

In 1936, the Kunstkring hosted a world class exhibition where
original works from Marc Chagall, Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo
Picasso were showcased.

"It was a glorious time for the building, the Menteng area and
the country," said Heuken.

After Indonesia gained its independence in 1945, the Justice
Ministry used the Kunstkring building as an immigration office.

In 1993, the ministry made a controversial building swap that
saw ownership of the immigration building handed over to PT
Mandala Griya Cipta (MGC) to be used as an office building.

In May 1998, when rioting occurred in Jakarta the immigration
building suffered and many of its windows, doors, railings and
tiles were being taken by looters, leaving the building bearing
little resemblances to its former glory.

In August 2000, with the building in poor condition, the city
administration decided to buy back the building, without any plan
for what it would be used for.

Now, the public has been invited to present their ideas by
entering a contest organized by Walibatu and the city
administration.

"There are some criteria that must be followed to win the
contest. Number one, the building structure must stay as it is.
The only changes allowed will be those done for cosmetic
purpose," said Danang.

The other criteria are that people of all backgrounds must be
able to use the building and interact, the building must serve as
one of the city's cultural points and the management must be an
independent institution.

"Contestants must write their concepts on A4 paper, in a
maximum of six pages. Any sketches enclosed will not be counted
against the total number of pages," said Danang.

The winner of the contest will receive Rp 7.5 million
(US$842,696), while the second will receive Rp 5 million and the
third place will settle with Rp 2.5 million.

The registration fee is Rp 20,000 and the contestant will
receive blueprints of the former Immigration office along with
the registration forms.

For more information call the Walibatu Writing Contest Office
at (021) 75818002.