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.