In search for Indonesian architecture
In search for Indonesian architecture
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Is there such a thing as a regional Indonesian architectural
style? With the ethnic diversity in the country, it is
unsurprising that architects here have yet to make up their mind;
but the debate is proving interesting.
Some architects point to the traditional Javanese joglo
houses, which represent the shape of a Javanese palace, as an
exemplar of Indonesian architecture. Others, meanwhile, sing the
praises of the rumah gadang structure of West Sumatra's Minang
people; a house with its high, triangular bull's-horn roof.
Another group marvel at the simple-but-functional thatched hut of
the native Papuans.
Muh. Chottob Wibowo, senior editor of architecture magazine
INDONESIA design, said architects here continued to discuss what
made up an Indonesian style.
At the recent discussion, Exploring Indonesian Architecture,
at Kinokuniya bookstore last month, he emphasized that local
architects could not arbitrarily rule that a certain cultural
design encapsulated a national style.
"A more important thing is how the architect can create a
design that fits the needs of the people and matches the
surrounding environment," Chottob said.
Designing houses that suited the climate, weather and the
local geography would end up producing a specific style, he said.
Indonesian Architects Association executive member Budi A.
Sukada said meanwhile, that the architectural designs in
Indonesia were as diverse as the ethnicity of the country.
However, Budi said he believed one set of buildings, the
University of Indonesia complex in Depok, best represented the
essential character of modern Indonesian architecture.
The buildings, which are dominated with rectangular and square
shapes, have high peaked roofs in order to reduce the heat of the
burning sun at noon and warm their rooms below at night.
"The design is very practical. It also ensures air
circulation," Budi said. The higher the roof, the better the
circulation, he said.
House designs in Indonesia shared similarities with those in
other tropical Asian countries that had only two seasons, Budi
said. They were generally designed in square or rectangular
shapes, with high, peaked triangular roofs and similar structures
could be found in other Asian cities like Bangkok.
"The design of the UI campus still shows the character of
Indonesian architecture," Budi said.
While the campus did not specifically represent any ethnic
group, its buildings were typical of those in a tropical country,
he said.