New restoration contest proposed
New restoration contest proposed
Damar Harsanto, Jakarta
The Jakarta Culture and Museum Agency will hold a contest for
architects to support the restoration of the former Central
Jakarta immigration office on Jl. Teuku Umar No. 1, Central
Jakarta, to revive it as a venue for the arts and cultural shows.
"We need a new design for modern facilities around the
heritage building to support the function of the main building as
an art gallery," said the agency's head Nurhadi Sastrapraja at
City Hall recently. The facilities include road access, a car
park and elevators.
The contest will be the second held by the agency but it has
yet to reveal the date of the contest.
Last year, the agency held a similar contest to redesign the
main building, which is believed to be the first concrete
building built during the Dutch colonial era.
Nurhadi said the administration planned to revive the original
function of the building as a center for the arts.
"During the Dutch administration, the building hosted opera
performances," he said.
The administration has allocated Rp 6.1 billion (US$670,330)
from this year's city budget for the project.
"Hopefully, the renovation work (of the main building) can be
completed this year," he said, although the renovation has not
started yet.
The Jakarta Post observed on Tuesday that the old building was
in poor condition. Most of its window panes and door frames are
missing. Many parts of the walls also have gaping holes.
Indonesian Institute of Architects (IAI) Jakarta chapter
chairman Bambang Eryudhawan called on the administration to
immediately begin the renovation work of the main building.
"We are racing against time to restore the building as many
parts have already been damaged. With many parts of the roof
leaking, rainwater easily enters the building, increasing the
humidity inside and speeding up the deterioration process," he
said.
Bambang also warned the administration to be careful in
appointing a developer in the renovation project.
"So far, the administration has mismanaged heritage buildings
by treating them in the same way as other buildings. Of course,
such mismanagement will only further worsen the condition of our
heritage buildings," he said.
The building originally named the Netherlands-Indische
Kunstkring (the Netherlands-Indies Art Circle) -- was designed by
Dutch architect Pieter Adriaan Jacobus Moojen in 1912 and its
construction started in the same year.
Until 1997, the building served as the Central Jakarta
immigration office. The building was then handed over to private
developer PT Mandala Griya Cipta in 1998 through a land swap
deal. The developer planned to demolish the building in order to
build a new building.
Fortunately, the public as well heritage lovers strongly
opposed the plan, forcing the administration to reclaim the
building from the developer for a hefty Rp 28 billion in 2002.
Unfortunately, most of the antique fixtures -- including lamps,
window and door frames -- were lost under the ownership of the
private company.