Fascination of details
Decoration April 18th, 2010
All the ancient ruin in old Majapahit that survive until this moment has a tendency to show details, like all ancient building in Java and Nusantara. Details have become a part of Javanese architecture and inseparable element of buildings.
Fine example, details in Bajangratu Gate Temple, with many symbols made inside relief. Aside of building presence that exist until now with some restoration, the temple is not only attractive from its monumental size and proportion, but also visually attractive with interesting corners even from the nearest distance.
Attractive not only visually appealing, but also attractive because observer can be triggered to understand many visual phenomena, like form, symbols, and details.
Buildings in Majapahit have mystical trace that is incomparable with ‘modern’ buildings, even the terminology would not be well known in western literature. And to ‘experience’ the feeling that happens because of the trace, there is no other way than visiting the site and feel the space, the solids and voids.
Valuable lesson from visiting the old sites is seeing and knowing how ancient societies build their building. Visiting the site also help us understand the space that may give inspiration when designing.
Detail as a part of Nusantara (Indonesian) traditional architecture is less used in the euphoria of ‘modern’ architecture, whereas modern architecture had been declared ‘dead’ by Jencks, and ‘less is more’ by Meis Van der Rohe had been ‘less is bore’ by Venturi. Detail presence in temple buildings become the main power beside the all form of building. This makes detail as an attractive visual pleasure aside of symbolism contained to give more value of historical information through figures.
It is very much a pleasure to know that detail presence is a bridge to continue tradition in modern context. Simply because detail is a part of traditional architecture (especially in Indonesia). And it is a pleasure to explore new architecture technology in detail.
That is why detail use needs to be thought as a step for historical preservation, simply because detail has been a part of traditional architecture. Detail in here is local vocabulary that become a part of modern construction.
This is possible as part of ‘infiltration’ of traditional architecture inside modern architecture, making aliened ideas as the side effect of modern architecture coming into a new level of postmodernism. Image from detail can be an added value of visual image of building, that will add more value to its observer. This because human is creature with emotion, feeling and subjective memory and a will to interpret space to form future memory.
We can not replace memory of being in a certain place, with seeing picture in books or magazine. Because all sensation related to space will only be perfected if the observer present in the space (like mentioned in the book “Merah Putih Arsitektur Nusantara” or Red White Nusantara Architecture, written by Galih Widjil Pangarsa). Even so, observer’s behavior will determine interpretation of architecture object. This will determine whether an observer will appreciate an architecture object or not.
From perception, there might be interest to temple buildings in Majapahit. The reality is, an old building can be more interesting than the new one. This is like comparing an old remain of the Majapahit with new mall building, for instance. Inside a mall, there are interesting objects that may bring amusement, especially because technology has been able to make new architecture ‘candies’.
By my experience, architecture and the existing space can trigger an interest to this kind of old architecture. Not like the perception that exist in the presence of space, meaning, symbol, details and other things. Of course, there is a difference of touching a wall that was made centuries ago, compared with modern glass wall. In this case, there is a difference of aesthetic value, and this will determine understanding of architectural object in different context, in other word, the ability to be interested in an architectural object.
In iconography context, there are many vocabularies can be ‘seed’ to tradition, or without being too extreme, a strong vocabulary of local values.
To bring icon of the past into present time is not impossible, for instance the one done by Renzo Piano with Tjibau Cultural Center, in Noumea, New Caledonia. This iconography brought new context of vernacular Kanak house architecture, creating aesthetic and beautiful new architecture that has a connection with local values.
Modern architecture style in Indonesia
Eksterior April 18th, 2010
Modern architecture does not have its development in Indonesia, because, as other architectural styles imported from western countries, this force into Indonesia as the impact of globalization. Modern architectural styles emerged as an international force has enough similarities in all places, all the countries. At least, the modern style rooms still carry the function as a starting point design. In Indonesia, a modern style which is seen as the force is also a function of the design starting point.
Modern style is a simple style, clean, functional, stylish, trendy, up-to-date related to the modern lifestyle that is rapidly growing. Modern lifestyle is supported by advances in technology, where many things that previously could not be made and obtained became available to many people.
In the modern lifestyle, the people in it tend to like things that are easy and fast, because various industrial tools generated for human convenience. The nature of the modern lifestyle is a demand to move and do things more quickly, which is supported by technology and industrialization. Technology developed to make work and everyday life more quickly and easily, such as the development of information technology that allows people to communicate using a telephone and a computer sort.
Quality and speed became essential to the modern lifestyle, so there is a tendency to see the value of objects based on the large number of functions or object function, and based on compliance with the demanding lifestyle of fast-paced, easy and functional.
In architecture, modern lifestyle impact to the desire to have a simple structure, clean and functional, as a symbol of the modern spirit. However, this kind of lifestyle is only partially owned by the community alone, especially those located in big cities, where living the lifestyle demands more quickly, functional and efficient.
In Indonesia, modern style which is applied sometimes still have aesthetic elements that brought the classic or ethnic style, while others have met a pure modern design rules. Is still often heard the term modern classic architecture, modern architecture ethnic, modern traditional architecture, modern bali architecture, and so on. In Indonesia, there is a tendency to include elements of traditional ornaments that make it a category of ambiguous architecture, whether modern or postmodern?
To call the modern style of ornate as a pure modern style is not the right thing, after all, the process of developing this style does not happen in Indonesia. To call it a postmodern style, moreover, in Indonesia, even this term tends to be avoided to avoid the lack of fahaman society. So the style of modern architecture in Indonesia will emerge as a distinctive style of “Modern Indonesia” with the following characteristics:
q Have great attention to the function space, the pattern of activity obtained from residents
q Have great attention to building materials that are used to obtain final results (aesthetic) desired
q Having a machine analogy in the structuring and developing spaces
Avoiding q ornaments (if pure modern style), or use ornaments (if postmodern, or given such frills: ethnic modern architecture, modern Balinese architecture, etc.)
q Simplifying forms and details of ornamentation and the removal of ‘unnecessary’ wishes as far as designers (or the owner of the building)
Aligning Minimalist Home + Garden
Gardening April 18th, 2010
The house and garden is a community cultural reinterpretation of nature and life where she lived. Home is where we rest homes, socializing, family, and worship. Park is a reflection of natural energy, and energy is the source of life. So, if the house and the garden is designed as a harmonious life will give energy to the occupants.
The concept of minimalist home and garden dedicated to increasing the value of an entire room (exterior and interior) by reducing the excess of everything in the room. Minimalist philosophy represents a practical way of life, dynamic, concise, effective, and efficient, which is applied in all aspects of life including house building architecture, interior space and exterior gardens. Collaboration minimalist house and garden became the medium of communication between the architecture and landscaping in the form of contrast, hard-soft, stiff, soft, dead-alive, geometric, dynamic, and between man-made (cultural) and nature.
Minimalist eliminate saturation with the use of many decorative ornaments, knick-knacks accessories. Character and quality of spaces created by the existence of space defined itself, not by the furniture and accessory knick-knacks in it. Space becomes felt relieved (empty, immortality, meditative atmosphere) according to the primary needs of residents, to optimize the circulation of healthy fresh air, and lighting is abundant sunshine (rich colors).
Natural light from windows, doors, walls transparent (stained glass, glassblock), or skylights, shade trees, plants and paving composition, will present an appropriate image objects from sunlight reflected off the walls as a natural aesthetic separate elements. While the game system very artistic lights, spotlights good, light plant, to the chandelier with geometric shapes, can liven the evening.
It must be understood, the concept of Western and Eastern minimalism is somewhat different. Western minimalist concept of rational functional tends to a greater emphasis on the function of space and material honesty of expression. While the concept was strongly influenced East minimalist Zen-Buddhist philosophy that emphasizes simplicity, harmony, efficient, and effective, and symbolizes the emptiness and silence (spiritual values) for each space created a clear, plain, and clear, so the space can be lived greatness of the Creator. Being a natural minimalist.
Geometric patterns, proportionate, effective, efficient, neutral colors, and natural (the impression of relief and field), pure colors (primary), the representation of nature (plants, contour shape, the element of water), raw materials without excessive finishing (impression of quiet, gentle , pure, pure, innocent), texture, and contrast. Quality home and garden design, space, and the resolution of the structure must be getting better.
Form of straightforward design, plain, simple, uncomplicated, compact, and efficiency-effective space. Blocking mass, materials, lighting, repetition, circulation compact, multifunctional space optimization and sequential. The value and beauty of the house does not rely on a minimalist garden ornaments and artificial objects, but more meaningful to an honest form, function, and the inspiration that spaces are created.
Structuring minimalist home and garden requires a harmonious overall look, a combination of hard materials (concrete, stone, coral, gravel, sand), the physical structure of buildings and exotic plants, exotic colors, as well as supporting elements (lights, ponds, benches, statues , furniture). Harmony requires minimal materials, shape, color, and texture with the impression conveyed to the warm, intimate, romantic, natural, or futuristic. Games monochromatic colors with themes such as the gradation of one or two primary colors to create unity between the house and the garden.
Use of building materials (house and garden) minimalism is not necessarily expensive. Use of simple materials (a strong element of simplicity) is not a luxury with expensive materials, and natural materials (elements of harmony with nature). Exposure domination materials (soft and hard) will produce certain effects different. Design and calculations of detail structure can save the use of materials with the results of building materials and garden house optimum artistic appearance.
The arrangement of furniture requires order, where everything is orderly in their respective position. The room filled with furniture that is very efficient and functional course. Selected furniture only really needed, not a decorative element, if possible multifunctional. Room was clean and seemed relieved. Furniture interior and exterior with geometric forms aims to maximize the use of space, there is no gap or space left to die.
Parks play an important role include the beauty and harmony of nature into the building and together with the surrounding natural environment. Park as a dynamic live objects instead provides minimalist spirit of the house that often seemed cold and stiff.
The fence is designed to strengthen the impression the house minimalism from textured concrete (horizontal / vertical), or betel leaf walls (pieces arranged storey stone) which was a trend, so that softens the hedge structure stiffness.
The presence of water element in the form of geometric and form pools of water calm, waterfalls, or water spray (fog effect) brings stillness and coolness of the space and audience space.
Minimalist house and garden, they must collaborate to form outside the room setup, building, and space in a balanced (yin yang), berjalinan harmoniously together, and not dominate the other. The division of space is very efficient, functional, and clear hierarchy, and reduce (reduce) the need for space that is not important.
Residents and guests can easily recognize the functions of space. Space seemed to flow from the front yard, front porch, exploration of each of the rooms, until the back porch. Dining room, living room and kitchen have interconnecting regularity, continuity, and harmony of design antarruang.
The totality of his own minimalist garden will be discussed at the next opportunity.
Aligning the house and garden presents a minimalist means home environment calm and soothing.
