It can be argued that literature about Sundanese architecture is rare; if there were any, usually incompleter and often superficially written. An entire book that dedicated to the subject does not exist, only as simple note written by anthropologists, thus are merely speculative. Until now, there has been no methodology that could be use to understand the concept of form and meaning in Sundanese architecture, let alone the concept in the process of cultural change. There has been no research, either theoritical or empirical, to linking the two concepts of form and meaning in Sundanese architecture, so the interpretation of the styles are neither complete nor comprehensive.
The limit of this study regarding the Sundanese architecture are further complicated by the absence of any ancient palace or royal compoundsóor their physical remains. Ancient manuscripts detailed the artsówritings and oral histories containing informations about ordinary life. Sundanese cultural heritage only revolves around the arts, language, dance, drama, music; but conversely to the artifactsóbuildings, monuments, and their ornamentsóthey are extremely rare. Thus, research about Sundanese architecture requires further study to be doggedly pursued.
Prompted by this lack in literature and awareness that the concepts of form and meaning in vernacular architecture are so important in the development of architecture for the future in globalisation era, I have written this book on the basis of research on three case studies of Sundanese vernacular architecture. The case studies have been chosen deliberately so they represent the architectural conditions of Sundanese in the face of the dynamic of change. May this work can serve as a useful reference (or as a starting point to other similar studies) for the development of any necessary strategic steps to ensure the survival of Sundanese architecture in the onslaught of global change.
Sundanese Architecture
Copyright ©2007 by PT. Cipta Sastra Salura, Bandung - Indonesia
First Published in 2007 by :
PT. CIPTA SASTRA SALURA
email : cssalura@yahoo.com
Author: Purnama Salura
English Translation: Frances B. Affandy
Editor: Irene Siswadi
Illustration: Purnama Salura, Irene Siswadi
Cover and Layout Design: Irene Siswadi
Foreword
The substance of this work is taken from a dissertation, the fieldwork for which was accomplished from 2000 to 2002. In the beginning the work included nine case studies, and when winnowed has resulted in three representing locations that provide specific characteristics.
The names of the villages in the book are not their actual names, nor are the names of informants, photographs of the activities, or current conditions; the format of the results of the questionnaire has also been abbreviated. At the same time, care has been taken to assure the accuracy of the materials.
The study has involved many people. While I cannot list each one of them by name, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to each of these individuals for the roles they played in this work.
This book is an effort to position the architecture of the Sundanese people as unique within the Indonesian and global context. While the focus remains on Sundanese architecture, I hope that the materials will be helpful in the study and in mapping of vernacular architecture for the whole archipelago of Indonesia. Many other areas in Indonesia possess the kinds of architectural character that are illustrated in the case studies put forward here and share as well the extremely rare written references and/or empirical data. It is because of this limitation, the form and meaning of Indonesian vernacular architecture has not yet documented.
I have another hope for this book, that it will make a contribution in the development of theory and empiricism for the strategic survival of Sundanese architecture as it faces global change: first, understanding the processes of transformation that have occurred in the past canon of Sundanese architecture; second, an understanding of the dynamic relationship between the concepts of form and meaning in the context of change; and thirdly, understanding the existing and newer meaning of the architecture that relevant towards the creation of references in the process creating local architecture today and in the future.
Prompted by sincere and modest intentions, I hope this book is able to offer three inputs to energize the Sundanese people; first, so the people are able to preserve the aspects of their cultural values in facing the global change, including keeping the harmony in their housing development process; second, for the planners and the authorities in the efforts on developing the potentials of kampong settlement (both new and traditional); and thirdly, for the planning of new settlements and the identification of architectural elements to strengthen the local identity.
As a final word, I hope that this book can be used as a starting point for further examination and elaboration of similar architectural phenomena on different context of people and locations. I hope the book can add to diverse studies that are urgently need in the development of the knowledge of vernacular architecture in Indonesia.
About
Purnama Salura is a distinguished lecturer of architecture at Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung. As a both mentor and lecturer, he pays a great concern in the development of architectural studies, especially on architectural theories and philosophy.
He is a figure that is meticulous in details and his passion has been well spoken in sharing the knowledge through learning and teaching. His works includes many architectural projects and has published two books on architectural subject: “Ber-arsitektur: Membuat, Menggunakan, Mengalami, dan Memahami Arsitektur”(2001) and “Arsitektur Dalam Bingkai Kebudyaan” (2003, with co-writer Dr. Kusnaka Adimihardja).
Table of Contents
i. About the Author
ii. Notes
iii. Forward
iv. Contents
I. Stream, Form and Meaning in Architecture
- The Importance of Understanding Local Architecture
- Understanding the Beliefs Influencing Architecture
- The Concept of Form in Architecture and Chosen Approach
- The Concept of Meaning in Architecture and Chosen Approach
- Concept Dynamics : Form and Meaning in Architecture
II. The Sundanese
- The Sundanese People
- The Concept of Sundanese Architecture
- Tracing the Aspects of Form in Architecture
- Tracing the Aspects of Meaning in Architecture
III. Sundanese Architecture in Three Villages
- Kampong Tonggoh
- Kampong Cigenclang
- Kampong Palastra
- The Concept of Place in Architectural Form
- The Concept of Meaning in Architectural Activity
IV. Form and Meaning in Sundanese Architecture
- The Pattern Deep-Structure
- The Social Deep-Structure
- The Dynamics of Change in the Concept of Form and Meaning in Sundanese Architecture
V. Epilogue
- The ‘Pattern of Three’ and Rectangular Shape
- The Strength and Weakness of the Concept of Sineger-Tengah
- The Concepts of Kaca-Kaca and Circle
- The Practical and Symbolic Measures
vi List of Drawings
ix List of Tables
x Glossary
xv Bibliography
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