The Third Typology: Architecture on the Bank of the Bengawan Solo

Abstract

Indonesia has a wide range of vernacular architectural styles known as rumah adat. However, the passage of time and colonialism has caused a decline in the traditional rumah adat. The architectural landscape of the post-1940s embraced the international style. Although these designs are pragmatically efficient and relatively simpler to construct, they are ill-suited for Indonesia's tropical climate. The rumah adat, on the other hand, can integrate seamlessly with the Indonesian climate. Nonetheless, it faces challenges of scalability and constructability. While the international style addresses these issues, it often fails to harmonize with the local climate. This situation prompts a pivotal question: How can architectural solutions be climatically appropriate, contextual, and scalable? This thesis explores the 'third typology,' bridging the gap between the vernacular and contemporary architectural typologies. Embracing Indonesia's cultural regionalism, the work leverages principles of sublimeness, intricate plays of light and shadow, climatic responsiveness, and contextual design.