The application of sundanese vernacular concept to the design of modern building - Case study: Aula barat (west hall) of Bandung Institute of Technology, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

As a reaction to the monotonous expression of typical International Style architecture, vernacular architecture is often applied to the design of modern buildings. Unfortunately, most of these applications are limited to copy existing vernacular architectural elements. This research aims to elucidate the application of Sundanese vernacular concepts in modern building designs. In line with this purpose, the Aula Barat (West Hall) Bandung Institute of Technology designed by Maclaine Pont was chosen as the case study. The analysis showed that the Sundanese vernacular concept was presented through the shape of the roof, which is similar to the vernacular house and mosque in the Sundanese village; while the modern lamella construction provides a wide-span structural system. This research complement existing research about Sundanese vernacular architecture, by exploring in-depth how to designed modern buildings that fit new functions and to its zeitgeist, but at the same time embodied the local expressions. It is expected that in the future modern buildings are no longer designed in the form of frozen vernacular architecture. The results of this research can also be a valuable input for stakeholders and architectural conservationists, as well as a source of knowledge for the laypeople.