Balinese Christian Architecture, 1936-2000

Abstract

Balinese traditional architecture has grown for hundreds of years. The encounter with Christianity has also taken place long before, but has only made significant changes since the beginning of the 20th century. This paper discusses the process started from the development of Christian village of Blimbingsari and Ambyarsari in West Bali, to a spread-growing period of a new culture and new architecture later known as Balinese Christian Architecture. The purpose of this study is to describe the development of this distinctive activity driven and fascinating architecture, at the span of time where the most important events occurred in the process of inculturation of Hindu-Balinese architecture and western Christianity. This ongoing study is done by a limited field study method on Christian villages in Bali, where the researcher stay, interact and experience the everyday life within the community. The result shows the long life struggle of Balinese Christian Architecture to this modern era. In the end, the experience can be developed to build knowledge regarding inculturation, in creating a new kind of architecture and culture.