THE CHANGES OF BUILDING CONFIGURATION AND MATERIAL USE IN TRADITIONAL BALINESE HOUSE

Case Study : Houses in Six Villages in Bali-Indonesia

Nina Nurdiani, Religiana H. Aziz Departement of Architecture, Trisakti University Building C, Campus A, Trisakti University, Jl. Kyai Tapa no. 1 Grogol, Jakarta Barat Indonesia 11440 nina@mitrakreasiprima.com religiana_hendarti@yahoo.com Tel. (62-21) 7401058, (62-816) 1449193 Abstract

The Balinese architecture is very popular with its concept which derived from its belief, the Hindu idea of a divine cosmic order (dharma). Correct orientation in space combined with ideas of ritual purity and pollution, are key concepts providing a cosmological framework for maintaining a harmony between human, the universe and the God. This concept can be seen clearly in the site planning of residential compound and the use of materials. It is responsive with the tropical humid climate and the environment. Today the traditional Balinese house is changing. This paper represents a study that focused on the change of building configuration and the use of new materials in traditional Balinese house. The study used descriptive method to know how the change of building configuration in residential compound and how the changes of material use. The case studies were taken in mountain villages, plain village and coastal villages. The result of this study indicates that the influence of other culture and technology improvement has change the building configuration. The building form still experiencing and adapted to the tropical climate, but the quality of its environment decreasing. The local society in traditional villages tries to make form of their house by minimizing adverse impacts on nature and low resource consumption. However the basic concept of Balinese house remains unaltered.

Keywords: building configuration, change, material use, traditional Balinese house, tropical climate.

INTRODUCTION
Nowadays the sustainable development has become a major concern in every country since the natural resources are reducing yet the cost energy is becoming expensive. The declaration interdependence for a sustainable future, the outcome from World Congress of Architects Meeting in June 1993 to declare that building and the built environment play a major role in human impact on the natural environment and the quality of life; sustainable design integrates consideration of resources and energy efficiency, healthy building and materials, ecologically and socially sensitive land-use, and an esthetic sensitivity that inspires, affirms, and ennobles; sustainable design can significantly reduce adverse human impacts on the natural environment while simultaneously improving quality of life and economic well being. Bali, one of over 13.000 islands in Indonesia, is famous for its scenic beauty, friendly people, and unique lifestyle in Bali guided by their social, religious, and cultural traditions. Traditional Balinese house has the concept of correct orientation in space to provide a cosmological framework for maintaining a harmony between human, the universe and the God. This concept reflected on the residential compound and the use of material building. In this time houses in Bali experiencing of many change go to modernization, including houses in traditional villages of Bali. The change generally happened at the building configuration in residential compound and usage of its building material. Limitation of natural resources especially for the material of building and improvement of building technology can push the change of material use at Balinese house (Soeroto, 2003). Today the production of wood and bamboo forest in Bali does not increase (BPS, 2003). Natural stone also represent the source of nature which cannot renewable. So that original building materials tend to be changed by new material. Entry of foreign cultural and local cultural influence the social condition of local society and their culture which indirectly influence to the change of building configuration of traditional Balinese house. Change of building configuration and usage of material at Balinese house can subtract the identity of its traditional architecture. On the other hand the source of biggest income comes from tourism (BPS, 2003) that selling of Balinese culture and tradition, and also its natural beauty. The changes of traditional house in Bali are

hoped remain to anticipate tropical climate and express Balinese traditional architecture. For these reasons study about traditional house of Bali has to be conducted, especially to know how the change of building configuration in residential compound and how the changes of material use. The aimed of the study is to know the evidences in traditional Balinese house at this moment. This study use descriptive method which conducted in 6 traditional villages. They are mountain villages (Tenganan, Panglipuran and Sekardadi), plain village (Bug-Bug) and coastal villages ( Serangan and Kusamba). A Study started by early 2004. Data collecting was conducted by studying literature, observation and interview. This study focused on the change of building configuration and change of building material in its relation to tropical climate and natural resources.

SUSTAINABLE

BUILDING

MATERIALS

AND

BUILDING

DESIGN FOR TROPICAL CLIMATE

The basic strategy for choice of sustainable building materials consists of the following steps: prevention of unnecessary use and efficient use of materials, use of renewable and recycled sources, and selection of materials with the least environmental impact. The main criteria in choice of the materials is prevention of day time indoor temperature rise to above outdoor level and minimization of such elevations during the evening and the night hours, modern insulating materials which combine very low weight and heat capacity together with high thermal resistance may provide the best indoor climate conditions, light, reflective external color (Givoni, 1969). Hot humid tropic zone has a high thermal sun radiation, heavy of rain and hard bow of wind, that is make a high humidity. The building forms in the tropical humid climate have to anticipate this condition. Principles of Building design for tropical climate are provision of continuous and efficient ventilation, protection from the sun, rain and insects, prevention of internal temperature elevation during the day and minimization during the evening and night, wind-large openings to rooms on opposite region side, wind ward or leeward, open planning and wide, free spaces between building help achieve good

ventilation, raising building on stilts, enables better ventilation by locating windows above the zone of max, wind dumping by the surrounding vegetation (Givoni, 1969).

BALI ISLAND
Bali island located just south of the equator in Indonesia, tropical Bali has a hot, wet season (November March) and a cool, dry one (May September). Mountains with Towering volcanoes at North, some still active, contain large lakes which provide water for irrigating thousands of terraced rice field (Subak system), enabling up to 3 harvests per year. Natural resources in Bali are forest which reduced its quantity and quality, agriculture, and plantation. Over the centuries the Balinese have fused influences from Asia and the West with their own traditions. Bali is one of its 33 provinces, with 9 regencies based on the territories of the former kingdoms. Balis tourism has resulted in spectacular economic growth, a thriving hotel industry, and major improvements to transportation and communication facilities. The international fame of Balis culture has brought a heightened sense of identity among the Balinese. Many villages have a unique traditional architecture and produce arts and crafts, present music and dance performances, and hold elaborate religious ceremonies. As always, the Balinese take everything in stride, absorbing and adapting from different sources. They are a flexible and friendly people, welcoming new ideas but at the same time retaining a unique lifestyle and their cultural tradition based on Hinduism religion.

TRADITIONAL VILLAGES IN BALI

Bali has many traditional villages that influenced by its beliefs. The Balinese village is laid out on a kaja-kelod axis running between the mountains (kaja) and the sea (kelod). The centre of the community is typically defined by a crossroads and a large square. Balinese village should ideally have at least three temples. The main village temple (pura desa) is usually located in the most propitious corner (kajakangin) of this open space, although the site may alternatively be occupied by the palace (puri) of a local prince, which between them serves the religious needs of the community. In addition to the main village temple, which is situated at the centre of village, there is also a temple honoring the founding fathers of the community (pura puseh) is placed at the kaja end of the village and another dedicated to the dead (pura dalem) is located at the kelod end. The three temples are known collectively as

kahyangan tiga and they are identified with the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Wisnu, and Siwa. The traditional villages in Bali have three types based on local topographical: mountain village, plain village and coastal village. Mountain villages usually have a linier pattern in its settlement such as in Tenganan, Panglipuran, and Sekardadi. The crossroads is the centre of community that influenced by principle of Bali Aga. Plain villages usually have a grid pattern in its settlement such as in Bug-bug. The square at the centre of village is the centre of the community, because of the influence of Java-Majapahit cultural, where the centre of the village is the main area. Coastal villages usually have a combination both linier and grid pattern such as Serangan and Kusamba.

BALINESE HOUSE
Basically, Balinese house is the configuration of many building in the residential compound within the walls. The concept of Balinese architecture in residential compound can be divided in accordance with the nawa-sanga scheme of things into nine squares consisting of the eight cardinal directions and the centre. The structure of Balinese buildings can be considered in terms of the local Tri angga classification system, which assumes that everything in the natural world can be divided into the three components of nista, madya and utama. These categories are hierarchically ordered in terms of a set of spatial coordinates high, middle and low that in the case of Balinese buildings are identified with the base (nista), timber house posts and curtain walls (madya), and the roof (utama). The base typically consists of four low walls of brick or stone, in-filled with stamped earth. The walls of the base may be plain, profiled or carved with relief depending on the nature of the building and the status and wealth of the owner. The main load-bearing elements of the building consist of a timber post and beam framework. The posts rest on masonry or stone column bases called umpak, and the rigidity of the structure is established by tie-beams which are stiffened at the joints by shores or brackets. The walls of Balinese house are made from stone, brick or even simply mud. The favored building materials is paras, a kind of soft sandstone that is cut into uniform brick-sized blocks and then gently baked in the sun.

The main framework of roof structure is made of bamboo and supported by king posts, girders and columns. The usual roofing material used in ordinary buildings is a thick thatch that is made from alang-alang grass. Split bamboo shingles are a popular choice for roofing material in mountain regions.

THE CHANGE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATION

Mountain Villages (Tenganan, Panglipuran, and Sekardadi)
Generally the original mass configuration in these villages is still defended. Area of outdoor space (natah) in several houses in Tenganan is covered with roof or a kind of pergola which is utilized as a room of circulation. Some houses in Panglipuran, the building of living room (bale tengah) and main bedroom (umah meten) are become a single building but the other buildings are remained unaltered. This change is also applied in Sekardadi (see figure 1) but the building for celebration (bale danging) is eliminated. These few changes appeared because the villagers still hold Bali tradition firmness. In Tenganan the people are more introverts that can be seen from its tall fence, therefore influence from other culture can be filtered. In Panglipuran actually the villagers are more open to other culture but the head of the village has tight regulation to maintain their tradition. As a matter of anticipate to the tropical climate the people do not change the building form. Wide overhang with open terrace is used to protect from the sun and rain. The roof material from clay and enough open space in the compound reduce the solar radiation. The ventilation and wide windows help achieve good air movement. In Sekardadi people use aluminium to reduce cool temperature. The defended of building configuration in these villages makes better flow wind movement.

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Figure 1, Balinese house in Sekardadi village. Figure 2, Balinese house in Tenganan village.

Plain Village (Bug-bug)

In Bug-bug the building configuration is beginning to change into a single building, nevertheless the room arrangement inside the house still follow the traditional compound pattern. This evidence appeared especially in some group of houses which has small site (see figure 3). The villagers try to maximize the requirement of room by reducing outdoor space (natah). The overcome of this change decrease the comfort quality around the environment. To anticipate the tropical climate people make wide openings such as windows and ventilation to prevent the internal temperature elevation during the day and minimization during evening and night. Another exertion is they make open circulation inside the house to make the wind movement flows.

Figure 3. Balinese house in front area of Bug-bug village.

Coastal Villages (Serangan and Kusamba)

There is enough difference strike in these two villages. Firstly, in Kusamba the mass configuration does not change in general, only a building of garage or shop is added to the house compound. On the other hand in Serangan village almost every house is single building and the open space is located in front and in back of the house or surrounding the house (See figure 4). The Bali ornament in the pillar of the house is only the only sign to be recognized as a Balinese house.

Figure 4.

Figure 5.

Figure 4, single Building of Balinese house in Serangan village. Figure 5, the use ceramic tiles in Balinese house in Serangan village.

THE USE OF NEW MATERIALS IN BALINESE HOUSE

Structure Building and Material
In general buildings structure in all settlement still under conception of tri angga. The usage of material for the wall of building is brick or batako except the kitchen building (pawon) still use bamboo to prevent the day temperature indoor temperature rise to above outdoor level. Materials for the roof has changed from alang-alang become clay tile or aluminium and ijuk (arenga pinnata) is only used for praying place, except in Tenganan this material can be used for building roof. The floor use ceramic tiles.

The Material Use in Mountain Villages

The use of material for their building in each village is unique. In Tenganan the use of natural stone, typical red brick of Bali or ornament from cement are used only on the fence wall (see figure 2). This phenomenon is the result from the people characteristic (introvert) yet as a signage of their social strata. On the other hand in Panglipuran material esthetic is used in bale tengah which also the signage for the owner social strata. In Sekardadi aluminium roof is commonly use to reduce cool temperature and its price is cheap.

The Material Use in Plain Village

In Bug-bug the material used is very simple. The use of natural stone or typical red Bali used, furthermore they eliminate the pillar which usually full of ornament. This evidence comes because the economic standard of the society is low.

The Material Use in Coastal Villages

There is different in the usage of material in Serangan. In this village almost entire houses arrange in layers ceramic at the wall of which do not seen in other villages. This condition happened because this material is easy to be maintained and to anticipate the surface temperature from getting high (see figure 5). While in Kusamba usage of local materials are still used such as natural stone and typical red stone of Bali.

CONCLUSION
The result of this study indicates that the influence of other culture and technology improvement has change the building configuration. There are three

types of changes in building configuration. Firstly, there is some elimination of building. Secondly, there is combination of two functions in one building. Thirdly, the multiple buildings configuration becomes single building. The building form still adapted to the tropical climate, but the quality of its environment decreasing because a single building reduce open area in the compound for water infiltration and air movement. The temperature in the environment is higher than before. The Balinese house is changing; the local society in traditional villages tries to make form of their house by minimizing adverse impacts on nature and low resource consumption. However the basic concept of Balinese house remains unaltered.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors wish to acknowledge the Dean of Faculty of Civil and Planning Trisakti University for his support and attention to this research.

REFERENCES
Blowers, Andrew, 1993, Planning for a Sustainable Environment, Earthscan Publications Ltd, London. Davidson, Julian and Bruce Granguist, 1999, Balinese Architecture, PERIPLUS Edition, Singapore. Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, 1984, Arsitektur Tradisional Bali, Kanwil Depdikbud, Bali.

Givoni B, 1969, Man, Climate and Architecture, Elsevier Publishing Company Ltd, New York. Soeroto, Myrtha, 2003, Dari Arsitektur Tradisional Menuju Arsitektur Indonesia, Ghalia Indonesia, Jakarta. Steele, James, 1997, Sustainable Architecture, Principles, Paradigms and Case Studies, Mc. Graw Hill, New York. Yin, Robert K, Case Study Research Design and Methods, Second Edition, SAGE Publication.