Thread: Balinese “Residential” Architecture

On another string titled Earthquakes in Bali, DCC authored a posting in which he wrote the following:

“But having researched indigenous housing as a matter of personal interest I am unaware of ANY significant historical use of stone or masonry for residential housing in Indonesia or Bali - so if it's there show me...and Dr. Waterson. Read her book "The Living House", it's great. And if I recall correctly it shows not a single masonry residential structure!”

I’d like to get back to this topic because I think it’s important to understand the origins of Balinese architecture, and certainly important to dispel any misconceptions about what materials are used in “residential housing” in Bali...past and present.

The book DCC cites is titled, THE LIVING HOUSE: AN ANTHROPOLOGY OF ARCHITECTURE IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA. The author is Roxana Waterson, who is an associate professor in the department of sociology at the National University of Singapore. While I do not have a copy of this book, having read an extensive review, I cannot find any mention of Bali, and I have no doubt in my mind that nowhere within this book would it imply, infer or directly state that Balinese residential housing does not include extensive use of stone or masonry. I am confident of this because it would be entirely incorrect.

Key to understanding Balinese residential housing is an understanding that the conventional western approach of a large single building with multiple rooms and often multiple floors, has to be discarded. In reality, there is no such thing as a Balinese “house.” The Balinese reside in compounds which are fairly large tracts of land where a number of structures are grouped around a courtyard. The style, location and materials used in each structure within the Balinese compound is guided by a codex called the Asta Kosali, or Kosalia, which are generally written (on lontar) in Jawa Kuno, or Kawi...which is ancient Javanese, and in Bali still used for prayers or other invocations to the Gods.

The oldest definitively datable inscription in Kawi can be found at the Candi Gunung Wukir in eastern Java and it dates to 732 AD. Kawi was also the language used during the Majapahit Dynasty, 1293 to circa 1500, and it is from this period and culture that the Balinese Asta Kosali is derived.

Balinese architecture, on all levels, is derived from the architecture of the Majapahit Dynasty, and during that time, right up until this day, extensive use of stone and masonry was utilized in the construction of all but the most humble of buildings, such as temporary bales constructed for a specific ceremony, rice barns, and the like.

Within a Balinese compound, the structure where the Balinese sleep is called the umah meten. The first two photos I offer here are of an elaborate, and less elaborate umah meten. As a structure, it is the umah meten that gets closest to what in the West might be called a house. Note in both photos the lavish use of masonry both as its foundation and its walls.

Part Two

The origins of present day Balinese architecture to the Majapahit Dynasty is an accepted and proven fact, and it is supported by virtually every scholar, both western and European since 1815 when an archeologist named Wardenaar was directed by Sir Stamford Raffles, the Governor of Singapore, to explore and record this area of Java. This led to the discovery of Trowulan, which was the capitol city of the Majapahit Dynasty.

It is not unimportant to mention the incredible reach and sphere of influence as well as domination that was achieved during the peak of the Majapahit Empire. During Hayam Waruk’s reign, the Majapahit dominated Java, southern Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, the Philippines and of course Bali.

Trowulan has been the target of a number of extensive archeological excavations. Those excavations have proved, without any doubt, what is obvious to anyone with a minor understanding or knowledge of Balinese history and its architecture.

The next two sets of pictures, as pictures “can speak a million words” come from a report by the National Research Center for Archaeology, RI, and another report by Soejatmi Satari. Both reports are published in THE LEGACY OF MAJAPAHIT, ISBN No. 9971-88-453-4. All of the following photos are at the site of, or are of recovered objects from Trowulan and dating pre 1500. In the written reports, the archeology of the domestic structures proves that they were built from stone foundations, stone and brick walls, and with a roofing supported by wooden columns. That is a perfect description of a modern day umah meten in Bali!

The first photo is a view of a foundation with partially remaining structures on top. Notice the obvious similarity to the foundation of the more elaborate umah meten of present day Bali. The second photo is relief carved stone stele. Once again, the similarities of the two structures to Balinese architecture is obvious. The third photo is of four relief carved stone pillar bases. Again, the similarities to present Balinese stone pillar bases is inescapable.

Part 3

As the final set of photos, these should establish in the mind of even the most intense doubting Thomas, the origin and the material used in Majapahit construction carried on to this present day here in Bali.

The first three pieces are terracotta clay house models excavated at Trowulan. Not only do they serve as document of the continuation of style, but they also serve as a document of the three most common forms of roofing material still used in Bali today. The first one, clay tile, the second one, wooden shingles, and the third, thatch, or alang alang. The final piece is a decorated corner roof tile also made from clay.

I hope these three posts dispel once and for all any unfounded notion that the Balinese ever employed wood as the primary building material in their architecture, be it domestic or otherwise. The one exception as I have noted in prior discussions, is with the few remaining Bali Aga, or “pre-Majapahit influence” Balinese.

I also hope that ANY westerner engaged in building and development on Bali is both knowledgeable and appreciative of Balinese architecture.

Roy,

Not to difficult to get under your skin, eh!

Firstly , the conversation re wooden structures was NOT concerning architectural origins, nor were any of my comments. It, they, yada yada were concerning material usage only.

Is it fun doing all your proof making research? Of course Bali is referenced by Dr. Waterson.....I'm laughing because I added the Dr. part because she is in fact a PhD, but mostly because I know how you love to drop impressive names and places. I guess the fact that she's only an associate professor is relevant. You must be going through another challenging period of frustration these days. Rest assured I do make an effort to be informed, but I don't need your approval, or to pass Roy's Bali-litmus-test-of-worthiness, to practice my craft - cuz baby I aint worthy :) but I do have principles of my own that factor in that that is around me and which serve me well.

Back on point - You had loudly stated in wooden house thread that wooden structures don't last in Bali. THAT is what I challenged from your post, politely I may add, because it is bulls--t! Properly erected, selected, and protected wood can last lifetimes anywhere!

In our part of the tropics the principle factors are wet and warm - or hot and sticky - or, whatever! - factors that are in abundance throughout much or the tropical world. And in said conditions, and wherever in that tropical reality, indigenous peoples have used wood and fiber almost exclusively for personal shelter - residential building.

I will retract what I said regarding "ANY" use of masonry comment which could be seen as a gross misstatement - I was not referring to foundations and the like in which stone, etc is used throughout most of the world, and I was not refereeing to clay . I do argue by evidence that in Bali the use of fired brick, stone, or concrete in residential building was the exception until the 20th century.

And the retraction part.....try it sometime buddy...It's easier and more rewarding than being enslaved to one-up-man-ship...that's if the time it took me to write this is any indication:)

And FYI - what those clay and stone carvings/bases/and models show is mostly raised platform construction - as in wood!

DCC, it’s amusing that you think you’re getting under my skin when it is so obvious that it is me, getting under yours. Perhaps you have some “vested interest” in promoting the idea that domestic Balinese architecture is historically based on wooden structures? Whatever, reason, your idea is simply not true. You write…

“I do argue by evidence that in Bali the use of fired brick, stone, or concrete in residential building was the exception until the 20th century.”

Is it unfair for me to ask you for some proof or documentation of this “evidence” that you falsely proclaim to exist?

On the other hand, I can prove that both fired brick and cut stone have regularly been used in the domestic architecture of Java and Bali for many hundreds of years.

Balinese architecture, be it religious, civil, or domestic is primarily based on the building materials of cut stone, fired brick, and mortar. Moreover, the traditions of Balinese architecture are firmly, and undeniably rooted in the Majapahit Dynasty.

I’m sorry, but you will not find a single recognized historian, archaeologist, or architect who will deny this proven fact. Even “your” Dr. Waterson would not support this false claim, but if you think she did…then please share such passages from her book!

If you, or anyone else needs more documentation from me, be it photographic from excavated sites, or quotes from published texts, then just ask.

But you will not be able to support your claim, as it simply is not true.

By its inherent nature, architecture is the most intrusive form of the visual arts. Western developers on Bali have a responsibility to assure that their projects conform to the cultural traditions of Bali. The landscape of Bali is NOT a blank canvas subject to the whims and desires of foreign builders. If unabated, and left to those whims and avarice of western builders, Bali will no longer be recognizable to both those who come here for a vacation, and worse yet, those who live here, and call Bali, home.

If you wish to continue, then please at least offer something you think may support you very false claim, “that in Bali the use of fired brick, stone, or concrete in residential building was the exception until the 20th century.”

Originally Posted by Roy

By its inherent nature, architecture is the most intrusive form of the visual arts. Western developers on Bali have a responsibility to assure that their projects conform to the cultural traditions of Bali. The landscape of Bali is NOT a blank canvas subject to the whims and desires of foreign builders. If unabated, and left to those whims and avarice of western builders, Bali will no longer be recognizable to both those who come here for a vacation, and worse yet, those who live here, and call Bali, home.
”

agreed 100% and isnt this the job of planning approval in Bali ( or the like) to only approve such architecture for Bali ?

It should be…i.e. building license and approval of plans, but it is in fact all too often subject to “incentives” which is only a nice way of saying, corruption!

I’m not going to point fingers, or be specific, as I dislike the idea of suicide as much as I do being a participant in a game of Russian roulette. :shock:

However, within the past reality, and it’s a reality that has been embraced by many Western builders, I do not find an excuse for those Westerners in taking advantage. In fact, they are just as much criminal, and perhaps more, depending on your point of view.

That is all going to change.

Personally, I not only welcome it, I embrace it.

Originally Posted by Roy

I do not find an excuse for those Westerners in taking advantage. In fact, they are just as much criminal, and perhaps more, depending on your point of view.

That is all going to change.

Personally, I not only welcome it, I embrace it.

you are absolutely right Roy,
most people are either unaware, greedy or lack the sensitivity of the true "Bali "aesthetic.

Europe has managed to preserve its visual history because of a collective understanding and will to do so.

So it must come from the Indonesians, to identify and preserve its heritage.