The Nature of Tropical Architecture in Indonesian Modernism
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DOCUMENTATION ISSUES buildings, such as hospitals.5 Several engineers based in Surabaya reported their implemen- tation of mechanical air conditioning in the colony in a prestigious engineering journal, The Nature of Tropical Architecture De Ingenieur in Nederlandsch-Indie. It was reported that air conditioning was a necessity in Indonesian Modernism in hospitals as it enabled desired conditions for operating, nursing, as well as other health care activities. Due to the increasing popu- BY SETIADI SOPANDI larity of air-conditioning, electrical engineer P. Timmerman warned the electricity supply companies to promote and to anticipate the The idea of environmental design – or loosely referred to as “tropical architecture” – is an ever- surge of electricity in the near future.6 The present but underlying discourse in modern Indonesian architectural history. Despite being tentative architect-engineer B. de Vistarini welcomed 7 and, at times, overshadowed by other dominant issues, the quest for climate-related environmental the use of air-conditioning in the country. tropical design is apparent in almost every generation of Indonesian architects. He predicted that it would decrease the height of office spaces and consequently its volume; therefore more floors could be fitted into the same building height, making office spaces in the tropics not so different from the Too often we come across the two-word but it highlights the global extent of modern ones in Europe. The climate-controlled build- phrase: “tropical architecture” to conjure up architecture, its various historical precedents ings would benefit from air-conditioning, preconceived ideas illustrating a building in the former colonial states, and, more im- since the windows would be closed all the or a complex of buildings dominated by the portantly, in post-colonial development.2 time, which would reduce street noise. In a presence of the roof, frequently lacking walls, Along with the development of colonial larger context, the air-conditioning of indoor and surrounded by lush tropical gardens and cities and infrastructure in the Dutch East spaces would reduce the distance between water bodies. The term “tropical” is a synec- Indies, the earliest discussion concerning the buildings. Vistarini, however, warned that the doche in Indonesian architectural history. It tropics was related to the alarming health perimeters of buildings should be designed to 63 — 2020/2 potentially addresses the complexity of the problems in towns and villages caused by protect users from the temperature difference tropics – ecologically, environmentally, and hygiene-related “tropical” diseases. Interest- between indoors and outdoors. He also as- culturally – and how it has been interrelated ingly, the earliest accounts on the issue did serted that the external skin of a modern air to architectural discourse. The term, despite not come from architects, but from a retired – conditioned building – walls, windows, and docomomo being omnipotent in every historical period, Dutch army general and engineer, G. W. F. doors - should be strongly built, becoming tends to be only tentatively present in almost Vos. In 1890, he submitted the only entry in more solid than usual. every architectural discourse throughout the a competition held by the Royal Institute of Before air conditioning became the norm, 20th century. Engineers and The Association for the Pro- engineers and architects had to rely on local Architects and engineers (as well as motion of Medical Sciences on developing vernacular practices and models, whilst, at scientists) throughout the 20th century a hygienic living environment in the Dutch the same time, creatively employing modern have been occupied with the prospect that East Indies. His proposal, titled “Indonesian architectural elements to provide desirable architectural design and building mechani- building hygiene, a test of an application of conditions for habitation. C. J. de Bruijn, Documentation Issues cal services might help people to deal with medical sciences to building in the Dutch another retired general from the Dutch army undesirable climatic conditions, not only East Indies”, addressed concerns, based on corps of engineers, expanded and republished to overcome discomfort but also to provide modern medical principles, on health-related Vos’s 1891 book in 1926 as a 9 volume set. The better protection against growing unsanitary, hazards in traditional and vernacular building first volume addressed 15 infectious tropical pollution-infested, and hazardous environ- practices. One of Vos’s strongest comments diseases and suggested ways to eradicate ments. Architecture, it seemed, swung from on vernacular building practices was the use them. Diseases were considered to be closely an artistic discipline towards a scientific and of excessive verandahs which caused dark related to environmental issues and were technological domain. In the light of tech- and damp domestic space interiors.3 seen as avoidable through good planning no-scientific development in architecture, a There were also medical concerns about measures. De Bruijn indicated seven aspects of fellow architect-researcher, Lai Chee Kien the effect of tropical heat on the white popu- environmental planning: air, natural sunlight, suggests, in the working paper that he wrote lation. An article written by a Dutch doctor water, ground, water supply, drainage, and in 2002 entitled “Tropical Tropes”,1 that “trop- published by De Indische Gids, 1891, reports sewerage. In the second volume, he explored ical architecture” was started as a colonial that heat may harm the geestkracht [mental and reconsidered the common use of building project, when infrastructure development in stamina] of the white people in the Indies.4 materials and construction. He mentioned the tropics – where most colonial exploita- It said to endanger Europeans’ well-being the hygienic and functional requirements tion occurred – was a necessity for European and diminished their productivity. Engineers demanded by various building types such as enterprises and institutions to work. During sought inspiration from abroad to overcome houses and housing, sports facilities, schools, the postwar decades, it became a fashion this problem; however, for many, the idea factories, abattoirs, prisons, markets and stalls, where technological transfers, aid, and of mechanically air-conditioned spaces (in and military buildings. The book provided business investments were delivered from the buildings and train carriages) was considered instructions and models on how to design and First and Second World countries to the rest a ridiculous solution at that time. build, not limited to health and hygiene but of the world. This is not entirely new within By 1938, air-cooling installations were also to achieve comfort and avoiding problems the scholarship of the Modern Movement, already quite common in institutional specific to tropical conditions. 70 01 Hendrik Freerk Tillema, the book cover of Van Women en Bewonen, 02 F. J. L. Ghijsels, Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij Hospital, Petamburan, Van Bouwen, Huis en Erf, 1913. © TU Delft Library, retrieved from Jakarta, Indonesia, 1914-1915. © Collectie Stichting Nationaal Museum http://colonialarchitecture.eu. van Wereldculturen. Before de Bruijn’s contribution, Hendrik having a distinctive character that integrated Thanks to the immediate availability Freerk Tillema (1870-1952), a Dutch pharma- the environmental control elements on the of modern construction materials and cist-entrepreneur living in Semarang, raised building with the architectural expression.8 techniques from Europe and thanks to the concerns about the living conditions of the The environmental control features – such as prosperous colonial economy between the common people in the colony. In 1913, he verandah galleries, large roof overhangs, deep Wars, the architect-engineers in the early published Van Wonen en Bewonen, Van Bouwen, openings – were becoming more and more 20th century enjoyed vast building opportuni- Huis en Erf [Of House and Home; Building, common in institutional projects in the years ties and the freedom of experimenting with 63 — 2020/2 House and Site] discussing the layout of hous- leading up to the 1920s and 1930s, coupled new forms. The freedom brought by the new ing areas, water management, and good qual- with the introduction of simpler geometry, styles gave a fresh outlook on how modern ity drinking water. Amongst the problems and asymmetrical architectural compositions. architecture dealt with the tropics in terms in general housing, highlighted by Tillema, Dutch engineers contributed by sharing of both the climate and the culture. Modern docomomo was the insufficient protection against the their research and experience in the colony tropical architecture eventually developed sun, poor ventilation conditions, vegetation, through journals, publications, and teach- a wider range of expression using new mate- un-separated water flows, blocked drains, ing as well by appropriating technological rials and engaging references both from the and stagnant water. In 1915-1923 Tillema innovation from Europe and America. The as- variety of vernacular architectural forms and consistently advocated his cause for better sociation of Building Engineers (Vereeniging the modernist architectural vocabulary. urban planning and published his master- van Bouwkundigen in Nederlandsch-indie, The pivotal point in the technical discourse piece Kromoblanda –