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JAVANESEDOMESTICARCHITECTURE

THE HISTORIC JAVANESEDOMESTICARCHITECTURE

JAVANESE DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE

Javanese domestic architecture is distinguishable from religious architecture in Pre-Islamic Time.

The house of men >< the house of gods (Shiwagrha, Manjushrigrha)

Some contrasting charavteristics are identifiable:Temporal : EternalWooden construction : Stone /brick constructionTectonic : Stereotomic Austere : OrnamentedOn stilts : on the ground

Relief Sukuh Temple 15th century

Prambanan Temple 9th century Central Java

Jago Temple13th century East Java

Domestic compound surrounded with walls Sukuh Temple 15th century Central Java

THE LIVING TRADITION OF JAVANESEDOMESTICARCHITECTURE

JOGLO(almost square plan with four main pillars)LIMASAN(Rectangular plan with eight or more main pillars)Multi tiered hipped-roofed building is a type most commonly used in Javanese house

Some characteristics of traditional Javanese house

Consisting a number of pavillions standing on the ground and attached one another in axial arrangementForming a domestic compoundMultiple courtyards enclosed by wallsPreferably in southward orientationServing as representation of macrocosmos (the universe) and microcosmos (the self)INNER >< OUTER

FRONT >< REAR

OPEN >< ENCLOSED

MALE >< FEMALE

PUBLIC >< PRIVATE

Dalem Kaneman: Aerial view and spatial arrangement

A House is an alter-ego of the owner, therefore it is called a DALEM meaning I. A Dalem (noble house) consist of two primary portions Pendopo in the front and Dalem Ageng behind. Usually both have similar shape and size.

Prince Puruboyo (then Sultan Hamengku Buwana VIII ) with his entourage stood in front of his dalem.

Situated in the front, a Pendopo represents the social and overt side of the self. A pendopo is a pillared hall with no wall. Pendopo is used for many kind of social assembly (performance, communal and religious gathering etc.) In a joglo-shaped pendopo the space and construction is centered in the four main pillars (saka guru) supporting the top most roof.

Pendopo of Dalem Joyokusuman, Surakarta.

Pendopo Dalem Mangkubumen Surakarta with its four saka guru supporting piles of beams arranged in reversed pyramid (tumpang sari). The radiant rafters enhance the centrality of the pendopo.

Dalem Ageng represents the inner side of the self

A dalem ageng has size and form similar to those of a pendopo but it is fully enclosed with masonry walls. Three rooms named sentong stands at its rear with the central room serving as family shrine where valuable posessions of the family and heirloom are stored. The main object is a state bed believed to be the place for ancestral spirits or goddess of prosperity to reside temporarily.

Dalem Ageng of Dalem Sasanamulya Surakarta or the Crown Prince Residence (picture: Ariaman)

Rituals [and ritualistic performances] unifies the dual spacesDance & TheaterWayang Kulit [Leather Puppet Theater]Wedding

Wedding as a Ritual of Encounter

Dance as a Ritual of Emergence

Wayang Kulit as a Ritual of Separation

The Space of Colors and the Space of Shadows

The Sultans Palace as Royal Residential Compounds arranged in cosmic principles.