Indonesian Architecture

Bali, often called the "Island of the Gods," is known for its unique harmony between the microcosm of human life and the macrocosm of the natural environment. This delicate balance is deeply embedded in its traditional architecture, which reflects a synergy between cultural, religious, and environmental elements. Home to approximately four million people, Bali is Indonesia's only Hindu-majority province. While 1.7% of Indonesia's total population practices Hinduism, 87% of Bali's residents follow the faith. Over centuries, Balinese architecture has evolved through influences from the ancient Bali Aga culture, the Majapahit Kingdom, Dutch colonization, migration, and the rise of global tourism. Visitors are captivated not only by its temples and natural beauty but also by its evolving architectural styles, which strive to preserve the island's cultural essence.

The Indonesia Pavilion at Expo 2025, Osaka, showcases a combination of tradition and forward-looking vision, aligned with the Expo's theme, "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," and symbolizes the philosophy of "Diversity in Unity." Drawing inspiration from Indonesia's rich maritime history, the pavilion's structure takes the form of a stylized boat hull, representing progress and resilience. The rising shape of the design reflects Indonesia's optimistic outlook—moving forward, facing challenges with determination, and striving to achieve ambitious goals.

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Motivated by the shared goal of creating a better, greener future, architects, designers, and sustainability enthusiasts from all over the world came together to exchange ideas and skills regarding the future of bamboo as a construction material. Titled Bamboo U, the 11-day course included teaching participants how to grow bamboo, treatment methods, bamboo design and model making, engineering, carpentry, and construction. The ArchDaily team participated in the workshop, which ran from August 16 - 27, 2024, and documented the full course from start to finish.

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Architecture is about passion, that often turns into a lifelong journey of discovery. From places, materials, techniques, style or programs, through our interview series we’ve uncovered individual stories that show the many facets of architecture. One of our focuses has been in Indonesia, where we’ve found a new generation of architects dealing with the challenges of one of the world’s largest countries, driving innovation connected to an ever present nature and particular culture.

Reading a book is commonly seen as an individual activity, yet libraries have evolved to offer more than just book-lending services in the digital age. Public libraries have transformed into contemporary community centers, offering various social engagement opportunities while utilizing minimal urban space. Emphasizing the importance of building a sense of community, these institutions prioritize connecting individuals with common interests.

The opening scenes of the award-winning Brazilian film "City of God" (2002) portray a newly constructed housing complex situated on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. Subsequently, this complex evolves into a hub of poverty and violence. Despite the film being set in the 1960s, the housing development depicted was a recent construction.

Long celebrated as havens of relaxation and luxury, resorts offer guests an escape from the mundanity of daily life. These sanctuaries seek to offer lavish accommodations, scenic locations, and comprehensive experiences. From sun-drenched beaches to mountain retreats, or secluded spots in the wilderness, resorts can take a variety of forms, each offering a unique experience. The history of architects designing resorts is intertwined with the development of the hospitality industry and the concept of leisure travel. In the realm of architecture, resorts allow designers to meld functionality with luxury living, creating spaces that offer experiences beyond just residences.

Environmental comfort is one of the aspects that contribute to the good performance of architecture. In project descriptions, the incidence of natural lighting and ventilation is often highlighted as advantageous characteristics that add to the aesthetics and functioning of the program. In a way, environmental comfort is part of the building's function, not necessarily linked to the activities that take place inside the construction but plays a role in its development.

The Indonesian parliament has approved a bill to relocate the capital from the city of Jakarta to a completely new city to be built on the island of Borneo, 1,300 kilometers from the current capital. The decision, first announced in 2019, comes as a reaction to the myriad of challenges faced by Jakarta, including pollution, traffic congestion, and, perhaps the most threatening, rising sea waters. As a consequence of excessive groundwater extraction, rapid urbanization, and rising sea levels, 40% of the city is currently below sea level, making it increasingly difficult for the infrastructure to protect the residents. President Joko Widodo proposes an alternative: relocating the administrative center of the country to a new green metropolis, to be named Nunsantara, meaning ‘archipelago’ in ancient Javanese.

The relocation of a capital city is a complex urban decision with various dimensions and consequences for both the old and new capital. It can be driven by political, economic, societal, and other factors, and has urban and architectural implications for residents. These include factors such as location, planning, building design, the purpose of the old capital, climatic conditions, and separating the political/administrative hubs from cultural and economic cities.