WORMSEYE / AXONOMETRIC DRAWINGS
1 : 200 SCALED SITE MODEL
1 : 100 SCALED SECTIONAL MODEL, CLEAR ACRYLIC BASE
1 : 50 SCALED MODEL, STRATIFICATION MODULE
Architecture as an enabler - Reinstating the Alun alun with a defensive perimeter
During the 1950s and 60s, before Pasar Yaik was built, the alun alun west of Johar attracted many visitors who were seeking an Indonesian cultural experience within the free open lawn, where food and clothes were sold by local informal traders. This convivial atmosphere was lost when the government materialized Pasar Yaik as a permanent market.
The invasion of the alun alun was due to the encroachment of neighboring forces (Pasar Johar) - informal traders driven by commercialization, who created a demand for the expansion of Pasar Johar. This project aims to bring back the alun alun by liberating the former open space, while acknowledging and enabling the demand and need for micro-businesses ‘kios’ to cohabit. With the reinstatement of the alun alun, a defensive perimeter is then necessary to anchor the public commons while fending off any threats of encroachment.
During the 1950s and 60s, before Pasar Yaik was built, the alun alun west of Johar attracted many visitors who were seeking an Indonesian cultural experience within the free open lawn, where food and clothes were sold by local informal traders. This convivial atmosphere was lost when the government materialized Pasar Yaik as a permanent market.
The invasion of the alun alun was due to the encroachment of neighboring forces (Pasar Johar) - informal traders driven by commercialization, who created a demand for the expansion of Pasar Johar. This project aims to bring back the alun alun by liberating the former open space, while acknowledging and enabling the demand and need for micro-businesses ‘kios’ to cohabit. With the reinstatement of the alun alun, a defensive perimeter is then necessary to anchor the public commons while fending off any threats of encroachment.
A ‘Wakaf’ - bahasa for traditional rest house or hut is the cornerstone of the architecture. The pitched roof is a familiar shape to the Semarangian roofscape and is seen manifested all across the equatorial city. We start with intersecting 2 pitched roofs as a modern interpretation of the vernacular form. The scale of the roofs are referenced from the neighboring residential dwellings. We then link the modules forming a defensive perimeter along the boundary of the alun alun. Contrary to a wall, there is a duality in the band of wakafs which surrounds the alun alun protecting the public commons while inviting and enabling traditional functions to take place within. The market or Pasar is housed under the defensive perimeter of wakafs, while the alun alun remains as an open lawn.
Stratification of atmosphere - The defensive perimeter filters visitors through a series of stratified atmospheres that taper and sieve.
Stratification of atmosphere - The defensive perimeter filters visitors through a series of stratified atmospheres that taper and sieve.
The Pasar exists within the outermost band. Batik-embossed pitched ceilings, screened by a tessellated Cross-Lamintated Timber framed structure are finished in gold. It symbolizes the empowerment that is restored to the Semarangian people. An intermediate band is concealed behind the Pasar forcing wanderers to experience a stark contrast in atmosphere. From bustle to amble, from energetic to mellow. Those who seek and are determined to find the long forgotten alun alun will discover it by navigating through dark claustrophobia, before getting to the innermost band where scale is most intimate. Light spilling in from the alun alun, casting shadows of slats that stand between lawn and shelter alluding to trees around a traditional alun alun marking out the edges of the open free commons. National events, festivals and gathering can all occur within this sanctuary protected by a band of Wakafs.