FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Balinese Architecture Overview And Design Philosophy

by: darrel bella
HOME DESIGNS

Balinese architecture is one of the most popular Asian tropical architectural styles, with a distinct flair for being in harmony
with nature. The style originates from the famous Indonesian island, Bali, frequently visited by many foreign tourists who are
attracted to the province’s culture, laid back way of life, and the amazing natural resources that abound.
Bali has been touted as the “island of the gods” because of its strong religious practice and with hundreds if not thousands of
temples that occupy the island. With miles and miles of beautiful beaches in Bali, picturesque mountains, and the quiet
countryside, the island has become one of the world’s top destinations and a major influence in the world of architecture and
design.
An Overview of Balinese Architecture
Balinese architecture is a vernacular style of architecture wherein designers use local materials to help construct buildings,
structures, and houses, as well as reflecting local tradition. It is a centuries-old style of design that’s heavily influenced by Bali’s
Hindu traditions, as well as ancient Javanese elements.

Materials commonly used in Balinese homes and buildings include thatch roofing, coconut wood, bamboo poles, teak wood,
stone, and bricks.

Balinese architecture has a distinct characteristic of traditional aesthetic principles, using the island’s ancient culture and artistry
in every design element of a structure.

Balinese Architecture and Its Uses Today

Many of Bali’s domestic homes and luxury villas use the distinct philosophies of Balinese architecture. Using nature at its best
to provide a man-made structure with a relaxed and tropical atmosphere, Bali homes and private resorts provide the perfect
dwellings that are in tune with the environment.

With the island becoming more and more popular as a top tourist destination in Asia, more establishments are offering private
luxury villas to compliment an exciting Balinese vacation. Private luxury villas in Bali using the distinct Balinese style
combined with modern elements have become a staple of architectural designs found on the island. Some of the popular luxury
villas that uses the Balinese architecture or a touch of it are Villa Ambra, Villa Hartland, and Villa Ketapang.
Despite the visible marriage of tradition and modernity in architecture in Bali homes and private villas, designers and builders
still place the distinct philosophies of Balinese architecture as the top priority.
The 7 Philosophies of Balinese Architecture
The philosophies of this architectural design revolve around Hinduism, spatial organization, and communal-based social
relationships. A Balinese-designed home or villa is built around these 7 philosophies:

1. Tri Hata Karana – Creating harmony and balance between the 3 elements of life – the atma or human, angga or nature, and
khaya or gods.
2. Tri Mandala – rules of space division and zoning
3. Sanga Mandala – also a set of rules of space division and zoning based on directions
4. Tri Angga – concept or hierarchy among different realms
5. Tri Loka – similar to Tri Annga but with different realms
6. Asta Kosala Kosali – 8 guidelines of architectural designs regarding symbols, shrines, stages, and measurement units
7. Arga Segara – sacred axis between mountain and sea
Using these philosophies, Balinese architecture focuses on 4 Strength Aspects, which are:

A Good Ventilation System – with Balinese homes and luxury villas, big windows are used to give full attention to air
circulation. A large free space between the roof and wall is also created.
A Strong Foundation – based on the Tri Loka philosophy, the human body is similar to a house – with a strong foundation,
such as the feet for humans, a house will have tremendous strength.
A Massive Yard – based on the concept of being in harmony with nature, a typical Balinese house or villa must have a yard for
which to commune with the natural surroundings.
A Guarding Wall – a high wall protects the home from public view, providing privacy and protection from other people, as
well as to ward off black magic and evil spirits from entering the property.
A Typical Balinese Home
Unlike most Western countries where there is one, single large house, a Balinese home is a compound of separate pavilions that
serve different functions. One pavilion houses the kitchen, while another houses the master bedroom, and another being the
family shrine, and so on. All these structures are connected through a series of gates.

A house also typically has a front open pavilion to welcome guests to the home. A Balinese home must also have a landscaped
garden with tropical decorative plants that merge the home with nature. However, the grounds are never heavily altered, and
designers always use the garden’s natural features to create their designs around them.

A typical feature of a Balinese garden is a floating pavilion surrounded by ponds packed with waterlilies, usually used for
meditation or relaxation purposes.

Balinese architecture provides a calm and relaxing atmosphere that forces you to reflect and be at one with the earth. With
design elements of plants, flowers, natural construction materials, and large open spaces, staying in a Balinese home or luxury
villa is the perfect way to unwind, contemplate, and truly enjoy mother nature.
The History of Traditional Architecture
Balinese

Bali is one province of Indonesia, wherein Bali famous of Unique Culture and variety of dances also performing arts,
carving and traditional panting, weaving and jewellery. Also Traditional Balinese Architecture so intricate, balanced
and has different colors in diversity of Indonesia Architecture.

Traditional Balinese Architecture is defined as the spatial structure of the container Balinese life that has
evolved from generation to generation with all the rules handed down from ancient times, to the development
ofone form of the physical characteristics revealed in palm; Asta Kosala-Kosali, Asta Patali and others, to
the adjustments by the undagi which is consistent with cues intended.

Below the list of important dates in the History of

Balinese Architecture from book of Made
Wijaya: "Balinese Architecture - Toward an
Encyclopedia", as follow:
1,700,000 B.C : "Java Man" first appears.
250,000 B.C : HOMO ERECTUS tribes settle in Bali - Hand adzes used to skin animals and he
timber. Dwellngs in caves and trees (for protection).
40,000 B.C : HOMO SAPIENS in Bali -- Primitive Dwellings.
20,000 B.C : First cave paintings in Sulawesi and Irian.
12,000 B.C : End last ice age; Bali no longer "Land" end from migrations from west.
4,000 B.C : Metal Age culture in Northern Thailand.
3,000 B.C : First migrations of Proto-malays to Bali.
1,000 B.C : Megalithic Age throughot Indonesia. Trade with China and India already
established.
500 B.C : Dong S' on bronze drums either manufactured in Bali and Java or traded
from China for spices. Dong S 'on era pavilion structures in Bali?
200 B.C : Start of highly sophisticated Indianian (Hindu & Buddhist) Kingdom
in S.E.A Javanese hill-tribe influence n Bali.
400 A.D : Srivijaya (Budha) Empire, centred in Palembang bu spreading as far as Thailand,
exerts strong influence on Balinese culture. Monks and teachers establish monasteries
and hermitages in Bali.

450 A.D : Date of earliest (discovered) scripted (Pallawa) antiquities, in Kutai Kalimantan and
Tarumanegara Kingdom of West Java.
670 A.D : Chinese scholar Yi-tsing visits "Budhhist" Bali.
778 A.D : Stupa, clay seals and "stone statues of a decidedly Indian character (Stutterheim)
used in courtly culture in Bali. Goa Gajah and hermitages at Tampaksiring possibly
possibly built.
800 A.D : Borobudur and Candi Prambanan built (Central Java).
900 A.D : Pura Besakih and Pura Tirta Empul founded; start of Hindu-Javanization of Bali
during the Mataram Empire. Political power in Java move East to Kediri/Daha.

Pura Besakih
989 A.D : Start of Warmadewa Dinasty in Bali. Balinese Prnce, Udayana marries with Java
princess, Mahenrdatta. Rule from Pejeng; increased Javanization of courthly ritual
and Architecture. Pura Tegeh Koripan: funeral statues of Udayana and evil Queen.
EMPU KUTURAN and EMPU BARDAH arrive in Padang Bai from East Java;
re-organize island basic architecture philosophies. Summit at Samuan Tiga.
1049 : Anak Wungsu (son of Udayana) takes over the rule of Bali: reciprocal political
cultural relations very close. Goa gajah annexed by royal baths.
1080 : Nine huge royal tombs at Gunug Kawi built. "ASTA KOSALA-KOSALI" Balinese
building bible written n Palm.
1284 : Kertanegara, King of E.Javanese Empire of Singasari, rules of Bali from Java. Balinese
religion takes "Bhairawa" (manisfestation of Siwa as "The terrible") orientation.
Foundation of PURA DALEM. KEBO EDAN Temple at Pejeng bilt: Balinese version
 SINGASARI magic temple.
1300 : Kebo Iwa, architect & minister of last Balinese ing, Beda Ulu, builds Yeh Puluh. King
as religious leader. (partly Hindu-ized), pays tribute to ancentor deities of village
temples - foundation of PURA PUSEH.

1343 : Beda Ulu depfeated by Gajah Mada, great general of Majapahit Empire; Sri Krsna
Kepakistan first vassal in Bali - progenitor of Balinese Ksatrya Dalem caste. Courtyard
architecture now flourishing.
1370 : Emperor's (DEWA AGUNG) court moves from Samprangan(Gianyar) to Gelgel
(Klungkung) - becomes great artistic centre. "Dukedoms" established throughout Bali.
1500 : Majapahit Empie in Java falls to Islam - thousands of Hindu priests, Princes, Artisans,
and solders flee to Bali. The Golden Age begins.
1550 : Batu Reggong inherits title of DEWA AGUNG : reigns in "undreamed of splendour
and autority". Dang Hyang Dwijendra (Niratha) arrives at Kerobokan, Kuta. from Java
and quickly sets to establishing his divine plan - architecture cultural, social, political
harnessing all the forces of the royal courts. SAD KAHYANGAN temples founded.
Balinese empire spreads to Lombok and Sumbawa.
1600 : Dwijendra achieves MOKSA at Uluwatu, leaving as his legacy a highly organized
classical architectural system.
1601 : First European influence of Balinese architecture: two members of de Houtman party
jump ship and set up house in Gelgel.
1650 : DEWA AGUNG's court moes to Klungkung - Kerta Gosa built. Start of era of Java-Bali
hostilities and intra-Bali courtly intrigues.
1700s : Era of major dissemination of court-style architecture throughout Bali as princedoms
and Brahman Palaces "mushroom" across the land. Old Bali retreats to the hills.
1800s : The century during which most of present-day villages, palaces and temples were
founded. The great palaces of Gianyar, Pemecutan (Denpasar), Karangasem, Lombok
(West/Balinese), Tabanan, Buleleng, Mengwi and Sukawati all rebuilt along classical
"Empire" lines; many with extravagant water gardens, follies & royal temple Villagers
follow suit, in their own way. Colonial Architecture influence seeps in, via Singaraja
to the East.
1846 : First Dutch Military expedition against Bali. Half a century later - after several horrific
 PUPUTAN battles - they ruled the Island.
1920s : Tourism begins. Road Singaraja-Denpasar completed; Nth. Bali (Modernist) influences
sweep in; the decline of classic Balinese architecture starts. Bali Hotel builts. King of
Karangasem introduce cement molds at his new palace and Tirta Gangga water garden.
1930 s : KREASI BARU school of Architecture starts with Walter Spies modified-Wantilan
house in Ubud. New Dutch-built roads break up traditional (archtectural) boundaries.
1945 : Indonesian Independence; Bali follows suit in adopting Art Deco as style of emerging
Nationalism Soekarno realigns city centres according to ancient Javanese principles of
City Planning (Cosmogeny).
1950s : I.T.B ranch-house and social realism schools. Istana Tampaksiring built. Balinese
Modernist (Facade Architecture) begins with DPR chambers in Denpasar.
1963 : Hotel Bali Beach built (war reparation gift from Japanese) tradition-defying precedent.
1970s : Tanjung Sari & Bali Oberoi built: traditionalism makes a brief but glorious comeback!!!
Bali Hyatt built: Hongkong butalism (but handsome) with trend-setting Lobby.
Expatriate building boom starts.
1800s : Jakarta mannerist (Balinese-ist) get all major commissions at Nusa Dua and elsewhere.
Cement pre-fab shrines and gates available at corner supermarket."Lucy in the sky with
diamonds" school now the norm not the exception. Alumunium cladding replaces the
palm trees. Dwijendra turn in grave.

BASIC CONCEPT

The Balinese cosmos it is perhaps best to first define the Balinese universe, BWANA AGUNG, and work
downwards. The universe (BWANA = World , AGUNG = Great) was born of the sound of creation:
AUM
A ANG DEWA BRAHMA - The Creator
U Ung DEWA WISNU - The preserver
M Mang DEWA CIWA - The destroyer / Resolver
TRI LOKA DIVISION
This holy trinity of 'Super-Dieties' (in a patheon of hundreds) rule over the three divisions of the BHAWA AGUNG
are TRI-LOKA, so the Human Body is divided into:
BUR (Head) The realm of the Gods.
BWAH (Body) The realm of the Humans.
SWAH (Feet) The realm of the Cohonian influences (Demons & Ground Spirits).

The Village is Split into three area, as:

Temples as God Habitat
Village as Human Habitat
Cemetery as Spirit Habitat

The House divided into three area, as:

Shrine as God Area
House Courtyard as Human Area
Teba as Rubbish Area

TRI ANGGA / Room Hierarchy

Tri Angga is one of part from Tri Hita Karana, (Atma, Angga dan Khaya). Tri Angga is system of divide zone or Plan
Area of Traditional Architecture Balinese.
Utama, the highest position, the head.
Madya, the middle position, body
Nista, The below position, dirty, low, feet.

Traditional Dimension Bali

In designing a traditional Balinese buildings, all shapes and sizes orgaan scale based on the human body. Known
for some of the names of traditional Balinese size dimensions are: Astha,
Tapak, Tapak Ngandang, Musti, Depa, Nyari, A Guli and many more. A building
design tradidsional Bali certainly must have noticedaspects of the environment or the culture.

Dimension of Traditional Bali Architecture

Every person and object within the stratum is rigidly placed accordin to the Hindu Lotus God as; North, South, East,
West and Centre (WISNU, BRAHMA, ISWARA, MAHADEWA and CIWA). whose aspects and attributes determine
the order of priorities: above and below, mountainswards and seawards, clockwise and anti-clockwise.

That's Protocol above gives rise to is a guidelines for

Traditional Architecture Balinese, for examples;
Traditional Balinese architecture has the basic concepts that affect the values of Interior. The basic concept
is:
* Concept of room hierarchy; Tri Loka atau Tri Angga
* Concept of cosmological orientation; Nawa Sanga atau Sanga Mandala
* Concept of cosmology balance; Manik Ring Cucupu
* Concept of proportion and human scale.
* Concept of court, Open Air.
* Concept of honesty materials building

There are three axes that are used to guide the buildings planning in Bali, called of Sanga Mandala is
composed of three axes, as such:
 * Cosmological Axes / Tri Loka; Bhur, Bhuwah dan Swah (hidrosfir, litosfir dan atmosfir)
* Religion Axes: kangin (Sunrise) dan kauh (Sunset)
* Natural Axes ; Kaja (Mountain) dan Kelod (Sea)

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

Traditional Bali House - Zoning

The Balinese House Plan in accordance with the concept of Tri Hita Karana. Orientation used to use the guidelines
as mentioned above.
 North-east corner is a sacred place, used as a place of worship, Pamerajan (as the family temple).
 South-western corner is the lowest point in the plan-home values, is the entrance to the house.
At the entrance (angkul-angkul) there is a wall called aling-aling, which not only serves as barrier a view inside
towards (to provide privacy), but also used as a repellent effects of evil / bad. This angkul-angkul have similar shape
as the main gate in a modern building, as entrance connecting between the outside area and inside area within the
building. In this section there Jineng building (granary) and paon (kitchen). There is a row of buildings - buildings
pole sangah bale, bale sikepat / semanggen and Umah meten. Three buildings (bale tiang sangah, bale sikepat,
bale sekenam) is an open building (without walls, with the basic building are form Bale frequently encountered in
general).
 Angkul-angkul
In the middle of residential building traditional Balinese, there Natah (court garden / yard) which is the center of
the house. Umah Meten for master bedroom, or a woman children room. Umah meten a building having fourwalls, in
accordance with the functions that require higher security than other rooms (where essential goods andvaluable). A
typical residential community in Bali, which usually have a barrier fence around the buildings /spaces mentioned
above.

In because customs are very strong at this Balinese architecture greatly affects their housing
development. Balinese traditional house is still applied to the progress of time the era of modernization can not
be grinding itaway, "The Local Government to Implement the Law on the establishment of buildings on the
island ofBali should apply their customary laws".