2020
For years of history in Indonesia, a
weaving technique has been utilised in numerous forms and purposes.
Dated back to even before the colonial era, local people in different
islands of Nusantara had shared similar weaving products in traditional
clothing, ornaments, as well as parts of their vernacular architecture.
Gedek, or woven bamboo sheets, for example, was an essential element to
many traditional houses—enveloping of the houses’ interior.
Since many people started to prefer better
enclosure with sturdier, more massive materials like brick or even
concrete for building walls, gedek has become less of an option. The
intricacy of the weaving process and the material durability itself also
hinder the widespread use. Not to mention the common perception of
using gedek, that is rural and unsophisticated. However, to Lim Masulin
of Wonders of Weaving, considering gedek as a promising alternative and
sustainable material for today’s architecture is not a farfetched idea.
Adaptability—believed to be one of the main
values of vernacular architecture—has inspired Lim, MODERNSPACE, and
Kayu Lapis Indonesia to present a pavilion as a reinterpretation of
gedek and its potential in ARCH:ID. Adopting the basic triangular of
many vernacular houses found in Indonesia, the architect utilised a
triangle structure as the main module. These structural frames were made
in repetition to create a triangular corridor that comprised two
levels. Between the frames, the pavilion displayed different
transparencies through varied materials, including plywood sheets and
gedek panels.
With only natural materials being used
prominently, the pavilion appeared monolithic and at the same time
captured both vernacular and contemporary qualities. At a glance, one
may not realise that the triangular frames are made of plywood
originated from meranti and keruing wood. These were made possible with
the present technology of producing structural grade plywood along with
Kayu Lapis Indonesia’s sustainable sourcing of timber.
Derived from the original pattern of gedek,
the weaving pattern of the gedek panels in this pavilion displayed
transparency to connect the inside and the outside space while also
being rigid enough to demarcate the two spaces. This feature has
demonstrated that the modified gedek panels have a good ventilation
property applicable for buildings in the tropics. The intricate woven
pattern furthermore suggests that aside from being functional, it could
as well highlight the process in creating the gedek panels and the
sustainability they represented. With Wonders of Weaving and BYO Living,
Lim initiated the movement of preserving and nurturing local weaving
craftsmanship. This process has generated master weavers and enabled a
community of skilled workers to create products that rival many current
materials in terms of functionality and aesthetics.
Through this installation, the presence of
the gedek went far beyond adapting the vernacular element and
replicating the value of tropical architecture. As a statement, the
weaving, and the whole pavilion of Reliving Gedek has shown the unique
potential and the progress of Indonesia’s local craftsmanship and
architecture along with its sustainable characters.
Source : https://www.archify.com/id/archifynow/reliving-gedek-a-contemporary-interpretation-of-local-craftsmanship
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