COMPARISON BETWEEN TRADITIONAL JAVANESE ROOM ARRANGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVE HOUSES ROOM ARRANGEMENTS IN KAUMAN, PEKALONGAN – CENTRAL JAVA

Abstract

House is a basic need for every human being besides food and clothing. A house itself is physically formed by a cluster of rooms, arranged according to the activities zones in it (such as public zone, semi-public zone, private zone and service zone). Social, economic and cultural conditions bring about changes in residential houses from time to time. Indonesia, a country of 33 provinces and lots of cultural heritages, has many different traditional houses. Each traditional house has its own unique characteristics. Pekalongan is a city located on the North Coast of Java Island, Central Java province. It is 108 years old and is known as Batik Town. Kauman is one area in Pekalongan that is officially designated as Batik Tourism village, since the locals of Kauman have been Batik artisans for many generations. The residential area in Kauman (which has dual functions: for residential purpose and business purpose) is observed and evaluated. From the evaluation the comparison of room arrangements between the original Javanese traditional house and the productive houses of Kauman is visible. The focus of this study is on houses that have the dual functions, both as a place of residence and as a place of business (usually termed “productive house”). The comparison of room arrangements is observed through direct observation and visual recording of Kauman, Pekalongan. This is a qualitative study. Data from observation is primary data, which is later evaluated based on Pekalongan Javanese traditional house philosophy. The result of the evaluation is in the form of description. Further research may use this study as a reference.