Spatial Concepts of Bali Indigenous Architecture

Abstract

According to Bali's historical development, it is known that the Balinese people began to settle in Bali around the 8thcentury.Duringthis period, the local culture and architecture rapidly emerged and became the milestone of Balinese architecture. The specific architecture and culture that represented this 8thcenturyperiodis referred as Bali Aga. The Bali Aga is actually a term used by authors to distinguish the early settlement in Bali from the period of 9–12 century AD with the latter periods. The research performed in Sidatapa village at Buleleng Regency, Bali, shows that ancient village in Bali represents a specific spatial concept that is distinct from villages in southern Bali.The Bali Aga, till today, act in accordance with rules based on their social belief system and the kinship system. In a variety of ways their settlement's design is adaptable to the geographical condition. The spatial structure of Bali Aga applies a vertical spatial concept called luan–teben (upper–lower). This concept practically worked as cosmological axes, such as the cardinal axis of kaja–kelod (north–south), top–down, inside–outside, kangin–kauh (east–west) and right–left. These axes were used as ordering devices that organized the layout of functions in Bali Aga settlement. The application of axes system creates architecture order that makes hierarchy of space, sets the orientation of the building and structures the layout of the buildings on the sites. The spatial concept of the Bali Aga architecture, which is based on the concept of luan-teben, is an expression of society's ability to adapt with their natural environmental conditions. These spatial concepts remain relevant with a few improvements. By studying the spatial concepts of Bali Aga architecture one can comprehend their understanding about types and characteristic of vernacular architecture in Bali. Therefore, this study is essential for further understanding of sustainable architecture.