The meaning of spaces in the development of Karo Architecture (case study: shop houses)

Abstract

This article examines the development of Karo architecture in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Karo Architecture is one of the architectures which still survive with a complete footprint and its existence can be traced. The postmodern era now, of course, influences by the development of this architecture. The benefits of local wisdom are explored by examining the existence of abstract and concrete spaces in Karo traditional architecture. For this reason, the article aims to look at the development of the existence of Karo architecture in its abstract and concrete spaces. The objects of research are Karo traditional buildings and shop houses located in Karo Regency and its surroundings. The method used is the descriptive qualitative approach to describe the facts in the field and examine them with the theory used. The result is that existing spaces are the results of culture from generation to generation that produces meaning according to their needs or Karo’s contemporary culture can adapt shop house.