Indonesian Architecture

Ancient History

Influences: Geography, Geological, Climatic

• Malay Peninsula is bounded by Southern Thailand in the north and on the west and south by the Strait of Malacca which separate it from Sumatra, Java and the chain of Islands, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba and Timor.

• The four largest islands are Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi and Borneo

• North- Philippines • Active and extinct volcanoes- eruptions brought

down buildings • Equatorial, tropical climate, northeast and

southwest monsoons

Historical, Social

• Civilization in Java and Sumatra- Indian cultural and religious influence.

• Society was divided to court and peasantry

• Literature, architecture, sculpture- priorities of the court

• King Jayanaga-first important Indonesian kingdom

Architectural Character

• Dieng Palteau and Kedu Plain- Hindu Indonesian and Buddhist Indonesian features

• Solid stone walls, corbelled arches, with no load bearing columns- Borobudur, Prambanam complex.

• 5th-6th century- Influence of Gupta (Indian). A period of wide ranging movement in Buddhist art to the China seas

• 11th century- shift of power to East Java, lessening of Indian influence, increased evidence of the native Indian tradition.

• Timber,

The Stupa Of Barabodur

• 8th-9th century • Located on the Java plains with a smoking

volcano in the background • Architectural masterpiece of the Sailendra

dynasty • Supreme expression of Indonesian art • Shallow stone clad hill, symbolizing the world

mountain “Meru” of Indian cosmology. • 9 storeys leading to Nirvana, square in plan, stone

plinth foundation

The Stupa Of Borobodur

Borobudor

Traditional Dwelling

• Long house

• generally on stilts

• Often sheltering the whole clan

• Carved and decorated wooden pillars

• Best exemplified in the Menangkabao homes:

• Colored patterns of intertwined flowers in white, black, red

• Inward sloping ridge (saddle back) roofs with high gables

Temple Group at Panataram

• Hindu culture ( Madjapahit Dynasty)

• Siva Tjandi- interesting and the most well preserved

• Single cube-like cella, surmounting pyramid

• Now with Javanese treatment: large Kirtimukha masks over the doorways

The architecture of the chandi The building material of this candidosis is actually brick covered with stone. This building is located on a higher base , making it stronger and more elegant looks. The stairs entrance is located on the northwestern side. Above the basement there is a passageway to the actual candi runs. The roof consists of three floors and is decorated with small stupas ' s. There are currently 48 stupas to find. This building is 26.4 meters high.

Tjandi Bhima, Dieng

• 700ce

• One of the surviving smaller temples in Central Java

• Tjandi- sepulchral monuments

• Simple, single cella shrine

• Square in plan beneath a pyramid tower, entered by a prominent porch

Tjandi at Kalasan

• A Buddhist Shrine temple holding the ashes of Asailendra prince

• Greek cross plan

• Projecting wings side chapels

• With elaborate pediment with the Kirtimukha mask

• Indonesian style

At Prambanam

• Remarkable 150 shrines, most in ruins

• 2 tiered terrace, reflecting the decline in mahayana buddhism in the 9th and 10th century

• Siva Temple of Loro Djongrang ( c900), restored. Cruciform in plan, square base, 4 broad formal staircase, central cella, with fine sculpture ( 42 bas reliefs illustrating Ramayana)

Ruined and RestoredTemples of Prambanam

Ruins of Prambanam, Tjandi Sewoe