On (11/09), Vernadoc Indonesia collaborated with the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (DA FTUI), Syiah Kuala University, University of South Australia, and Bekasi Regency to hold a seminar entitled “The Role of Heritage Research and Documentation in the Preservation of Vernacular Architecture”, held at the Floating Hall of the UI Central Library from September 11-22, 2023.
This seminar is still a series of organizing Vernadoc Indonesia, which began with documenting objects in Aceh, Australia, and most recently in the Kranggan Bekasi Traditional House. This seminar was also accompanied by an exhibition of the results of the design drawings of the Vernadoc Indonesia Bekasi 2023 volunteers, featuring the documentation of vernacular architecture that shows the building of the Kranggan Bekasi Traditional House.
Speakers at the seminar included the Chairperson of Vernadoc Indonesia Bekasi 2023 who is also a Professor of the Department of Architecture at FTUI, Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, Ph.D., Assoc Professor Dr. Julie Nichols from the University of South Australia, Professor of the Department of Archaeology at FIB UI, Dr. Ali Akbar, S.S., M.Hum., and lecturers from the Department of Architecture at Syiah Kuala University.
In addition to the speakers, FTUI’s Manager of Cooperation, Alumni, and Ventures, Dr.-Ing. Ir. Dalhar Susanto, Head of the UI Science Techno Park Innovation Development Directorate (DISTP), Ahmad Gamal, Ph.D., Lurah Jatirangga, Ahmad Apandi, S.IP., community leaders of Kranggan Traditional Village, and participants from academics and students in the DA FTUI environment were also present.
“This moment is a form of vernacular architecture research that we have done. We invited 4 speakers who have high capabilities. Because this activity is a form of documenting heritage architecture, from local to global. This seminar was also accompanied by an exhibition of our designs. Hopefully, this activity will continue to be a high spirit in collaborating in documenting the archipelago’s heritage buildings so that they can continue to be preserved and maintain their authenticity,” said Prof. Kemas.
FTUI’s Manager of Cooperation, Alumni, and Ventures, Dr.-Ing. Ir. Dalhar Susanto, representing the Dean of FTUI, also gave his remarks on the holding of this seminar “This activity was realized from a long process. Of course, this activity is a revitalization of traditional houses that have strong historical and cultural values. This activity is a form of FTUI’s commitment as the best engineering campus in Indonesia to organizing activities that are superior and have an impact in terms of preserving historical buildings. The collaboration of Vernadoc Indonesia, Syiah Kuala University, University of South Australia and FTUI is a collaboration that is extraordinary to have a good impact on the existence of historical buildings in the archipelago.”
Lurah Jatirangga, Ahmad Apandi, who was also present at this activity also gave his response that the organization of Vernadoc Indonesia in his village in July was a form of strong collaboration in advancing and preserving the historic buildings in Jatirangga. It is hoped that this heritage building can be recognized by many people not only locally but globally.
On a separate occasion, the Dean of FTUI, Prof. Dr. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU commented, “The Seminar and Exhibition of Vernacular Architecture Documentation Results is one of FTUI’s efforts to preserve and understand Indonesia’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. The collaboration with Vernadoc Indonesia in organizing this event is clear evidence of FTUI’s commitment to explore and promote the richness of Indonesian vernacular architecture. By understanding and nurturing this cultural heritage, we hope to inspire architecture students and professionals to create designs that are sustainable and rooted in local culture. We hope that this event will become a platform to share knowledge, ideas, and inspiration that can move the development of Indonesian architecture towards a better future.”
After a few remarks, the activity continued with a material presentation session from Assoc Professor of the University of South Australia, Dr. Julie Nichols, with the material Entwined Vernaculars: Heritages of Tolerances, Reconciliation, and Resistance, Professor of the Department of Archaeology FIB UI, Dr. Ali Akbar, S.S., M.Hum., with the material Prehistoric and Historic Settlements in Kranggan Village, Bekasi, Lecturer of the Department of Architecture Syiah Kuala University with the material Mapping Cultural Landscape: the Roles of Vernadoc Techniques in Digitizing Data or Rumoh Aceh, and Prof. Kemas with the material Some Reflections on Vernadoc Kranggan for Heritage Education and Conservation Purposes.
After some material was presented by the speakers, the activity continued with a discussion session, participants actively asked the speakers. It is hoped that through this activity it can be a place to add insight and a place to recognize historical buildings owned by Indonesia so that later there will be a sense of being able to maintain its existence so that it remains sustainable until whenever.
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Public Communication Bureau
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia