Architecture Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing Architecture Theses and Dissertations by Subject "Balinese Architecture"

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    Traditional Principles in the Urban Vernacular Environment: Study of Persistence and Erasures of Belief System’s Architectural Expressions in Denpasar-Bali, Indonesia
    (University of Oregon, 2024-08-07) Wicaksono, Dimas; Davis, Howard
    In this dissertation, I embark on an exploratory journey to unravel the relationship between the belief systems of urban communities and the physical spaces they inhabit. Central to this investigation is the idea that our built environment and social fabric are inextricably linked, particularly evident when rural traditions encounter the complexities of urban life. The research is driven by curiosity about how traditional values, born in the expansive settings of rural-agricultural settings, are reimagined within the dense confines of urban areas. The study provides a meticulous analysis, comparing and contrasting the cultural practices of Bali’s rural-agricultural regions with those of its urban areas. It observes the set of differences and similarities of practices in both places and the ways in which people change those practices for survival or transfer of traditional religious values.The investigation operates under three hypotheses: firstly, that religious traditions are resilient and find expression in the vernacular architecture; secondly, that with increasing spatial constraints, some traditional religious architectural features may be sacrificed; thirdly, there is an implicit consensus about the sufficiency of a belief system's architectural manifestations across different densities, which is crucial in refining the contextual design approach. Employing a multi-sited ethnographic approach, the study explores two rural areas in Bali and traces their architectural evolution in the urban context of Denpasar city. By comparing architectural adaptations across different genealogical groups, the research aims to offer deeper insight into the spatial practices of religious communities within dense urban environments. The dissertation contends that examining the architectural expressions of vernacular houses – both traditional and modern, rural and urban – unveils how they accommodate the evolving identity struggles within Balinese society. The tacit consensus on the adequacy of the belief system’s spatial manifestations at varying density levels also reveals patterns that reflect not only the persistence of religious architectural expressions but also their resilience against spatial constraints. This enduring nature of spatial practices is posited as a key consideration for future designs and developments, enriching our understanding of the spatial dynamics of religious tradition, which is vital for spiritual identity and communal development in an increasingly diverse post-secular society. This dissertation includes previously published coauthored material.