How to cite:
Adi Heriyanto, et al (2025). Expression of Neo-Vernacular Architectural
Concept in Recreational Commercial Building (Study Case: Tip, Hotel And
Resort, Actic). Journal Eduvest. 5(3), 2635-2652
E-ISSN:
2775-3727
Eduvest Journal of Universal Studies
Volume 5 Number 3, March, 2025
p- ISSN 2775-3735- e-ISSN 2775-3727
EXPRESSION OF NEO-VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURAL
CONCEPT IN RECREATIONAL COMMERCIAL BUILDING
(Study Case: TIP, Hotel and Resort, ACTIC)
Adi Heriyanto¹, Gagoek Hardiman², R. Siti Rukayah³
Universitas Diponegoro Semarang, Indonesia
1,2,3
Email: ardikonartistika@gmail.com¹, ggkhar@yahoo.de
2
, sitirukayah.tutut@gmail.com³
ABSTRACT
Neo-vernacular architecture is a postmodern architectural style that is a
combination of two different concepts, namely modern and vernacular architecture
to express a more contemporary vernacular architecture. Recreational commercial
buildings are buildings used for business or recreational commercial activities that
are usually uniquely designed to be attractive and comfortable for visitors who apply
the expression of neo-vernacular architectural concepts in their design. This
research aims to find out the character of neo-vernacular architecture in
recreational commercial buildings and how it is applied so that it can be used as a
reference for the community or the government in designing recreational
commercial buildings with this concept. This study uses a qualitative descriptive
method that is expected to describe the character of neo-vernacular architecture
and its application to buildings. The research locations include the Semarang-
Surabaya toll road, namely Pendopo kilometers four, five, six, Salatiga, ono joglo
and Jepara resorts, as well as the Asasuka Japan Tourist Information Center. The
analysis in this study uses neo-vernacular architectural theory. The results of this
study conclude that the expression of the neo-vernacular architectural concept in
the three case studies of recreational commercial buildings appears to be very
strong in the design of the roof shape that adopts local icons (vernacular) of ridge
roof types such as joglo, limasan, saddle, baked pe.
KEYWORDS
Architecture, Neo-vernacular, Commercial Buildings
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
Eduvest Journal of Universal Studies
Volume 5, Number 3, March, 2025
Expression of Neo-Vernacular Architectural Concept in Recreational Commercial
Building (Study Case: Tip, Hotel And Resort, Actic) 2636
INTRODUCTION
This paper will discuss the expression of neo vernacular architectural
concepts in recreational commercial buildings that apply the style in design,
through the following 3 (three) buildings: (1) Rest and service area abbreviated as
TIP Pendopo KM 456 Salatiga located on the Semarang-Surabaya toll road. (2)
Resort and Hotel Ono Joglo Jepara located at Tirta Samudera Beach Bandengan
Jepara. (3) Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center abbreviated as ACTIC
Japan.
Experience is the best teacher is a wise philosophy from our predecessors.
This advice can also be adapted in the field of architectural design in the context of
designing architectural designs by examining the appearance of existing buildings,
through the expression of neo-vernacular architectural concepts in these buildings.
To examine the expression of the concept in question, we must understand the
meaning of vernacular architecture. The understanding of vernacular architecture
according to Nuryanto (2019), explains that in the view of architectural theorists it
still causes differences in understanding and can be debated. The debate about
vernacular architecture was started by Rapoport in his book House Form and
Culture (1969). This debate continued until 1990, when Rapoport wrote the article
“Defining Vernacular Design” and until now the debate has not been satisfactory.
The definition is still limited to categorization in the realm of architecture and
it was only in the 1970s that vernacular matters began to be considered as part of
architectural design. There are many perspectives on the nature of the vernacular,
such as Cristopher Alexander (A Pattern Language), Howard Davis (The Culture
of Building), Robert Venturi (Learnig from Las Vegas), Hassan Fathy (Natural
Energy and Vernacular Architecture) and many more. Along with the development
of science and paradigms in several references mention the term vernacular to
understand the relationship with “locality”. Some of them are A building designed
by an amateur without any training in design, Related to their environmental
contexts and available resources they are customarily owner- or community-built,
utilizing traditional technologies (Nuryanto, 2019). Vernacular architecture is a
generalized way of design derived from folk architecture.
According to (Rangkuti, 2023) in his article commercial buildings are a type
of building designed and used for business or commercial purposes, such as
carrying out trade activities, services, or other economic activities. Commercial
buildings are generally intended to generate income or profit for their owners.
Types of commercial buildings can vary widely, ranging from small businesses
such as shops, cafes, and offices, to larger buildings such as shopping centers,
hotels, convention centers, high-rise office buildings, and so on. Commercial
buildings are usually uniquely designed to be attractive and comfortable for visitors.
Along with the development of science and technology that has an impact on
the mindset and lifestyle of humans so as to form a dynamic and adaptive
community culture, almost in all aspects of life including culture in architectural
design ranging from cities to villages and resulting in the degradation of local
architectural culture. This can be seen from the rapid growth of buildings with
modern concepts without considering the potential of local architectural culture.
The diversity of local architectural culture should be preserved through the works
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of architects in each design by implementing the concept of neo-vernacular
architecture.
The uniqueness of various vernacular architectural concepts can become a
local icon that cannot be found in other regions. The strength of local architectural
philosophy will provide added aesthetic value that cannot be obtained from
buildings with monotonous modern concepts (boxes). Cultural acculturation
between vernacular and modern architecture in the era of globalization should be
increasingly campaigned in every architectural work in the hope of introducing it
to the nation's next generation and preserving the values of local architectural
cultural wisdom and maintaining its existence (Saidi et al., 2019).
In the expression of neo-vernacular architectural concepts, there are
principles that can preserve the values of local cultural wisdom and need further
discussion to maintain traditional culture by applying neo-vernacular architectural
concepts. The following are the problems that will be discussed: (1) How does the
neo-vernacular architecture concept expression look like in the commercial case
study? (2) How does the space function and space relationship occur in the
commercial building case study that expresses the neo-vernacular architecture
concept?
The purpose of this research is to be able to explore in more detail about the
expression of neo vernacular architectural concepts in existing buildings. The
benefit of this research is that it can be used as a reference for designing and
expressing the concept in designing similar buildings, which still appear elegant,
contemporary but do not leave local cultural values.
The concept of neo vernacular architecture is a style that emerged in the Post
Modern era, which began in the mid-1960s, initiated by several architects including
Charles Jencks who criticized the dominating modern architecture. This was done
because architects wanted to provide an interesting new concept of modern
architecture that had monotonous forms (Saidi et al., 2019).
There are 6 (six) schools that emerged in the Post-Modern era according to
(Jencks, 1978), namely: Historicism, Straight Revivalism, Neo Vernacular,
Contextualism, Methapor and Post Modern Space. Furthermore, in his book
(Sukada, 1988) explains that in the Post Modern architecture era there are 6 (six)
styles, one of which is neo-vernacular architecture, which has 10 (ten) architectural
characteristics as follows: (1) Contains communicative elements that are local or
popular. (2) Revives historical memories. (3) Urban context. (4) Reapplying
ornamentation techniques. (5) Representational in nature. (6) Metaphorical (can
take the form of another). (7) Resulting from participation. (8) Reflects general
aspirations. (9) Plural in nature. (10) It is eclectic (Alia, 2016).
By applying at least six or seven of these characteristics, it can be said to be
post-modern architecture. The figure and architect who initiated the birth of the
genre Charles Jenks mentioned that there are three aspects that underlie the
emergence of the post-modern era (Prayogi et al., 2020), namely: (1) Life has
developed from a limited world to a borderless world, this is due to the speed of
communication and the high power of human imitation. (2) Advanced technology
produces products that are personal in nature. (3) There is a tendency to return to
traditional or regional values, a human tendency to look back (Nisa, 2021).
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Expression of Neo-Vernacular Architectural Concept in Recreational Commercial
Building (Study Case: Tip, Hotel And Resort, Actic) 2638
Based on the three reasons above, it can be concluded that post-modern
architecture and the architectural genre within it is architecture that applies the
concept of vernacular architecture with modern architecture so that the concept
becomes a unity to criticize modern architectural forms. In its development,
vernacular and traditional architectural forms are very different from the
monotonous forms of modern architecture. To synergize the different forms of
vernacular and modern architecture requires research and creativity in design.
RESEARCH METHODS
How is research conducted? This question has a meaning whose answer is
none other than the types of research methods, or types of research in terms of their
methods. According to KBBI, research is the activity of collecting data, processing,
analyzing, and presenting data systematically and objectively to solve a problem or
test a hypothesis to develop general principles. According to (Arikunto, 2019) in
his book, it is outlined that researchers can conduct research that is passive in nature
on an object to the type of research that requires researchers to do something. From
this review, there are 3 (three) ways of research conducted, namely (1) descriptive
research, (2) action research, and (3) experiments. The research method used in the
study of neo vernacular architectural expression is the descriptive method, which is
the simplest research method, because in this research the researcher does not do
anything to the object under study (Arikunto, 2010). Descriptive research is
research intended to investigate circumstances, conditions, or other things that have
been mentioned, the results of which are presented in the form of a research report.
This descriptive research is research that really only describes what is found or
occurs in a particular scene, field, or area. The collected data is classified or grouped
according to its type, nature, or condition. After the data is complete, then
conclusions are made.
The steps taken in this research are collecting the data needed by determining
architectural precedents, field surveys, observing photos from the internet media,
reviewing literature, conducting a study of neo vernacular architecture theory,
analyzing the data obtained with neo-vernacular architecture theory and drawing
conclusions.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The first case study is a commercial building that expresses a modern look
but impressed by local cultureis, which is a Rest and Service Area (hereinafter TIP),
namely Pendopo KM 456 Salatiga, which functions as toll road infrastructure
located on the Trans Java Semarang-Solo-Surabaya Toll Road. Facilities provided
include a parking lot, management office, retail and minimarket, MSME kiosk,
place of worship, self-checkout counter, station, public refueling public toilet and
sky bridge.
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Figure 1. TIP Pendopo 456 Salatigabuilding of
Source: (Nisa, 2021)
The TIP building project land is a polygon-shaped paddy field with an area
of about 3.3 hectares divided into two fields by the Semarang-Solo-Surabaya two-
way toll road. visitors while still paying attention to open space and the environment
as a binding building and outdoor space. The land use as shown in the figure shows
a lot of building mass, both horizontally and vertically, which serves the needs of
managers and
The orientation and massing of the TIP building facing the parking lot is
shown in Figure 2A. In Figure 2B, the TIP building block A and block B layout
takes into account the shape of the available land plot which is divided by the toll
road into two parts. The western and eastern boundaries consist of three main
building masses arranged parallel to the western and eastern site boundaries, then
there is a repetition of the shape of the building mass field parallel to the parking
lot layout to the slow lane road connecting the toll road.
Figure 2. Orientation, Massing and Zoning of TIP Pendopo 456 Salatiga
Source: Author's Personal Analysis, 2024
Public
e
B
A
Block B
Block A
Block A
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Expression of Neo-Vernacular Architectural Concept in Recreational Commercial
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The zoning of the building mass between blocks A and B in Figure 2B pays
attention to the shape of the site and the environment around the building which is
cut off by the toll road and connected with a supporting building in the form of a
sky bridge that represents unity. The A and B Consists of open space that functions
as parking, parkspublic zone is located at the front as access vehicle from the toll
road both blocks, vehicle circulation or pedestrian and at the same time as a function
as a binder for the main and supporting buildings and rainwater catchment. The
Semi Zone Public is located in the inner part connected to the ZonePublic, which
functions as the main building including retail / minimarket, UMKM, management
office, place of worship, and others. The is located at the deepest part of the site,
connected to the Private Zone semi-public zone and public zone, which functions
as a supporting, complementarybuilding, service and storage.
The appearance of the roof of the building as shown in Figure 3A, visible
from the courtyard displays a modern concept and applies a local icon (Javanese
towering ridge roof) by applying a diversity of shapes, materials, colors and textures
that have the philosophy of anatomy of the human body including the thelower part
(foundation, feet, floor), the middle part (body, walls) and the upper part (ceiling,
head, ) and roof shapeblends with the location and environment.
Figure 3. TIP Building Envelope View
Source: Ahmad Antoni, 2022
The lower part of the building in Figure 3A as (foundation, foot) uses a
modern two-story building structure in the form of split stone foundations and piles,
sloof beams and applies a variety of natural building such as split stone, muntilan
sand, kricak, bamboo and modern (manufactured) including concrete iron, pc
cement. Meanwhile, the floor of the building applies fabricated materials in the
form of a type of granite/ceramic floor materials with batik ornamentation as well
as natural textures in the form of wood and stone fibers and wooden furniture as
shown in Figures 3C and 4A.
A
B
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Figure 4. Central Building Envelope (body/wall)
Source: Jeprima, 2022
The middle part (body/wall) in Figure 4 uses a modern structure in the form
of IWF steel columns and beams with wall coverings in the form of walls, caliboard
partitions and wood and batik motif HPL coatings, glass pane iron frame fences and
wooden relling, with window openings. Applying a variety of natural building
materials such as muntilan sand, kricak, woven bamboo on the shading, wood for
the railing and manufacturing including lightweight bricks, kalsiboard, hollow iron,
concrete iron, pc cement, glass, aluminum.
The upper envelope (ceiling, head/roof cover) in Figure 5 A uses modern roof
truss structures such as IWF steel, cnp and galvanized hollow iron. Diverse building
materials are used, such as natural materials in the ceiling coverings, light houses
and corridor shading with woven bamboo.
Manufactured materials are also applied to the roof covering using a sand
texture brown spandex roof, tempered glass roof for sky light. The modern and
attractive design is the strength of the commercial building, blending with the iconic
roof design of local culture in Figure 5 B, which consists of a joglo roof of 5 (five),
the philosophy of five volcanoes around the location, pyramid roof, gable roof and
panggang pe roof (one slope).
Figure 5. Ceiling Top Sheathing, IWF Steel Easel, and Roof Shape Diversity
Source: Ahmad Antoni, 2022 and Ainur Mufid, 2022
B
A
A
B
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Expression of Neo-Vernacular Architectural Concept in Recreational Commercial
Building (Study Case: Tip, Hotel And Resort, Actic) 2642
The design of colors contrasting that become one unit consists of the brown
color as shown in Figures 5 B and 6 which is dominant on the roof covering, the
green color from the natural environment, the light gray color from the wall and the
dark gray from the parking lot and toll road, and the silver color as a reinforcement
of the sky bridge roof appearance.
Figure 6. Application of Color to the Building Envelope of the TIP and the
Environment
Source: Author's Personal Analysis, 2024
Circulation in the TIP building Figure 5B consists of horizontal and vertical
circulation that accommodates all the needs of visitors and managers. Horizontal
circulation includes open space consisting of bus and truck parking lots, small car
parking (private), pedestrian corridors. Vertical circulation consists of a staircase
area, a disability-friendly ramp and serves as a guide for visitors to look around the
available facilities and a panoramic elevator (glass wall) so they can enjoy the
beautiful natural surroundings complex.
Based on the identification results and when discussed based on the theory of
post modern (neo vernacular) architecture according to (Budi A Sukada, 1988)
through its characteristics, it can be said that the TIP building has a neo vernacular
architectural concept because it fulfills the following 6 (six) characteristics: (1)
Representing a communicative form that is local or popular, with the application of
vernacular roof forms with modern materials and technology on the roof sheathing
of joglo houses, limasan, saddle, panggang pe with a function as a commercial
building (different from the original), application of batik ornaments, natural motifs
of wood planks on granite floors, application of woven bamboo on the ceiling, sun
shading, wood on the fence relling, paying attention to the place and environment.
(2) Presenting memories of the past (history), with the application of local forms,
materials and technology (woven bamboo). Forms of local identity, modern
materials and technology through elements of spandex roof sheathing, wood motif
hpl coated walls and batik and wood motif granite floors. (3) Urban representation
or suitable for big cities, with the use of modern materials and technology such as
acian plaster walls, glass on fence panel walls and roof coverings, gypsum, ACP,
holo iron and aluminum frames for walls / openings, fabricated roof coverings in
the form of brown spandex material, application of fabricated materials on building
floors such as granite and ceramic materials, columns and roof trusses, hollow iron
materials for fences, canopies, grill ornaments, lighting / decorative applications.
(4) Be diverse or plural, with a synergy of forms, traditional materials, fabrication
and modern technology, combining different functions in one area. (5). Reapplying
gray
and old
Brown roof
Silver Sky bridge
Green
environmen
t
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ornamentation techniques, with the application of local batik ornaments, wooden
plank motifs, natural stone motifs on almost all floors of the building. (6) The form
is metaphoric (can mean another form), with the application of 5 (five) joglo-shaped
roofs that represent the number of mountains around the site and its environment.
The second case study is a commercial building that expresses a modern look
but local Javanese and Balinese impressions, Hotel Ono Joglo Resort and
Convention which functions as a hotel, resort and hall that has various facilities that
support tourism and meetings located in Jepara precisely located on the shores of
Bandengan Beach, about 6.5 km or 15 minutes drive from Jepara city center.
Figure 7. Situation of Ono Joglo Resort and Convention Hotel
Source: Author's Personal Analysis, 2024
Figure 7 shows that the project site is a plot of paddy land in the shape of a
polygon like the letter L with an area of about 1.9 hectares. The use of the location
shows a lot of building mass in one area that serves the needs of managers and
visitors while still paying attention to open space and the environment.
The orientation and massing of the building facing the parking lot is shown
in Figure 8 A. The layout is adaptive to the site, which is located next to the
neighborhood leading to Tirta Samudera beach in Bandengan Jepararoad. The
western boundary is boundary is rice fields. The southern boundary is the
neighborhood road and the northern boundary is rice fields. the neighborhood road
and the eastern. The main building mass is arranged parallel to the line of the
neighborhood road as an imaginary line, then there is a repetition of the shape of
the building mass plane building massesparallel to the layout of other.
A. Neighborhood Road
B. Main Gate
C. Parking Lot
D. Joglo Receptionist
E. Hotel
F. Dining Room
G. Meeting Room
H. Cafes and Resto
I. Convention Hall
J. Joglo Resort
K. Musholla
L. Garden and Pond
M. Taman Resort
N. Bandengan Beach
O. Boat Village
P. Rice fields
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Expression of Neo-Vernacular Architectural Concept in Recreational Commercial
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Figure 8. Zoning (A), Diversity of Roof Forms and Open Space (B)
Source: Author's Personal Analysis, 2024
Note Figure 8 A, the public zone is located at the front near the vehicle
circulation from the neighborhood road (Red dotted arrow line). Consists of open
space that functions as a parking space, garden (fresh area), the main gate for
circulation in and out of vehicles and pedestrians and has a function as rainwater
absorption and binding of the main building and its environment. The semi-public
zone is located in the inner part connected to the public zone, which functions as
the main building including hotel and resort buildings and open spaces functioning
as gardens and circulation paths, ponds, places to eat, places of worship, and others.
The private zone is located at the deepest part of the site, connected to the semi-
public zone and public zone, which functions as supporting buildings such as halls,
restaurant cafes, complementary, service and storage.
The view of the building from the top of Figure 8 B, shows the diversity of
the roof forms of joglo, pyramid, saddle, panggang pe and is united with open
spaces in the form of parks, ponds, corridors that display a modern concept.
Applying Javanese local culture with a variety of materials, colors and textures that
have the philosophy of the anatomy of the human body including from the bottom
(foundation / feet / floor), the middle (body / walls) and the top (ceiling / head / roof
shape) and blends with the location and environment.
Figure 9. (A) Reception Room Bottom (foundation/foot/floor), View (B) Open
Space Floor
Source: Author's Personal Analysis, 2024
Public Zone
Semi Public
Private
Zone
A
B
A
B
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Figure 9 A is a reception room that applies a joglo house building with four
soko guru (main columns), the bottom of the building (foundation/foot) uses a
modern structure in the form of a split stone foundation, sloof and applies a variety
of natural and modern building. Natural materials such as split stone, muntilan sand,
kricak, bamboo and modern (manufactured) include concrete iron, pc cement.
While on the floor of the building in Figure 9 A and B, natural materials such as
marble and fabricated stone are applied with granite/ceramic type floors
materialswith ornamentationnatural stone texture, wood fiber, paving blocks,
terracotta floors and using wooden furniture.
Figure 10. View of Hotel Hallway (A), Open Space and Pool (B)
Source: Author's Personal Analysis, 2024
The center section (body/wall) in Figure 10 A is a hotel building using
modern structures and materials in the form of reinforced concrete columns and
beams with wall coverings in the form of brick walls with acian plaster and wall
paint. The terrace fence on the second floor uses teak wood (natural), the terrace
column is covered with terracotta material, the terrace partition uses exposed brick,
wooden granite motis floor, caliboard ceiling, with teak wood and glass window
openings. Figure 10 B shows an open space in the form of a garden with modern
and traditional concepts, a swimming pool equipped with a relaxing space in the
form of a joglo house with a background of exposed brick fences and hotel buildings
with pyramid roofs and dining room buildings with joglo roofs.
A
B
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Building (Study Case: Tip, Hotel And Resort, Actic) 2646
Figure 11. Building envelope at the center (body/wall)
Source: Tiket.Com, 2024
Figure 11 A and B are buildings joglo functioning as reception rooms, which
stand on modern foundations using a structure of columns, beams, walls, openings,
ceilings, roof trusses, usuk and reng from natural teak wood. The walls all use teak
wood boards and apply jepara carving ornaments to the front gebyok (main
entrance), except for the windows using clear glass panels for natural lighting.
In Figure 11 C is the fence and gate of the resort, which uses exposed brick
matrial and wooden doors and the gate floor uses red brick tiles. Figure 11 D shows
the building with a joglo roof with a tiled roof that functions as a dining room, walls
of usuk beam columns and teak wood battens with glass pane window openings,
and floors using granite wood motifs.
The design of colors contrasting that become one unit consists of brown as
shown in Figure 12 which is dominant in wood materials including columns, beams,
walls and furniture. The green color of grass, plant leaves from the garden and its
environment, the light gray color of the stone slab elements, the brick red color of
the fence walls and floors and roof tiles.
Figure 12. Color Application of Ono Joglo Resort Hotel Display
Source: Author's Personal Analysis, 2024
Brown (wood)
Red (Tile)
Green
(environment)
A
B
C
D
Gray (rockplate
)
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Building circulation consists of horizontal and vertical circulation that
accommodates all the needs of visitors and managers. Horizontal circulation
includes open space consisting of bus and truck parking lots, small car parking
(private), pedestrian corridors. While vertical circulation consists of stairs.
Based on the data analysis above and when discussed based on the theory of
postmodern (neo vernacular) architecture according to (Budi A Sukada, 1988)
through its characteristics, it can be said that the Ono Joglo Hotel and Resort
building has a neo-vernacular architectural concept because it fulfills 7 (seven)
physical or non-physical characteristics as follows: (1) Representing a
communicative form that is local or popular, with the application of vernacular roof
forms with local materials and local technology, modern materials and the latest
technology on the roof sheathing of joglo houses, pyramids, saddles, pe bake with
the function as a commercial hotel and resort building (different from the original),
application of carved ornaments, natural motifs of wood planks on granite floors,
application of teak wood planks in joglo buildings, wood on fence relling, paying
attention to the place and its environment. (2) Presenting memories of the past
(history), with the application of local forms, materials and technology (teak wood
on joglo house finish melamine, ceramic tile). Forms of local identity, modern
materials and technology through elements of spandek pyramid roof sheathing,
wood motif plywood walls and granite floors with batik and wood motifs. (3) Urban
representation or suitable for big cities, with the use of local materials and modern
technology, application of fabricated materials on building floors such as granite
and ceramic materials, columns and roof trusses. (4) Multifaceted or plural, with
synergy of forms, traditional materials, fabrication and modern technology,
combining different functions in one area. (5). Reapplying ornamentation
techniques, with the application of local ornamentation of Jepara carvings, wooden
plank motifs, natural stone motifs on almost all floors of the building. (6) The form
is metaphoric (can mean another form), with the application of joglo roof design
(tajug loro), limasan, saddle and panggang pe. (7) Representational (representing
the whole), the appearance of buildings and open spaces expresses vernacular in the
present.
When discussed with Charles Jenks' theory that post modern architecture is
characterized by: (1) Tends to be popular. (2) Pluralist. (3) Double coding style or
combining modern techniques with traditional architectural styles influenced by the
place and environment (Jencks, 1980) the Ono Joglo and Resort building can be
said to use the concept of neo vernacular.
The third case study is the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
building, hereafter referred to as ACTIC (Figure 13 A), which is a building with a
height of 39 m that has a function: tourism information center, exhibition, and
multipurpose building located in Asakusa Taito, Tokyo, Japan. The building
expresses elements of vernacular architecture (local machiya house), but seems to
be kekikinian by applying modern technology by adjusting the place and
environment. The concept is to collaborate two architectural styles including
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Expression of Neo-Vernacular Architectural Concept in Recreational Commercial
Building (Study Case: Tip, Hotel And Resort, Actic) 2648
elements of vernacular architecture with contemporary architecture and
construction using modern technology and local and fabricated materials (Lestari
& Tohjiwa, 2023).
Figure 13. ACTIC Japan (A) and Project Site (B)
Source: Takeshi Yamagishi, 2012 and Kohei, 2018
The project site shown in Figure 13 Bis a rectangular (square) urban plot of
land with an area of approximately 234 m2 by architect Kengo Kuma built in 2012.
One vertical is used to building mass serve the needs of managers and visitors while
taking into account the place and environment (there is the oldest cultural heritage
building in Tokyo, Sensoji Temple).
The orientation of the building faces two sides of the city highway, namely to
the north and to the west, while the south and east are bordered by other high-rise
buildings with a modern (contemporary) concept. The expression of the facade of
the ACTIC building visualizes a local vernacular house (machiya House), an
indigenous Japanese architectural style. Machiya is an indigenous Japanese urban
building that functions as a shophouse (house and shop). The adoption of
architectural elements found from Machiya House (Figure 14), includes the shape
of the roof, walls, floors that use local wood materials and combined with the
construction using technology and fabricated materials (modern).
Figure 14. Hiraya, Shimatoya, Sounikai, & Sankaidate
Source: Australian Design Review, 2022
A
B
Eduvest Journal of Universal Studies
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http://eduvest.greenvest.co.id
The building's wall envelope is formed from a wooden display consisting of
vertically arranged frames and infills (degoshi) with equal spacing so that they can
function as natural ventilation and natural light, as well as a facade (Koshi) made
of wooden lattices that are also lined up (Figure 15). The materials used in Machiya
vernacular buildings are predominantly local wood and bamboo matrials that are
applied to various functions of the building envelope including the lower part such
as the foundation and floor, the middle part such as the facade, columns, partitions,
ventilation and the roof.
Figure 15: Materials used by Machiya House
Source: (Alia, 2016)
The application of the above vernacular architectural elements in the
appearance of the ACTIC building is expressed in the facade that adopts the
Machiya building which emphasizes the use of wood materials such as repetitive
vertical lattices that form a vertical appearance (elevated). In addition to local
materials, it also uses fabricated (modern) materials on steel columns and beams,
glass material on the facade, and a combination of bamboo on the partition (Figure
16). So that it looks compact together in its place and environment along with
modern international style buildings (multi-storey).
Figure 16: Facade Expression of Combination of Wood, Glass and Materials
Source: Kohei, 2018
Eduvest Journal of Universal Studies
Volume 5, Number 3, March, 2025
Expression of Neo-Vernacular Architectural Concept in Recreational Commercial
Building (Study Case: Tip, Hotel And Resort, Actic) 2650
The ACTIC building has a total of 8 (eight) floors that are used as different
functions on each floor (Figure 17). The ACTIC building is designed to serve the
activities of visitors, both local and foreign tourists. It functions as a tourism and
cultural information center, rental office, cinema, showroom, workshop,
multipurpose hall, meeting room, cafeteria and international currency exchange.
Figure 17. Use of Floor Space
Source: Kohei, 2018
The design of colors that are typical of traditional machiya houses is a strength
in itself, the brown color of wood as shown in Figure 18, which is dominant in wood
materials covering almost the entire building envelope, starting from the floor,
walls, columns, beams, ceilings and roofs as well as furniture.
Figure 18. Application of Color to Japanese ACTIC
Source: Author's Personal Analysis, 2024
Light (Brown
natural )wood
Steel Structure Finish,
Dark Brown Color
Eduvest Journal of Universal Studies
Volume 5, Number 3, March, 2025
http://eduvest.greenvest.co.id
Circulation in the building consists of horizontal and vertical circulation that
accommodates all the needs of visitors and managers. Horizontal circulation
includes open space in the form of a courtyard consisting of outdoor space or roads
while vertical circulation consists of stairs.
Based on the data analysis above and when discussed based on the theory of
postmodern (neo vernacular) architecture according to (Budi A Sukada, 1988)
through its characteristics, it can be said that the building has a neo-vernacular
architectural concept because it fulfills the following 7 (seven) physical
characteristics: (1) Representing a form that is communicative with local identity,
with the application of the vernacular form of the machiya house building, with
local materials of wood and local technology, modern materials and the latest
technology in the vertical building structure in the form of steel columns and beams,
adapting the place and environment. (2) Presenting memories of the past (history),
with the application of local forms, materials and technology (vertical exposed
wood on the appearance of melamine finish buildings), local identity forms, modern
materials and technology through machiya house roof sheathing elements, glass
walls enhanced with vertical exposed wood. (3) Urban representation or suitable
for big cities, by applying modern technology, fabricated material applications such
as glass and beam and column structures (vertical buildings) with a vernacular
impression. (4) Multifaceted or plural, with a synergy of form, materialstraditional,
fabrication and modern, combining different functions in one areatechnology. (5).
Reapplying the technique of ornamentation, with the application of local materials
of vertical exposed wood as a combination to enhance the appearance of the
building's expression. (6) The form is metaphoric (can mean another form), with
the application of 4 (four) machiya house forms vertically. (7) Representational in
nature, the appearance of the building and space expresses the vernacular machiya
house in the present (modern).
When discussed with theory Charles Jenks', which states that post modern
architecture is characterized by: (1) Tends to be popular, modern look with the
expression of machiya house building. (2) Pluralist, diverse forms (modern
vernacular impression), local and modern materials using modern technology. (3)
Double coding style or combining modern techniques with traditional machiya
architectural styles influenced by the place and environment, the Japanese ACTIC
building can be said to use the concept of neo vernacular.
CONCLUSION
Based on the analysis of the three case studies on the application of the neo-
vernacular architectural concept in recreational commercial buildings, it can be
concluded that this concept successfully combines modern architectural elements
with traditional features, creating a unique design rich in cultural values. The
buildings analyzedTIP Pendopo KM 456 Salatiga, Hotel Ono Joglo Resort, and
ACTIC Japandemonstrate how local cultural values can be preserved and
communicated through architectural forms, materials, and technologies. The
application of joglo roofs, pyramid roofs, and traditional batik and wood motifs
combined with modern materials and techniques reflects the pluralistic and
symbolic nature of post-modern architecture.
Eduvest Journal of Universal Studies
Volume 5, Number 3, March, 2025
Expression of Neo-Vernacular Architectural Concept in Recreational Commercial
Building (Study Case: Tip, Hotel And Resort, Actic) 2652
Furthermore, the neo-vernacular architecture in these commercial buildings
not only serves as a practical solution for modern commercial needs but also as a
means of cultural expression. By incorporating local architectural elements, these
buildings offer continuity, preserving traditional architectural wisdom while
adapting to the contemporary context. The application of this concept provides
architects with an opportunity to create meaningful connections between modern
design and traditional cultural elements, resulting in buildings that are not only
innovative but also respectful of local cultural contexts.
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