Civil Engineering and Architecture Vol. 13(2), pp. 976 - 989
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130216
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An Architectural Study of Tall Buildings in Indonesia in Relation to Past Local Values: A Case Study of the Pre-Colonial and Post-Colonial Era

Rahadhian P. Herwindo ^*, Y. Basuki Dwisusanto , Enrico Nirwan Histanto
Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Parahyangan Catholic University, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

The tradition of constructing tall buildings in Indonesia has essentially existed since the pre-colonial era. This is evident in the form of Prambanan Temple and other temples from the era of Ancient Mataram. These tall structures were built not only with stone but also with wood. Buildings with layered wooden roofs are known as "Meru," and this type was widely developed during the Majapahit era after Ancient Mataram, with traces still visible today in temples (pura) in Bali. These tower structures are the result of the adaptation of past local elements, crafted with unique creativity, such as corbel tectonics. In pre-Ancient Mataram traditions, these towers can be linked to stone menhirs in the ancient Austronesian tradition. The phenomenon of constructing towers or tall structures with reference to ancient traditions continued in the post-colonial period, reflecting the Meru and temple (pre-colonial) concepts. This can be seen during the administrations of Sukarno, Suharto, and even to the present day. This study aims to examine the relationship between tall building architecture in the pre-colonial and post-colonial eras in relation to the development of local identity. The study uses a qualitative, descriptive-comparative, and historical approach. The findings show a persistence and distinct creativity in the use of local/past elements in the design of tall buildings, further indicating that the tradition of constructing tall structures has indeed been part of Indonesian architectural heritage since the pre-colonial era.

KEYWORDS
Local Tradition, Tall Buildings, Post-Colonial, Pre-Colonial

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Rahadhian P. Herwindo , Y. Basuki Dwisusanto , Enrico Nirwan Histanto , "An Architectural Study of Tall Buildings in Indonesia in Relation to Past Local Values: A Case Study of the Pre-Colonial and Post-Colonial Era," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 976 - 989, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130216.

(b). APA Format:
Rahadhian P. Herwindo , Y. Basuki Dwisusanto , Enrico Nirwan Histanto (2025). An Architectural Study of Tall Buildings in Indonesia in Relation to Past Local Values: A Case Study of the Pre-Colonial and Post-Colonial Era. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 13(2), 976 - 989. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130216.