LASEM LANTERN: ADAPTIVE REUSE OF HISTORICAL WALLED HOUSE IN THE EARLY CHINESE SETTLEMENT OF LASEM AS AN INTRODUCTION OF LIVING MUSEUM

• Main Author: Jessica Cungwin, Ardelia
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Arsitektur
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/52053
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Lasem, a district in Central Java, is known as Petit Chinois. This is due to the large number of Chinese cultures that exist in this sub-district, from architecture to religious rituals which are still carried out by local residents. Formerly a glorious city, Lasem has strong cultural acculturation, starting from its architectural style, the blend of flavors in local culinary and local products, to its multi-ethnic harmonic living. The three of them are related to each other, because most of the local products are the result of home industry production contained in cultural heritage buildings, and are managed by Peranakan descendants. The concept of a living museum really depicts Lasem as a small town with various kinds of heritage knots spread across its plains. However, the first residential area which became the origin of the development of the city of Lasem, is less appreciated by its function which is now used as a swallow farm. This area still has architectural elements that are strongly influenced by Chinese architecture, the country of origin of the first settlers who became an important acculturation component in Lasem. Still oriented to the Babagan Lasem River, which used to be the main transportation route, this more than 500 years old area has a story that has led to various acculturations and cultural assimilation in Lasem. Therefore, it is necessary to make mature conservation efforts in the early settlements area, as one of the important nodes in Lasem. By conducting literature studies, observations and interviews, the author collect the necessary data related to Lasem, then conduct an analysis in different scales: macro (Kota Pusaka Lasem), meso (Chinese segment) and micro (selected sites). From the results of the macro and meso analysis, the Lentera Lasem concept was introduced. The lantern is a tribute, guide, and hope, in the development of a site strategy as one of the nodes of the unity of the Lasem Heritage City Area. This concept is the main basis for any design decision. Through the reuse of cultural heritage buildings and reactivation of the area into a place for activities that can support economic activities, social needs and cultural sustainability for the community, a more sustainable tourism will be created for Lasem as an integrated living museum. The main design issue is the value of abandoned heritage, which in this case is categorized into two main aspects, namely the history of the site as the first settlement and important architectural elements of the heritage. Another problem is how to maintain the heritage value that will soon be revived, namely by increasing the activities in it, especially socio-economic development which can also improve cultural functions. These three main problems are handled by three different methods, 1) restoration of old elements, 2) collaboration between old and new elements, and 3) amplification of old elements by adding new elements. Of the three design problems and the three methods, each is paired and forms 9 unique design solutions. From the analysis of the history of the development of early settlements, the typology of houses in Lasem, and the existing buildings on the site, each solution is specific to this site. In order to add value to the site and increase integration with other cultural points in Lasem, one of Lasem's endangered cultural products was chosen to be the main theme of the introductory facility for this living museum area, namely batik. Batik Tiga Negeri, one of Lasem's signature products, has cultural values, even at the international level. The manufacturing process involved various elements of an endangered cultural heritage, namely the aging artists and building houses influenced by Chinese architecture. Batik Tiga Negeri is Lasem's signature intangible legacy that is endangered: old artists and buildings influenced by traditional Chinese architecture are used as production houses. By incorporating the value of batik into some of the 9 reuse solutions for early residential buildings - which also originate from traditional Chinese housing, this will strengthen the most historic knots while preserving important heritage elements, adding to a stronger bond throughout Lasem as a living museum and tourist destination.