Influence of inhabitant background on the physical changes of Banjarese houses: A case study in Kuin Utara settlement, Banjarmasin, Indonesia

• Main Authors: Meidwinna Vania Michiani, Junichiro Asano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2016-12-01
• Series: Frontiers of Architectural Research
• Subjects: Banjarese house; Vernacular house; House physical change; Inhabitant characteristics; Socio-culture and economy
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095263516300504

The disappearance of vernacular buildings is a common phenomenon worldwide and in Indonesia. The Banjarese house, a type of Indonesian vernacular architecture, is a typical riverside dwelling that shows the strong relationship between the river and the inhabitants. In view of the number of Banjarese houses facing degradation as a riverside type of vernacular architecture, a study is necessary. The characteristics of the inhabitants must be considered when observing the condition of the remaining houses. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influence of inhabitant background on the physical changes of Banjarese houses for future revitalization. A research was conducted in the embryo of Banjarmasin along the Kuin riverside settlement in Kuin Utara sub-district through a door-to-door survey with a questionnaire. The exploration indicates the following: (1) the original form of all remaining houses has been altered, (2) most of the inhabitants are classified as a low-income society, (3) the different characteristics of the present inhabitants change the physical condition of houses, (4) the relationship of the current house condition to the socio-culture and economy of the inhabitants plays a prominent role in revitalizing Banjarese houses as a valuable asset.