Urban and Regional Planning Review

Vol. 4, 2017 | 71

A Study on the Historical Transformation of Physical Feature and

Room Layout of Banjarese House in the Context of Preservation

-Case Study in Kuin Utara Settlement, Banjarmasin, Indonesia-

Meidwinna Vania Michiani* and Junichiro Asano**

Abstract

This study aims to observe the historical transformation of the traditional maritime house in the
embryo of Banjarmasin City, the Banjarese house. By intensifying on the physical features and
room layout, this research will deliver a proposal on preventing the somewhat fragile Banjarese
house from extinction. Firstly, the study starts with an identification of the general physical
components of the remaining Banjarese houses. Secondly, the historical development is analyzed
to identify the transformation pattern and room spatial arrangement. Finally, the SWOT method
will be utilized to map the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities of, as well as the threat to, the
Banjarese house in order to scrutinize the possibility of preservation.
The result outlines that, in spite of the general poor condition of the investigated houses, the
Banjarese houses represent value and the cultural identity of the Banjarese people and their life.
Despite some weaknesses and threats that may deter the Banjarese houses from getting protected,
there are more valuable reasons for executing a preservation strategy with government support.
In general, this study suggests a strategy of creating a living space where the old house mingles
together with the surroundings. Therefore, we intend to protect not only the building itself but
also the current life of its residents. Furthermore, we offer this as an idea to preserve traditional
homes all over the world and especially those in developing countries.

Keywords: Banjarese house, transformation, room layout, preservation

1. Introduction

1.1 Background of the Topic

Due to the effects of modernization, traditional houses around the world encounter
transformation in three orders which classified as: physical, territorial and cultural (Habraken,
1978, as cited in Anhar, 2010, pp.3). Modernization, that changes the living habits and the needs
of the inhabitants indirectly, has an impact on changing the characteristics of their dwellings
(Pinijvarasin, 2002-2003). The physical and functional changes represent the efforts to fulfill the
resident’s needs and way of life and to adapt to the lack of natural material on today’s modern
market (Lestari, 2013). This situation provokes a dilemma for the present inhabitants between

*
Doctoral Student, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology,
Japan
**
Professor, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan
E-mail: meidwinna@gmail.com

(C) 2017 City Planning Institute of Japan

http://dx.doi.org/10.14398/urpr.4.71
Urban and Regional Planning Review
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maintaining tradition and keeping up with a modern lifestyle.

The Indonesian traditional house can mainly be grouped into two categories: Maritime and
Agricultural. Maritime houses are stilt houses built alongside or above the river or sea, found in
Sumatera (Palembang), Kalimantan (Banjar), and Sulawesi (Bugis). Agricultural or landed
houses are particularly seen in Java, Bali, etc. Compared to landed ones, aquatic dwellings exist
only in a few places across the globe, including Indonesia.
One case of maritime architecture is the Banjarese house in Banjarmasin, which have existed
for many decades. The Banjarese house is a typical riverside vernacular dwellings of the
Banjarese tribe that were built between 1871 and 1935 (Saleh, 1980, pp.5). They exist in most of
the settlements in the mountainous areas, flat lands, as well as along the riverbanks throughout
the Kalimantan region. Built on tall pillars to keep them above water level, they were developed
together with other Banjarese dwellings that were originally developed as urban settlements for
maritime traders and craft specialists surrounding the palaces of the kings and distinct from rural
villages (Zohrah and Fukukawa, 2010).
People dominantly occupy around the origin of the riverfront in Banjarmasin as traditional
settlements. The houses grew spontaneously along the river and the central city in the old village
(kampung), showing the dwelling as a part of a river culture, where the daily activities of the
inhabitants depend on the river as a source of drinking water, a place for bathing and washing,
transportation, etc. There are eleven classifications of the Banjarese house; the number is quite
unusual compared to other maritime houses in Indonesia that commonly are of around two kinds
only. This particular facts gives us a firm reason to carry out a study about the Banjarese house.

1.2 Research Problem

At present, the Banjarese house is in a state of extinction and experiencing major physical
transformations. The changes in housing have occurred mainly due to the introduction of new
building materials and systems (Viquar, 1998, pp.1). Aside from that, a lack of attention from the
local government in protecting the traditional houses and a lack of self-consciousness by dwellers
has also contributed to the further worsening of the overall physical condition of the remaining
houses.
Michiani and Asano (2016a, 2016b) found out that only a small number of the houses remain;
mostly in a bad condition, and that their original style had been altered and modified by the owner.
The houses that are spread across some of the areas of South Kalimantan, such as Keramat Baru,
Sungai Jingah, Marabahan, Teluk Selong, Banua Anyar, Kuin Selatan, Kuin Utara, etc.; mainly
stand as single buildings and not as a part of a group of houses.
An immediate preservation action is required for keeping the traditional architecture as a part
of the habitat of the community (Noviarti et al., 2013). Without protection, the buildings tend to
lose their characteristics. Nevertheless, the viability of the traditional structures is governed by
motivations and functional considerations of the people inhabiting the house (Hanan, 2010).
Furthermore, it should be noted that an absence of a concrete vision for urban planning and
development control tools caused the occurrence of physical and social transformation in the area
(Hareedy and Deguchi, 2010).

1.3 Target Location

Banjarmasin, the capital city of South Kalimantan, is the oldest city in Borneo island (today
Kalimantan), which was first established around the 16th century along the Kuin and Alalak River
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Fig.1 Location Map

(Source: Michiani and Asano, 2016b)
(Subiyakto, 2004). Renowned of its unique waterscapes, Banjarmasin comes to be called “the
City of a Thousand Rivers” and “Venice of the East”, as a large number of rivers flowed all
through the city in the earlier days.
This study focuses on the remaining Banjarese houses in the Kuin Utara sub-district in the
North District of Banjarmasin, located six kilometers from the central city (Fig.1). Based on the
Decree of the Banjarmasin mayor No. 488A/DPU-CK/VII/2009 about the priority of handling
squatter areas and traditional settlements, Kuin Utara is one of five sub-districts, which is set as a
traditional area in Banjarmasin City (Rahmitiasari et al., 2014).
The settlement situated along the downstream of the Kuin River is closely linked to the history
of Banjarmasin City. This settlement is the embryo of Banjarmasin, the oldest Banjarese village
that previously developed to become the greatest Islamic kingdom in Borneo (Goenmiandari et
al., 2010). The Banjarese Kingdom is the first Islamic empire in Kalimantan, built by Sultan
Suriansyah (1526-1550). In 1612, the palace was burnt down by the VOC (1). No remains exist;
thus, the exact location of the palace cannot be determined. However, researchers and scientists
believe that the site of the royal residence is in the same place where the present burial complex
of Sultan Suriansyah is.
In the context of tourism, several historical and cultural attractions can be viewed within the
area. There is not only the royal burial complex of Sultan Suriansyah, but also a historical mosque
named the Sultan Suriansyah Mosque, and one more place, the floating market of Muara Kuin.
Designated by the government as a historical tourism village, it can be agreed that Kuin Utara has
historical value worthy of investigation as the city's embryo. Consequently, there is a strong
reason for the remaining Banjarese houses to be revitalized as to upgrade the overall value of the
area as an important historical site.

2. Aims and Methodology

2.1 Aims of the Study

This research seeks to observe the physical transformation process of the Banjarese house by
analyzing the period or phase of change and its cause. Another objective of this study is to discuss
the spatial room configuration of the present Banjarese house as well. The final result of this
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research will allow us to consider the possibility of house preservation and to propose a suitable
preservation method.
However, there is a lack of research investigating the historical transformation of the physical
form and room layout of the Banjarese houses in Kuin Utara, Banjarmasin. There is also less
study, discussion or proposals of guidelines for preserving these traditional houses. Hence, this
study places an emphasis on housing development and offers a direction for protecting the
remaining Banjarese houses.

2.2 Research Method

This research starts with a general investigation of the target location along the Kuin Riverside
in Kuin Utara sub-district (Fig.1). The target houses were chosen up to the fourth layer as a
maximum from the main road. Based on the observation, only thirteen remaining Banjarese
houses are still occupied.
Integrative research approaches were held to gain the data by field survey, observation, and
interviewing. The dwellers from the target houses were interviewed by using questionnaires,
consisting of questions about their construction and renovation chronologies: year, reason, shape,
and size. Building condition was also examined by measuring, sketching, and taking photographs.
In further investigation, only 11 houses were available to be studied and are indicated in this paper
with the alphabet letters A-K (Fig.1).
The result of the questionnaire leads to an identification of the general condition and physical
features of the remaining Banjarese houses. Then, by having an understanding of the historical
development of the house, it helps us to identify the transformation pattern and to reveal the
physical change characteristics of the houses. The next step is to define the typical layout to
expose the current hierarchy or the importance of the room. To identify the key issues concerning
Table 1 History of Banjarese House

Year Description Location

The Original 1526 - The complex of Banjarese palace as Riverbank, specifically
Banjarese House 1612 the origin1 in Kuin Utara
The Development 16th - Royalty and aristocrat started to
of Banjarese 19th build Banjarese house1
House The houses developed together with
ordinary house for commoners1
1860 Fall of Banjarese kingdom2
Degradation of owner3
Riverbanks, flat lands,
Commoners who have money
mountains
started to build Banjarese house3
Modification of original shape,
layout, and ornament of the house3
Now People stop building Banjarese
house4
The number of existing Banjarese
house is decreasing4
Sources: 1 Zohrah and Fukukawa, 2010 3
Anhar, 2010, pp.4
2 4
Artha, 1970 (as cited in Anhar, 2010, pp.4) Michiani and Asano, 2016b
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Table 2 Classification of Banjarese House

Roof Type
No Name Residents
Main Roof Type Others
1 Bubungan King and family High ridgepole gable Shed roof
Tinggi
2 Gajah Baliku Closest relatives of High ridgepole gable roof Gable roof with hip
the ruler end, shed roof
3 Gajah Nobles Half-hipped roof Shed roof
Manyusu
4 Balai Laki Officials Gable roof Shed roof
5 Balai Bini Princesses and Gable roof with hip ends Shed roof
nannies
6 Palimasan Royal treasurer Gable roof with hip ends -
7 Palimbangan Clerics Gable roof -
8 Cacak Burung Commoners Gable roof Gable roof with hip
ends
9 Tadah Alas Commoners Overlapping gable roof Gable roof with hip
with hip ends ends
10 Joglo Chinese merchant Rectangular cone-shaped -
roof (Joglo)
11 Lanting Lowest income Gable roof -
group
(Sources: Seman and Irhamna, 2001)

the problems, a SWOT (Strength - Weakness - Opportunity - Threat) analysis was performed to
assess the possibility for preservation. The outcomes will further prompt to the final goal, which
is to propose a suitable method for preserving the Banjarese house in the target area.

3. The Banjarese House

3.1 Outline of Banjarese Houses

The study by Michiani and Asano (2016a, 2016b) exposed that the Banjarese house was
initially built as part of the compound of the Banjarese palace in 1526-1612 on the riverbank of
Kuin Utara, which was becoming the embryo of the city of Banjarmasin (Table 1). However, in
the 16th to 19th centuries, the king authorized royalty and aristocrats to build their houses in the
same style as the palace (Zohrah and Fukukawa, 2010). Those houses mingled together with the
ordinary houses for the commoner. The fall of the Banjarese Kingdom in 1860 caused a
degradation in the ownership of Banjarese houses. As a result, wealthy citizens started to build
any style of Banjarese house and modify the original shape, layout, and ornament (Anhar, 2010,
pp.4).
The Banjarese house style has ten types of vernacular houses and one traditional house called
Lanting. The classification considers many elements of the house, such as layout, shape, ornament,
and structure (Anhar, 2010, pp.4). A different class of society resided in each type as shown in
Table 2. Bubungan Tinggi, the most iconic one, which was a part of the palace complex, is where
the king and his family resided. Six other houses were also a part of palace complex: Gajah Baliku,
Gajah Manyusu, Balai Laki, Balai Bini, Palimasan, and Palimbangan. The rest were for
commoners, which are Cacak Burung, Tadah Alas, Joglo, and Lanting.
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Table 3 Layout and Facade of the Original Banjarese House

BUBUNGAN TINGGI BALAI LAKI BALAI BINI Notes of

Residents: King and Residents: Officials Residents: Princesses symbol:
family and nannies S: stairs
P: terrace
PN-K, PN-T,
PN-B, PN-D,
PN-BW: living
room
A: bedroom
PD: kitchen

(The symbols
in the pictures
represent the
original name
of room layout
of Banjarese
house.)

(Redrawn by Author. Source: Seman and Irhamna, 2001)

There is no predefined size for a Banjarese house; it depends on the owner's preference. Eight
characteristics of the Banjarese house are defined as below (Seman and Irhamna, 2001, pp.9-10):
(1) Wooden house
(2) Stilt house, supported by pillars
(3) Symmetrical layout and façade elements and construction.
(4) Anjung, a sleeping place, located symmetrically on both the right and left side of the
house.
(5) Roof covered by sirap (a high-quality wooden roof) or palm leaf.
(6) Two stairs, at the front and back of the house.
(7) Two access doors (front and back), located symmetrically in the middle of the main axis.
(8) Tawing halat, a dividing wall between the front part and the main room. It has
symmetrical twin doors on the right and left.

3.2 Overview of the Study Area

The urban riverside settlements have become alternative places for migrants or urban poor and
have dealt with problems, such as water supply, reliable walkways, housing quality, sanitation,
and so on (Sarwadi et al., 2002), combined with the image of a slum, squatters, and high-density.
However, the riverside settlements of Kuin Utara are relatively less dense compared to riverside
dwellings in general (BPS, 2016). It also provides a friendly and walkable landscape area as a
result of the positive relationship between the inhabitants and their environment.
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From the investigation, only several types out of the eleven kinds of Banjarese houses could be
noticed in the area of Kuin Utara. Those found were seven houses of Balai Bini, two houses of
Balai Laki, and two houses of Bubungan Tinggi (Table 3). The houses were mostly built around
1900, which was a time where ordinary people who had money could construct a Banjarese house
and modify the authentic form, layout, and ornamentation of the houses (Meidwinna and Asano,
2016a, 2016b). Not only the descendants of the kingdom but also merchants, wealthy farmers, as
well as public figures, started to build Banjarese houses. Since their initial construction, the
owners made some small modifications, based on their needs and particular tastes.
Nonetheless, referring to author’s previous study, most of the houses are identified as in a bad
state. Furthermore, the residents of the investigated houses can be classified as a low-income class.
Education, information, urbanization, and globalization has reformed the inhabitants’ lifestyle.
Also, their lifestyle has changed based on the use of dwellings and economic conditions
(Thanousorn and Oikawa, 2010). These aspects should be taken into account in preserving
Banjarese houses.

4. The Physical Features

4.1 House Component

House features are important parts to determine the authenticity and the value of a Banjarese
house. Referring to the eight characteristics of a Banjarese house classified by Seman and Irhamna
(2001) mentioned in the previous section, the current house’s authentic components will be

Table 4 Physical Component of Investigated Houses

House Code
Feature
A B C D E F G H I J K
Wooden Foundation ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Material

structure Floor ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Wall ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ △ ○ ○ ○ ○
Wooden roof × × △ × × × × × △ × ×
Pillar ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Stairs Front △ △ △ × △ × △ × △ × ○
Component

Back × × × × × × × × × × ×
Door Front △ △ △ △ △ △ △ △ △ △ △
Back × × × × × ○ × × × × ×
Tawing halat △ × × × × △ × △ × ○ △
Symmetrical Layout △ △ × × × × △ △ × △ ×
cross shape ○
Space

Façade × × × × × × × × × ×
Anjung Right × ○ × × ○ ○ ○ ○ △ ○ ×
Left ○ ○ × × ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ×
○Likely the same as the original component
Notes: △Unlikely the same (slightly modified or half-broken)
×Not found or totally modified
(Source: Field Survey)
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examined. For an easier understanding, the characteristics will be grouped into three: material,
component, and space (Table 4).
The Kalimantan region is blessed with abundant and prosperous tropical rainforests, which
indeed produce sufficient timber for human use. Therefore, the typical building material of an
initial Banjarese house is timber, specifically ulin (Eusideroxylon Zwageri). Ulin is one of the
most durable timbers and an excellent quality local wood, which was chosen as the primary
material for most of the house elements, including foundation, floor, and wall. However, in the
present day, the availability of ulin has decreased, and its price is relatively high. For that reason,
ulin is no longer preferable; people, in general, use another material for building a house instead.
The scarcity of these wood resources also affects the condition of the Banjarese house. Table 4
shows that despite the bad state of the remains, ulin can be found in the houses and used for
foundations and floors. The observation reveals that in spite of the high price, the usage of ulin
for foundations and floors is a reflection of its high-capability to bear the load of the building and
its ability to adapt to wet soil. Nonetheless, walls do not need a specific material. There are many
options for substituting ulin, thus, the dwellers tend to use cheaper wall material for renovation,
such as different types of timber or cement board (kalsiboard).
One particular characteristic of the Banjarese house is that its roof is enclosed with sirap, a
high-quality wooden roof made of ulin; some alternatively use palm leaf. Due to natural
degradation over time, the material should regularly be changed in the range of five and ten years
(Seman and Irhamna, 2001, pp.99). However, the rare and pricey sirap in today’s market
generates alternatives for roofing material. Table 4 indicates that the current residents tend to
choose a cheaper material for renovation, such as zinc. This result shows that the choice of
building material is substantially affected by the economy.
The tropical wetland is characteristic of the soil in Kalimantan. The area is drenched with
water, either permanently or seasonally. To adapt to the soil condition, buildings in the area should
be supported by pillars on the bottom side to keep them above the water level, creating a hollow
beneath the buildings. This is an effective method to reduce the dampness of the house, so that
the durability of the building’s structure will be increased (Anhar, 2010, pp.11). Hence, all of the
initial Banjarese house are categorized as stilt houses, as they are supported by pedestals as well.
The investigation of the current houses reveals that the pillars remain the same. However, the
hollows become smaller due to the piles of garbage dumped beneath the houses.
Having two stairs, one at the front and one at the backside of the house is one of the distinctive
features of the Banjarese house. Differing from ordinary stairs, the stairs in the Banjarese house
have some special rules such as the number of steps and are placed right in the middle of the
central axis, as a connector of the outside (lower ground) and inside (upper level). However, as
the lower ground becomes higher due to some sedimentation and pavements, the function of the
stairs lose value. The recent dwellers tend to reconstruct the front stairs as conventional ones and
move the position as well, resulting in that they can no longer be classified as Banjarese stairs.
Conversely, the back stairs of the present house have ceased to be of importance as they no longer
play a major role. In accordance with the stairs, the authentic Banjarese house has only two access
doors: one front door and one back door, which connects the house and the outside. The doors are
placed in parallel in the same axis as the stairs. The observation exposes that all front doors have
been modified. They have been moved from their original position to the side of the façade or
side of the house. Conversely, similar to the back stairs, the back doors have perished due to their
de-functioning.
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Fig.2a Exterior and Interior of a Medium Condition House

(Source: Field Survey)

Fig.2b Exterior and Interior of a Bad Condition House

(Source: Field Survey)
The back stairs and the back doors connect the kitchen and the outside. This indicated that
they have a private function. To put it differently, they are designated as a private access for the
residents to enter and go out of the house without being noticed by a guest or the public.
Nevertheless, because of the growth of settlements, the houses are built closer to one another than
in earlier days. To adjust with this situation, the back access of most houses has been sealed, and
in some houses, it has been moved to the side door. Based on the review, it can be noted that the
disappearance of the back elements showing the change of the house orientation that the back part
of house is no more substantial in today’s situation.
Another uniqueness of a Banjarese house is tawing halat, a dividing wall between the front
part (PN-B) and the main room (PN-D) of the house that features symmetrical twin doors on the
right and left (see Table 3). This wall represents a gate to enter the inner part of the house and a
background for the living room (Seman and Irhamna, 2001, pp.110). In the early Banjarese house,
tawing halat would be decorated beautifully with some ornaments to symbolize the status and the
interest of the house owner (Seman and Irhamna, 2001, pp.119). This special wall stands alone
with no other wall attached to its surface. The current tawing halat, however, have either
disappeared or been modified into an ordinary wall. Only one from the investigated houses was
found likely the same as the original wall. This expressed that the present inhabitant tends to
simplify the house components, from a decorated symbol to a simpler and more functional
component.
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Both the layout and the façade components of initial Banjarese house are symmetric and the
plan of some house types form a cross shape. It is expected that the meaning of the house form is
influenced by the culture and belief of the old Banjarese Kingdom. The field survey clarified that
the existing houses in the study area are Bubungan Tinggi, Balai Bini, and Balai Laki, which are
supposed to be in a crossed-shape form (Fig.2a, Fig.2b). Many of the current houses have
transformed into different shapes, while five houses are detected as quite symmetric with only a
few additional spaces. A Banjarese house can also be distinguished from its particular façade,
which is arranged in a symmetrical balance between the right and the left parts. Also, the façade
features, such as the door and window components have a particular number. These rules,
however, are no longer applied in the investigated houses. The facade of ten out of the eleven
investigated houses has been replaced by a non-symmetrical one. This indicates a change in taste
of the current inhabitants.
Attached symmetrically on the right and left of the house, anjung is formerly built for the
purpose of sleeping spaces. Anjung still exist in most of the current houses, however, due to the
current need of the residents, some of them are divided into smaller rooms. The need for a greater
number of spaces has generated the alteration of anjung.
The study of the physical components reveal that some authentic materials remain in poor
condition. However, it is unlikely that ulin will be used for future renovation due to its scarcity
and the high price of the material. Thus it will be difficult to maintain a Banjarese house in its
original form. Besides, some parts of the houses no longer play important roles due to the change
of the current needs and lifestyles of the residents, such as back stairs, back doors, tawing halat,
and anjung. This indicates that the back part of the house is no longer an important area for access
in the present day and the role of anjung as a sleeping space seems unnecessary now; anjungs are
modified for other purposes. The concept of symmetrical layout and façade is no longer applicable
in today’s houses, owing to the change of the inhabitant’s preferences.

4.2 Physical Development

We obtained information about the chronological building transformation from oral history; no
written evidence exists. Fig.3 shows the comparison between the existing house layout and its
authentic form, revealing that all of the houses have been modified. House type A is Balai Bini;
this house lost its right anjung (bedroom) due to a land dispute. House B is also Balai Bini; there
is no particular change in the exterior shape. The initial form of house C is quite different from
the common Balai Bini.
There are many changes in house D. Anjung has disappeared; this house was also divided into
three parts resided in by family members. As for house E (Balai Bini), the rear part has vanished.
The house shape does not look like a cross anymore. The front parts of house F cannot be located
while the other parts remain intact. There are hardly any changes in house G; only several room
divisions and the addition of a bathroom/WC. House H still represents a cross shape, but some
rooms have been divided into smaller ones.
In house I (Balai Bini), the back part had perished and was restored with a bathroom/WC as a
new function. As for house J (Bubungan Tinggi), the front part was destroyed due to the
construction of a road. House K suffered from self-destruction in the middle and back part as it
was once abandoned.
In addition, Fig.3 shows that there is no relationship between the number of bedrooms and the
current resident. There are some big households with fewer bedrooms compared to the others,
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where one bedroom can accommodate more than one nuclear family (House F). In another case,
some family members sleep in the family room instead of the bedroom (House B). This flexibility
is typical to the culture of Indonesian people, especially in a rural area. No indicator can be
identified to discover the pattern of this particular habit.
This section reveals that the authentic house plans have some varieties but that the most basic
principles are similar. Likewise, self-destruction or modification by the owner has altered the
authentic forms of all of the remaining Banjarese houses. Furthermore, there is a tendency of the
development of the houses towards functionality, which is to say that every room will be occupied
optimally to prevent any room from being useless. Some rooms may be modified to accommodate
every function needed.
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4.3 Land Border

Fig.3 shows that some houses are located
close to each other. They are built next to each
other without any clear land border; some of
them are separated only by small alleys. Most
of them do not have sufficient barrier; neither
by a house yard nor fence.
This condition becomes a problem for
sanitation, air circulation, and lighting. It also
increases the risk of fire disaster. Hence, a
buffer zone is needed for protection and
creating a better quality of housing.

5. Room Layout Development

5.1 Transformation Pattern

Based on the survey, the development of the
Banjarese house can be grouped into several
phases of transformation (Fig.4). The authentic
houses were built in the 19th century up until
the early 20th century. The basic layout of most
houses was the same. However, we noticed a
small modification to the original room
configurations of houses B and C. The next
period of transformation is around the mid-20th
century. Additional sleeping spaces (BD) were
found in some houses. This phenomenon
reflects the different needs and privacy
requirements of the residents. People started to
see the sleeping room as an individual
accommodation space. In the same period,
some parts of the house began to disappear.
Near the end of the 20th century, people
started to build a bathroom and water closet, as
well as a plumbing system. The early
inhabitants of the settlements went to the river
for bathing and urinating. However, people
started to think about privacy and hygiene, so
they moved these activities away from the river
and into the house. Moreover, building a
private bathroom and water closet inside the
house is more convenient compared to going to
the river. The next trend is in the early 21st
century, where people started to build a new
function for business purposes. The residents Fig.4 Spatial Transformation Process
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created an additional place as a stall, attached or detached from the main building.
This section concludes that the change of inhabitant lifestyles, needs, and privacy influences
house transformation. Likewise, it can be recognized that there is a new use, which likely tends
to be an economic function, in the development of house.

5.2 Room Spatial Arrangement

Based on the privacy level and the room function, we classified the house into several zones
(Fig.4):
(1) Public zone
Designated for guests or strangers, the public area is located in the front part of the house. Terrace
(TR), living room (LV) and stall (ST) fulfill this function.
(2) Semi-private zone
The semi-private area provides a space for family, where they can relax, gather, or chat. The
family room (F) accommodates this feature. In the early Banjarese house, F had the highest room
hierarchy and was placed in the middle of the house. Even though this hierarchy is no longer
applied to the present house, the location of F is still in the center.
(3) Private zone
Bedroom (BD) accommodates a private space. Formerly, there were only two bedrooms in each
house; one for the parents and one for the children. The initial location of BD is on the side part
of the house. However, the present BD expands to the middle and the front part of the house.
(4) Service zone
In Indonesian culture, the service function should be placed in a hidden spot, which is in the back
part of the house. The only room in the back part of the authentic Banjarese house is the kitchen
(K).
We can also see the result as below:
(a) Rooms K, BT, and WC are located next to each other. This condition relates to their
similarities as a place for activities associated with water. Their proximity eases access to the
plumbing system and its installation. These rooms are mostly located on the back side of the house,
where it is designated as a service area. The other utility rooms are storage (SR), garage (G), and
washing room (WS).
(b) BD located near F. As a place for family gathering, the proximity of the family room to the
sleeping rooms make it easy for the whole family to gather or just to pass each other by.
(c) F and LV have almost a similar function, as a gathering space. The difference lies in the
privacy level. The living room, which is designated for a guest, has a more public characteristic
than the family room.
(d) All of the houses have TR, which has two functions: (1) to stop strangers from coming
inside the house; or (2) a place for gathering and chatting with neighbors, which is a regular part
of Indonesian cultural activity, especially in a rural area.
This analysis concludes that the level of privacy and the room function determine the layout.
Accordingly, there is no significant transformation between the spatial arrangement of the current
and the early houses. This principle is important as a guideline for the room arrangement of the
preservation program.
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6. Discussion

6.1 SWOT Analysis

The results from the previous analyses show the importance of house features and physical
development in determining the value of the current Banjarese houses. Besides, the condition of
a barrier around the house is essential for the future protection of the target houses. Without any
clear border, the chance of total loss is higher. It is fundamental to identify the house’s value to
weigh the necessity of preservation. In addition, the observation of the transformation pattern and
room arrangement clarifies the changing trends of the houses. The trend indicates the tendency of
the inhabitant’s attitude toward a Banjarese house; whether to protect or lose the value of a
Banjarese house.
The investigation outcomes, along with the identified key issues relevant to the problems, will
be examined altogether with the SWOT (Strength – Weakness – Opportunity – Threat) method.
This is a prerequisite approach to establishing a preservation plan for the Banjarese houses. Also,
by using a SWOT analysis (Table 5), the potential of preservation can be estimated.
The Banjarese house has several unique features that can be taken into account. As a patrimony
of the former Banjarese kingdom, the Banjarese house has a strong historical connection with the
monarchy. Likewise, the houses are historical evidence and a manifestation of the old-time
Banjarese riverside society with their river culture. Classified as a maritime house, the initial
Banjarese house demonstrates an interaction between the resident’s activities and the river.
Accordingly, preserving the Banjarese house becomes one of the ways to revive the river culture
in Banjarmasin’s riverside settlement, to transcend the historical situation and to transmit the
meaning of living near the river.
Regardless of the poor condition of the general investigated houses, it should be perceived that
the design of traditional architectures reflects rules, norms and socio-cultural and replete with
symbolic meaning (Erdogan et al., 2016). In a Banjarese house, those meanings are represented
through their physical features and spaces, expressing cultural identity. Building shape and the
use of local materials in the Banjarese house display cultural values that cherish nature and the
environment. Ornaments and symbols of the Banjarese house are formed by religious values and
beliefs. Social sense and privacy are expressed in the hierarchy of space and floor levels. A
hierarchy of space shows the values of privacy and social; thus each room has individual functions.
Table 5 SWOT Analysis for the Preservation

Internal Factor External Factor

Story of the Banjarese house Historical tourism village
Positive

Maritime house Some tourism spots within the area

The meaning of physical feature
Hierarchy of space
STRENGTH: Unique feature
WEAKNESS: Lack of internal support
Low-income society
Negative
Medium-density settlement
Interesting and walkable area
OPPORTUNITY: Supportive environment
THREAT: Unknowing the place value
The lack of regulation and financial support

Low self-consciousness and lack of No clear land border

initiative for preservation Housing development: business/economic
The change of inhabitant's lifestyle, Trend of renovation: simplicity and functionality
need, and privacy level. Rare and pricey original material
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For example, the terrace shelters neighbors and strangers, while the living room accommodates
family celebration. One type of Banjarese house called Bubungan Tinggi even has some living
rooms, which is divided into some rooms to welcome different guests; honored guests will be
served in the living room with the highest hierarchy.
Cultural values are qualities which are essential for building houses and sustaining them over
time (Fallah et al., 2015). Traditional building is more than just a shelter and has much
philosophical meaning, which cannot be found in modern houses. This indicates the need for
preserving traditional houses and their values.
There is a disclosure of the lack of internal support that weakens the possibility for preservation.
Classified as a low-income society, the inhabitants have low self-consciousness or lack of
initiative to maintain the Banjarese house to a good physical standard. Mirmoghtadaee (2009)
stated that habits should be physically harmonious with traditions and lifestyle. However, the
observation shows that a dweller’s change in preferences tends to place tradition lower, which
creates an imbalance between keeping up with a modern lifestyle and maintaining the culture.
Having a supportive environment provides a noteworthy opportunity for preservation. The
investigated area is the embryo of Banjarmasin City, which is designated by the local government
as a historical tourism village. There are some tourism spots in the area, such as the royal burial
place, Sultan Suriansyah Mosque, and the Kuin floating market. These factors provide a real
incentive for preservation; preserving the remaining Banjarese houses will upgrade the area as a
tourism spot.
In general the riverside settlement is imaged as a slum area with high density and squatter
dwellings, which is always giving a bad impression and a less secure feeling. However, compared
to the other riverside areas, the settlements of Kuin Utara Riverside have less crowdedness and
can be classified as medium-density housing. Also, the target area is encompassed with a
relatively friendly and walkable landscape area; in other words, has an environmental character
that may give a sense of an existential foothold that compromises the basic relationships between
man and his environment (Norberg-Schulz, 1980, pp.5).
The external obstacle that hinders the Banjarese house as a historic asset is by means of
unknowing their true value. The lack of recognition of their importance either from the
government or the inhabitants themselves may lead to harsher defects for the Banjarese houses.
For example, the lack of regulation for preservation and the lack of financial support from the
government are very unfortunate. The conservation program is dismally inconspicuous nor has it
become a priority for city planning in Indonesia.
Correspondingly, the lower awareness of the place’s meaning from dwellers themselves
generates even more threat to the Banjarese houses. For instance, the development of the houses
focused towards the economic and the trends of renovation toward simplicity and functionality
have deteriorated the meaning of some components and spaces of the Banjarese house. Also, the
omission of the land border blurs the demarcation of the property, which may cause more damages
to the current Banjarese house. Along with the other problems, the rare and pricey original
material in today’s market also becomes a barrier for rescuing Banjarese houses.
Based on the analysis, despite some weaknesses and threats that may deter the Banjarese houses
from getting protected, there are more valuable reasons for executing a preservation plan. A
conservation program is essential to not only improve house condition but also to upgrade the
area as a historical tourism village. In the protection strategy, the government has a great role,
such as with financial support and preservation regulations. The government also needs to
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Table 6 House’s Physical Value

Criteria House Code Note-a:

A B C D E F G H I J K ◎: High (Exterior and interior are nearly the
△ same as original style)
Exterior 〇 × × × △ △ △ △ 〇 ×
shape1 〇: Medium (Exterior is near to original
Exterior × 〇 × × × × 〇 △ × × 〇 style; interior is changed)
view2 △: Medium low (Some part of the exterior
Interior3 × × × × × × × × × × × are changed, e.g. only one wing left; interior
is changed)
Overall × 〇 × × × × 〇 △ × △ △
× : Low (Exterior and interior drastically
condition
changed)
Note-b:
1
Refer to the outer shape of floor plan.
2 Point out building facade, including roof, door, ornament, etc.
3 Specifies the room layout.

cooperate with professionals and local communities to provide socialization and education to the
inhabitants so that they wish to value the areas historical significance and its traditional buildings.

6.2 Preservation Strategy

This study is undertaken to stop the degradation of Banjarese houses. Due to the severe
transformation of the existing Banjarese houses in the target area, it is crucial to propose an
immediate preservation action to protect their existence. A concrete and suitable strategy is
necessary to restore the Banjarese houses and revive the area as a traditional riverside settlement.
The chance of preservation should be estimated beforehand, through examining and evaluating
the general physical value of the investigated Banjarese houses in that houses with a closer
physical condition to the authentic style have higher value. The higher the value of the house, the
greater is the preserving possibility. Table 6 indicates that two houses are assessed as medium,
while the rest are rated as medium-low or low condition. Therefore, as for a short-term strategy,
the two houses (B and G) with medium value are picked and urged to be preserved.
The plan intends to create a living space where the old houses reside together with
contemporary houses in the surrounding area. Hence, the selected houses will remain as a
dwelling and the current lifestyle of the residents will be maintained. The dwellers will be able to
continue living in the preserved house and do their activities as normal.

7. Conclusions and Suggestions

7.1 Conclusions
Regardless of the poor condition of the general investigated houses, the Banjarese house
represents meaning through their physical features and space that express the cultural identity of
the Banjarese people and their life. It is necessary to keep these values to sustain them over time
for the next generation.
In general, this study delivers a short-term strategy for preserving the traditional house as a part
of the existing settlement in urban and suburban areas, which can be applied especially for those
in developing countries. Despite some weaknesses and threats that may deter the Banjarese houses
from getting protected, there are more valuable reasons for executing a preservation strategy, such
as a supportive environment that provides a remarkable opportunity for such action. Accordingly,
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an immediate preservation movement to protect their existence is essential. The establishment of

a conservation plan, however, needs good cooperation between government, professionals, and
the local community.

7.2 Suggestions
In this part, the outline of the strategy will be detailed as below:
(1) As for the short-term planning, the idea is focusing on preserving the two selected houses
(house B and G) with the best physical condition. The exterior and interior will be restored
appropriate to Banjarese house principles, with some specific conditions:
(a) Restoring the original material of the house.
(b) Resetting the house layout. However, additional rooms may be needed to adapt with the
current lifestyle; they will be placed according to the zone where they belong. Additional
sleeping room will be accommodated by dividing anjung into several rooms. Storage and
bathroom/WC will be setup separately from the main house.
(c) Creating a distinct land border around the preserved houses with landscape and fences.
(d) Maintenance is a common problem in Indonesia. However, this program should be
followed with proper maintenance and evaluation.
(2) The second step is the long-term planning, which will be able to be performed after evaluating
the short-term strategy. The rules for the second phase are the same as in the first step. However,
there are some additional points as follows:
(a) For a house in a severe condition, only some parts will be restored as an original building,
with original material. The original part will be combined with the new part of the house,
showing the old and the new standing together as one house.
(b) Expanding the size of current house will be difficult as there are many buildings in the
surrounding area. However, if empty land is available near the main house, an additional
house will be built to accommodate the entire family.

Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology (MEXT) of Japan (Grant number 166553), which granted a scholarship for the
author's study in Toyohashi University of Technology. We thank the Research Administration
Center (RAC) of Toyohashi University of Technology, which provided language help.

Notes

(1) The United East Indian Company (Dutch: Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie; VOC)
formed as a combination of mercantile organizations from various cities in Holland and
Zeeland, the Company was involved in commerce in Asia itself, as well as between Europe
and Asia. VOC is generally considered to be the first multinational and the company to issue
stock. It had presence in the Indonesian archipelago from 1603. (Source: www.european-
heritage.org)
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