CONTEXTUAL ARCHITECTURE

LINK 1

Baskoro, M. (December 2022) Study of Contextual Architecture Concepts in Government

Buildings
Abstract

Contextual architecture involves designing buildings that harmonize with their environment,
making them sustainable. This study examines the Constitutional Court Building in Jakarta,
analyzing its design through seven principles. The research aims to provide a reference for
planning and designing government buildings, using a descriptive qualitative method to describe
and identify each principle of contextual architecture.
Indonesia's constitution serves as the norm for the political system, providing rules and
principles for the state's structures and authority. The Constitutional Court requires a
representative office to carry out its duties and enhance government involvement in
development. The construction of government buildings requires architectural designs that
emphasize the relationship with their surroundings and harmonize functions. Government
buildings can blend modern and traditional designs by applying contextual architectural
concepts. This study aims to understand how the context affects the office of the Constitutional
Court of the Republic of Indonesia, increasing knowledge of contextual architecture concepts for
practitioners and academics, and serving as a reference for government building planners.

The Constitutional Court building in Jakarta Central, located at Jl. Merdeka West Camp No.6
Gambir, is a complex structure with a total floor area of 23,000 square meters. The building,
divided into two parts, stands at a height of 75.3 meters and features a classic double-functioned
podium as a courtroom. The design of the nine pillars, which symbolize the Nine Constitutional
Judges, has been criticized by the DKI City Architecture Advisory Team. Despite its status as a
"constitution house," the building also conveys community warmth through its non-walled
design and open courtyard. The Brolin-Bentley Context Theory is used to present the building's
contextual principles.
1. INTRODUCTION
The government provides a pedestrian entrance to the MK building, located on the West
Merdeka Field Road. The road is ±6m wide, with three vehicle columns, one busway column,
and a road shoulder. Public transportation options include city buses and busways, with bus stops
and busway stops nearby. The MK building is easily accessible for pedestrians, with every
western independent field road featuring a pedestrian track.

2. RESEARCH METHODS
Bentley's Contextual Principle divides functional diversity into contrast, influencing the
Constitutional Court building's shape. The podium serves multiple functions, including office,
meeting room, and a large plenary meeting room, resulting in a diverse and functional building.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Application of the principle of legibility to the building of the Constitutional Court applies
according to the context with the surrounding building and has elements of contrast on the
building surrounding it.

Bentley & Brolin's concept of legibility refers to visual processing in buildings, focusing on
elements like height, materials, and typologies. The MK building, consisting of a podium and
tower, uses harmony and contrast to distinguish its shape from surrounding buildings. This
contrast helps differentiate the building from its surrounding features, making it easier to
navigate.

The MK building on the podium features a different roof typology from the surrounding area,
with a classic crown dome roof design on the podium and tower part, and a modern nuance on
the tower section.
The MK building is a focused skyscraper, 16-20 floors high, aimed at leveling and stabilizing the
surrounding buildings, with a minimum tower height of 75-100 meters.
The MK building on the podium has a different facade typology compared to surrounding office
and government buildings. The podium section has nine pillars supporting the terrace roof and
23 staircases to reach the podio. The pillars have a gothic style with a strange number, but there
is no law prohibiting them. The 16-storey tower aims to align the facade with the surrounding
building without contrasting it.
In the case of building material components, the podium part of the Constitutional Court applies
the basis of contrast that is. H. The roof material is the construction material of the podium. The
crown ceiling is made of former German Ticusink copper, which is expected to change from
yellow to green in the next 16 years. This contrast principle is applied based on the purpose of
the building, with the roof shaped emblems and materials used to symbolize majesty and
majesty.

NOTE: Explain each principles of contextualism and its consideration which are found in this
study.

4. Sustainability
Bentley's principle of sustainability emphasizes temporary and multifunctional spaces in
contextual architecture. In the MK building, a front yard area serves various functions, including
a pedestrian area, a gallery, and ceremonies for officers. Visitors can climb stairs and stand on
nine pillars to experience the luxury of the building, take pictures, and enjoy the atmosphere.
This allows for flexible use of spaces for various activities.

5. Richness
Bentley emphasizes the importance of designing visual and spatial experiences with depth and
interaction, focusing on the principle of wealth through material differences and spatial
arrangements. The MK building uses maximum compatibility, incorporating vegetation and
green spaces for visitors.

The MK building provides visitors with a spatial experience through its library and museum. The
library consists of a book collection, reading room, and multimedia room, while the museum
features objects related to Indonesia's history, mini-cinema, games, sculptures, and posters. Both
spaces interconnect to create a unique and immersive experience.
The design of the MK building can visually attract the attention of visitors or users, MK building
has a magnificent design by applying neoclassical style to distinguish visually from the
surrounding building, it is an element of contrast to MK building.

Basically the building around the site is a floorside building that has a podium, the design design
of the MK building is in line with the building surrounding the site. Besides, in the area of the
MK building there is also a site in front of the podium in the form of a park and RTH to keep
presenting the Greens of the area. Public spaces have become an important value in buildings
that combine the office environment with the surrounding environment so that the concept of
context can be by users and the community around them. (Dulantrinawawi, 2014).

The MK building applies elements of harmony and contrast to the building optics. The alignment
element is applied to the building typology components, starting from the building height on the
tower part while the contrast element is used on the building componentology on the shape of the
building facade and roof shape, as well as the constitutional court's atappodium material using
German-made Ticuzink copper. Application of the Concepts of Contextual Architecture through
the Seven Principles to the BuildingThe Constitutional Court aims to apply the elements of
Harmony and Contrast to the surrounding landscape. Basically, the Constitutional Court
Building is a building that has a different design shape from the surrounding building.
LINK 2
Harrouk, C. (2022, July 28). FMZD Transforms an Existing Concrete Structure in Tehran into a
Contextual Shopping Mall. ArchDaily.

The Tehran Eye is a contextual shopping center that caters to the needs and the common living
practices in the Iranian capital. The project, conceived by Farshad Mehdizadeh Design, consisted
of redesigning a façade and reorganizing a large existing structure into an integrated entity in the
city.

From temporary Bazar in public spaces to malls, shopping is part of Tehran’s resistance routine
culture. Located in one of the city’s main streets, Shariati Street, the project tried to replace the
missing CBD. The North-to-South main arteries have a very critical role in the contemporary
growth and development, forming multiple shopping scenarios. In fact, the proposal builds on
the major role of the streets, connecting the Grand Bazar to the wealthy part of Tehran.

“Tehran has three shopping scenarios: the Grand Bazar in the South, Shopping
malls in the North and shopping streets which are developed through the body
of these main roads. Literally, the DNA and basic cells of the shopping streets
are shops on two sides of the street which work separately and are connected
through the walkways. -- Farshad Mehdizadeh Design “
The existing large structure, designed initially as a mall with nine floors of retail, “will not survive
in that context”, because of opposite shopping behavior and the massive scale of the program.
Although shopping malls perform in general according to the capacity of parking and car
accesses, in this situation, “the survival of the structure depends on the interaction and connection
of people with the shop”.

FMZD or Farshad Mehdizadeh Design imagined a vertical street to replace the traditional packed
shopping mall. Dividing the building into two parts, the outdoor vertical open space is a
continuation of the public realm with small scale retail units, whereas the indoor area holds a
department store. The main facade of the building is, therefore, open to the public, bringing
activities to a whole new level of the structure. Inspired by the behavior of shopping streets, the
project allows people to go to the top where a panoramic view of the city is unveiled.
“The structure not only performs as a separate large scale unit that is injected
into the context, but it is responsive to the city interactions and works as a part
of the street circulation and walkway vertical growth with the small scale shops
and retails. -- Farshad Mehdizadeh Design”
LINK 3
Florian, M. (2024, April 29). Heatherwick Studio unveils design for new shopping district in the ancient
city of Xi’an, China. ArchDaily

Heatherwick Studio has revealed the design of a new shopping district in the historic city of
Xi’an in Shaanxi, China. The proposal aims to highlight the city’s rich heritage of ceramic-
making and, through this, to create a sensory experience for visitors in opposition to the
restricted act of online shopping. Spanning over 1115,000 square meters, the development
features a mixture of functions, from offices, apartments, and a hotel, to a variety of green
spaces, rooftop terraces, gardens, and a sunken terrace, all doubling as social spaces. The project
is under construction and scheduled for completion in 2024.
Aiming to move away from the image of the large monolithic commercial space, the project
breaks down in scale, combining smaller buildings with interconnecting spaces, taking cues from
the shape of traditional nesting tables. This creates a complex and dynamic image, with a series
of open terraces and gathering spaces woven throughout the design. Additionally, a variety of
local plant species brings life into the district.

Viewed from a distance, the district is defined by the distinctive shape of its rooftops inspired by
the Chinese temples of Xi’an. From a closer distance, at street level, the varying levels and
interlocking volumes provide various vantage points, with a central plaza created to become the
main gathering space for visitors. From an even closer distance, the use of local materials adds
texture and rhythm, creating a sensory experience. The buildings are clad in different patterns
of ceramics inspired by the Terracotta Army, one of the most iconic collections of ancient
sculptures in the world.

The design team at Heatherwick Studio worked with local makers to produce original and
distinctive ceramic patterns. The design process used also included the creation of small-scale
models and large-scale visual mock-ups built on-site to test out the various components of the
buildings and get a better idea of the ways in which the buildings will be experienced by visitors
and passers-by.
This new district in Xi’an explores how we can create variety and a sense of
discovery and delight within a new large-scale urban development. Using
natural materials, stepped terraces, and an enveloping landscape we can
create a city within a city merging retail, residential, office, cultural, and leisure
uses into one distinct place. - Mat Cash, group leader and partner at
Heatherwick Studio
- Baskoro, M. (December 2022) Study of Contextual Architecture Concepts in Government Buildings
- Harrouk, C. (2022, July 28). FMZD Transforms an Existing Concrete Structure in Tehran into a
Contextual Shopping Mall. ArchDaily.
- Florian, M. (2024, April 29). Heatherwick Studio unveils design for new shopping district in the ancient
city of Xi’an, China. ArchDaily

SUMMARY OF STUDIES

These studies and literature discuss how Contextualism is applied and considered in
Architecture. It emphasizes the principles of Contextual design through a variety of design
practices and considerations. One of which is the study by Baskoro which revolves around the
design of Government Buildings. This study examines the Constitutional Court Building in
Jakarta, analyzing its design through seven principles. The research aims to provide a
reference for planning and designing government buildings, using a descriptive qualitative
method to describe and identify each principle of contextual architecture.

The study by Baskoro started with the context of Indonesia's constitution that serves as the
norm for the political system, providing rules and principles for the state's structures and
authority. It states that the Constitutional Court requires a representative office to carry out its
duties and enhance government involvement in development. The construction of government
buildings requires architectural designs that emphasize the relationship with their surroundings
and harmonize functions. Government buildings can blend modern and traditional designs by
applying contextual architectural concepts.

The Constitutional Court building in Jakarta Central, located at Jl. Merdeka West Camp No.6
Gambir, is a complex structure with a total floor area of 23,000 square meters. The building,
divided into two parts, stands at a height of 75.3 meters and features a classic double-
functioned podium as a courtroom. The design of the nine pillars, which symbolize the Nine
Constitutional Judges, has been criticized by the DKI City Architecture Advisory Team.
Despite its status as a "constitution house," the building also conveys community warmth
through its non-walled design and open courtyard. The Brolin-Bentley Context Theory is used
to present the building's contextual principles.
The Brolin-Bently Context Theory emphasizes contextual principles in building design,
including legibility, building typology, façade typology, construction material, sustainability,
and richness. It focuses on visual processing, building typology, façade typology,
sustainability, and richness. Building typology complements the surrounding environment,
while façade typology blends with existing establishments. Sustainability emphasizes
temporary, multifunctional spaces in architecture. Richness emphasizes depth and interaction,
focusing on material differences and spatial arrangements.

Another example of contextualism in architecture is the Tehran Eye in Iran and The
Heatherwick Studio in China.

The Tehran Eye |

The Tehran Eye is a shopping center which applied Contextualism in its design through
redesigning a façade and reorganizing a large existing structure into an integrated entity within
the city. It focuses on the major role of the streets, connecting the Grand Bazar to the wealthy
part of Tehran. The problem being addressed with this concept is that there is an opposite
shopping behavior. The design used the existing structure with the goal to conserve it and to
replace the missing CBD while connect the two opposite shopping behavior of people within
the site.

The Heatherwick Studio |

The Heatherwick Studio is also a shopping district which is situated in the historic city of
Xi’an in Shaanxi, China. This shopping district has goal to emphasize and highlight the city’s
rich heritage in ceramic-making, in which, this is where the application of Contextualism was
derived from. It also aims to create a sensory experience for visitors.
The district's rooftops, inspired by Xi'an Chinese temples, offer various vantage points and a
central plaza for visitors. Local materials and ceramic patterns, inspired by the Terracotta
Army, create a sensory experience, with varying levels and interlocking volumes.
Heatherwick Studio collaborated with local artisans to create unique ceramic patterns, utilizing
small-scale models and large-scale visual mock-ups to test building components and visitor
experiences.

In essence, Contextualism in architecture involves designing buildings that harmonize with

their environment.

FINDINGS
The Brolin-Bently Context Theory explores contextual principles which revolves with:

Legibility – which refers to the visual processing in buildings which focuses on elements such
as height, materials, and typologies. It is also considered and applied according to the context
of the surrounding environment.

Building Typology – this refers to the consideration of designing buildings that compliments
the surrounding environment in terms of use and activities.

Façade Typology – refers to the goal of designing façade features which resemble or blends
with the façade concept of the establishments which are existing throughout the site. It can be
unique in such a way that it won’t be of contrast.

Construction Material – the principle of incorporating construction methods or materials

which are used by the existing or surrounding establishments. One can be innovative in such a
way that it will not exceed the context of the site.

Sustainability - Bentley's principle of sustainability emphasizes temporary and

multifunctional spaces in contextual architecture.

Richness – This emphasizes the importance of designing visual and spatial experiences with
depth and interaction, focusing on the principle of wealth through material differences and
spatial arrangements. The MK building uses maximum compatibility, incorporating vegetation
and green spaces for visitors.

The MK building applies elements of harmony and contrast to the building optics.

“The structure not only performs as a separate large scale unit that is injected into the context,
but it is responsive to the city interactions and works as a part of the street circulation and
walkway vertical growth with the small scale shops and retails. -- Farshad Mehdizadeh
Design”

| The Tehran Eye

The principle of Contextualism was applied with its design through which, dividing the
building into two parts, the outdoor vertical open space is a continuation of the public realm
with small scale retail units, whereas the indoor area holds a department store. The main
facade of the building is, therefore, open to the public, bringing activities to a whole new level
of the structure. Inspired by the behavior of shopping streets, the project allows people to go to
the top where a panoramic view of the city is unveiled.

| The Heatherwick Studio

Aiming to move away from the image of the large monolithic commercial space, the project
breaks down in scale, combining smaller buildings with interconnecting spaces, taking cues
from the shape of traditional nesting tables. This creates a complex and dynamic image, with a
series of open terraces and gathering spaces woven throughout the design. Additionally, a
variety of local plant species brings life into the district.

The concept of Contextualism or Contextual Architecture for this project was applied through
it’s roof design and the use of ceramic tiles and patterns. The rooftop was derived from and
inspired by Chinese Temples of Xi’an, which provides it’s distinctive shape. The incorporation
of local materials contributes to the texture and rhythm which creates a sensory experience of
the site’s context. The façade was also clad with different ceramic patterns.

The design team also collaborated with the local ceramic makers in order to produce a
distinctive ceramic pattern which adds to its Contextual concept.