'KNIL' MAGAZIJNEN Community Center

Abstract

In the context of the H&A Shared Heritage Lab, which I am part of, crucial built heritage issues are investigated in the city of Bandung, Indonesia. Bandung has many Indonesian-Dutch heritage sites and buildings as a result of the long period of colonization by the Dutch. They are part of both Dutch and Indonesian history and have become part of the expanding cities and changing landscapes of modern-day Indonesia. The challenge of this studio is to give new meaning and use to this environment, in order to realize an inclusive, thriving and healthy city, taking past, present and future into account.As part of the Heritage & Architecture team in this Shared Heritage Lab, I focused on the development of the Railroad, and its impact on the city. While initially it was on the borders of Bandung, during the years and the expansion of it, the Railway line ended up being a dead zone in the center of the city, splitting it into two, enhancing segregation and obstructing normal every-day activities. A transformation of the Railway line into a “green belt” is proposed, that includes public and green spaces, cycle path, and a new tram line. My project is located in a former military complex along the Railroad backbone, and attempts to tackle the existing problems on a neighborhood scale. The site holds both tangible and intangible values of the shared past and is transformed in order to serve current societal needs. Through the merging of traditional and modern activities with education, the aim is to maintain and develop the cultural identity and critical cultural knowledge and practices of the community, and to create the necessary environment to equip locals with skills and motivation towards their future.The architectural process is used as a tool to empower the local communities. So the whole concept is about two things - the process and the project, centralizing the users in each phase. The design explores the values of honest materiality, craftsmanship, expressive tectonics, and vernacular sensitivity. Through the deliberate selection of materials and construction methods with the potential to be adapted by local workers, the construction process will serve as a mode of capacity building and livelihood training. The transformed complex will provide much needed space for collective activities for the surrounding communities, and at the same time it will get a new life. Involving the users in the process of making the space will create a total new meaning for them regarding this place. It will become a symbol of change manifested through their effort. Empowering local people to find their own voice, will shape the citizens of a future resilient city, while important sustainability principles integrated in the project will direct the users’ behaviors towards a greener living environment for the future. The colonial heritage is both a means and a goal in this project. It provides the necessary space, and it raises awareness at the same time. The project is not only about the building of a community center, but rather, the building of a community.