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Banjar
Gerenceng
Traditional and Modern Architecture
 The
village meeting hall or bale banjar of Gerenceng
is a traditional assembly venue of the Gerenceng
Hamlet within the densely populated backdrop
of an urban area. Situated right on Jalan
Sutomo, this hamlet is one of the entrance
gates of Denpasar city. On that account,
with no vacant space available and passing
vehicles round-the-clock, the former agrarian
area has now become a crowded and hullabaloo
urban space. Even the village members are
now progressively evolving rapidly, having
diverse professions and origins. Urbanization
problems have entered the day-to-day life
of its hamlet members.
Such a circumstance requires a movement
of revitalization on the function of bale
banjar to respond to the current conditions.
Another problem is the lifespan of its physical
building that is already very old and should
be refurbished in order the activity taking
place in it can be accommodated properly,
safely and conveniently.
That’s the reason why since 11 June
2006 this bale banjar is set to be renovated.
An interesting point of this renovation
is the preservation of the abode of Goddess
Sri (in the form of jineng or rice granary
building) representing the agrarian community.
Architect
 Beyond
the matter of course, the renovation of
this bale banjar involves a professional
architect to prepare its design. A.A. Yoka
Sara, an architect who is entrusted for
this task is an inhabitant of Gerenceng
Hamlet. He prepares it in the spirit of
ngaturang ayah (volunteer work service without
payment).
As an inhabitant of Gerenceng he is considered
to know competently the spirit and origin
of his home hamlet. Therefore, his creative
considerations, long experience in architectural
design and knowledge in modern works are
expected to be able to bring back the spirit
of traditional building of bale banjar of
Gerenceng as we can observe today.
Working
Process
Renovation works are commenced by performing
a profound study on its past, present and
future condition. Then, this idea is implemented
into the main architectural plan on the
space of bale banjar and rice granary.
The main hall is made in tiered roof supported
by four large size pillars. Its tiered roofs
resemble a lotus with midpoint (peak) called
menur made from copper.
Materials employed on the roof are those
of unfamiliar applied in traditional building,
namely a wooden structure in two circular
tiers and then on its wall is covered with
glass in two tiers.
Such a unique and artistic roof is supported
by four beams embellished with ornament
with piled pattern and details so they fashion
elegant formation with its sturdiness reflecting
grandiosity. In the meantime, in the southern
part is placed a jineng or rice granary
constituting a part of agrarian building
of the surrounding space that is immensely
urban.
Finishing phase of each section is carried
out by well-ordered and modern material
selection. On being seen from Jalan Sutomo,
this bale banjar will give an alluring impression
and settle the bale banjar of Gerenceng
as a landmark at the area on entering the
city of Denpasar.
Urban
Phenomenon
Conversion of village into a city as common
phenomenon found in Denpasar city serves
as a dynamism that should be responded properly.
Gerenceng Hamlet has done it by renovating
the building of its bale banjar. Thus, it’s
believed that this development is not merely
a bale banjar renovation, but also a restoration
and reinterpretation of such bale banjar
sitting in the heart of the city. Saturday
21 October, the inauguration rite of the
bale banjar and jineng was executed by the
inhabitants of Gerenceng Hamlet. (BTN/*/rai)
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