Abstract:
This study investigated the relationship between Balinese cultural values and
house form. In this study Balinese cultural values were understood as cosmological
beliefs in Bali associated with traditional house form. House forms were understood
as consequential forms resulted by respondents adapting the house to meet their
growing and changing needs.
In Bali, a traditional house was designed by an undagi (traditional architect)
who follows rules in lontars (ancient architectural scrolls called Hasra Kosala
Kosall). However, the lontars did not provide guidance for house adaptation. The
need for house adaptation was big, in addition, cultural values in Bali changed
rapidly in the past two decades. Thus, the research problem was whether 'Balinese
maintain the traditional beliefs and use them as norms when making house
adaptation. The task, therefore, was to relate two reciprocal factors: an evaluation
of what people expressed as their beliefs and values on the one hand, and the
analyses of the forms of the adapted house on the other hand. To find the answer to
the research problems, three sub-hypotheses were proposed to be tested.
With regard to Balinese cultural values associated with house forms, it studies
three attitude components: (a) beliefs (cognitive factor); (b) attitudes (affective
factor); and (c) tendency-to-act (conative factor). These attitudes were assessed by
attitude measurement using Likert scale. Observation of house form was focused on
six elements (a) existence of traditional and new buildings; (b) layout of each
building in the house lot; (c) the location of entrance gate; (d) building plan and
shape; (e) building materials and techniques; and (I) area of house lot and floor area
of each building. Traditional architectural norm were used to assess the adapted
house form.
Findings showed village respondents held Balinese beliefs and values firmly
than the urban respondents, however, in the examination under conative factor,
urban respondents insist in maintaining the traditional house form, whereas the
village respondents want the other way. Assessment of house form shows that the
bigger the changes in a Balinese traditional house the bigger it deviated from the
norms. Small, moderate, or large changes in house adaptation was related to
respondents' beliefs and values.
This study concluded that in the process of house adaptation, the Balinese
traditional house which formerly followed traditional cosmic order is now subject to
change. Balinese cultural values, although maintained by respondents in general,
were not used as norms and guidance by the inhabitants when they made adaptation to the house.