The Relationship between Balinese cultural values and Balinese house form

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.