A Contribution to the confusion of architectural meaning encountered in sections of Cihampelas street

Abstract

The development and expansion of Cihampelas Street as a result of pressure exerted by the economy is characterized by form phenomena that are currently overwhelming not only Bandung but also other big cities in Indonesia. These phenomena have made an obvious impact on the physical planning of urban areas as well as the urban aspect or facade. A succinct article featuring the outcome of the research conducted makes a serious effort to present an analysis of the literature dealing with architectural meaning as expressed in the actual shape of the buildings. This research into the empirical conditions encountered in certain sections of Cihampelas Street has been conducted gradually, in phases based on elaboration of the various theories concerning classification and communication as applied to architectural form. Firstly, the phase of following Venturi's classification of the appearance of buildings, that is to say "duck versus decorated shed" Secondly, the phase of perusing the literature by borrowing Peirce 's sign-based classification of buildings, namely icon, index, and symbol. Thirdly, the phase of interpreting form by observing the meaning based classification of Morris. The result of studying the literature in stages concerning several architectural forms (considered to be representative of all the ones encountered in certain sections of Cihampelas) convincingly yields architectural meaning adhered to buildings all along this street. It is this particular expression triggered by economic power that has subsequently contributed to the confusion that marks the urban face of Bandung.