Seeing the Conservation of Old Semarang City Building from a Biophilic Architecture Perspective

Christian Moniaga

Seeing the Conservation of Old Semarang City Building from a Biophilic Architecture Perspective

Published: 2024-08-20 | Vol 1, Issue 1 (2024)

Authors

Christian Moniaga

Department of Architecture, Soegijapranata Catholic University, Semarang 50234, Indonesia

Abstract

The Old Semarang City area is currently undergoing many renovation processes, both physical buildings and street furniture, whose existence supports each other. Conservation and renovation activities carried out on historic buildings and several cultural heritage buildings in Old Semarang City often use the concept of adaptive reuse, where there is a concept of physically adapting the building for reuse with the function of the building adapted to several more significant contexts. Renovation, conservation and revitalization are activities carried out to improve the function and image of buildings and the environment which is the attraction of Old Semarang City. All of these activities must of course also pay attention to sustainability aspects. Based on the 13 points in the Sustainable Development Goals agreed upon by the UN, one of the sustainability aspects to consider is health and welfare. This point is the main basis for this research. By using Biophilic Architecture theory, this research will look at how conservation activities taking place in one of the building objects in Old Semarang City, namely the Marabunta Building, have paid attention to the comfort and welfare of building users. Biophilic Architecture Theory is used because in this theory there are benchmarks that can be used to see to what extent building designs pay attention to the welfare of building users when they are active in the building.

Keywords

conservation; biophilic; Semarang Old City; sustainable; architecture

1. Introduction

Conservation, renovation, and revitalization activities in historic buildings, especially in the Old Semarang City area, are currently being carried out. The main trigger for this business is the desire of stakeholders to be able to utilize historical value to become a tourism attraction. Various parties involved in this conservation effort try to restore the existence of buildings and the environment to their original form and appearance. This is mandatory because the majority of these buildings fall into the category of cultural heritage buildings. On the other hand, conservation activities in cultural heritage buildings often conflict with the concept of sustainability. The conflict between sustainable development and cultural heritage conservation is a balancing act between preserving the importance of cultural heritage and enabling sustainable development [3]; Adams et al. 2014; Arumägi and Kalamees

2014; Broström et al. 2014; Eriksson et al. 2014; Fabbri 2013). This is the background to UNESCO adopting the Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape to regulate the negative impacts of urban development on cultural heritage building conservation sites. History and development should be able to proceed in a mutually beneficial manner [12].

The sustainable development perspective in this research focuses on aspects of good health and welfare. This aspect is used as a basis due to the mindset that cultural heritage buildings that are or have undergone a conservation process should not only prioritize their original value but must also be able to provide a good, healthy, and prosperous use experience for their users. This aspect of health and welfare is a point of view that cultural heritage buildings should also be able to respond to contemporary contextual challenges and issues.

Biophilic architecture is used as a theory to see the extent to which sustainability considerations are applied to conservation activities for cultural heritage buildings in the Old Semarang City area. This consideration is because biophilic architecture has design pattern guidelines that regulate how designs can maintain the health and well-being of building users. Biophilic is a deliberate effort to meet the need for contact with natural systems and processes in the contemporary built environment and to improve the physical and mental health, productivity, and well-being of society [11].

1.1 Definition of Biophilia

In terms of terminology, biophilia consists of two words, namely bio and philia. Bio means life and philia means love [15]. Humans have lived and evolved over a long period of time. In this time dimension, human life is always in contact with nature. As we move to the modern artificial environment, our dependence on nature for survival in primitive times is maintained and evolved and it becomes a process of seeking a relationship with nature for 'personal identity' [9]. Therefore, the evolutionary process depends on nature for survival and satisfaction needs, this is the basis of the theory of biophilia.

1.2 Biophilic Architecture

Biophilic architecture has certain patterns that can help architects in implementing them in building design. According to Browning et al. (2014) [1], biophilic design has 14 patterns which are grouped into 3 categories. 1) Nature In Space, this category contains patterns that combine natural elements into space including physical plants, natural sounds, aromas, and direct views of nature. 2) Natural Analogy, this category regulates design studies that give rise to an indirect awakening of nature in a space through the use of natural patterns, colors, shapes, and materials. 3) The nature of spatial patterns, or the arrangement of indoor spaces that imitate natural views through the layout of furniture and design elements that often trigger feelings of safety and comfort is referred to as prospect or protection theory.

These three categories are then summarized in more detail into 14 points of biophilic architectural patterns including, the category of nature in space: visual connection with nature, non-visual connection with nature, non-rhythmic sensory stimulus, varying air flow and temperature, presence of water, lighting indirect and dynamic, relationships with natural systems. Categories of natural analogies: biomorphic forms and patterns, material relationships with nature, complexity and order. Meanwhile, for the categories of spatial pattern properties: prospect, protection, mystery, risk [1].

The application of biophilic design in contemporary architectural design currently focuses a lot on the first category, namely the application of nature in space, especially visual connections with nature [4]. This application applies to new buildings and redesigns or renovations. Several previous studies have explained the relationship between the application of biophilic design and reduced stress levels of building users. Participants in a study on the visual assessment of biophilic design have shown results with lower levels of feelings of worry, anxiety, and nervousness as well as lower levels of heart rate when they were in spaces that had a visual view of nature and indoor plants [2]; [8]. Other research that has been conducted examines the impact of considering the implementation of natural elements in space on visual performance. Shibata and Suzuki (2004) demonstrated how students can show increased performance in work and learning in the classroom when there are plants in the room.

1.3 Biophilic Architecture and Sustainability

This section will discuss the relationship between biophilic architectural design and its challenges in sustainable architecture. Sustainable architecture challenges are identified to reflect different design goals, and the advantage of biophilic design is to review effective design elements [14]. In the last few decades, the concept and views of sustainability in architecture have continued to be widely discussed and studied. Dealing with various environmental issues and crises such as resource scarcity, climate change, and sick building syndrome [5]. Approaches to sustainability continue to be explored, for example starting from energy-efficient lifestyle habits, applying high technology and low technology, vernacular strategies, analogizing nature and natural systems as design inspiration, or implementing smart, renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable materials. These various views and approaches defy a simple classification of sustainable architecture [6].

Currently, the definition of sustainability in architecture is still debated and has an ambiguous concept [14]. Schröder (2018) says that heterogeneity, complexity, conflict of goals, and controversy are normal. He advocates for better exploration of what architects, engineers, and clients need from the concept of sustainability in practice through frameworks and perspectives on sustainability challenges.

Several previous studies have discussed the relationship between the 17 SDGs and the implications of biophilic design. To address the unclear notion of sustainable architecture and develop a more analytical approach and understand how biophilic architecture can contribute to the goals of sustainable architecture, we investigate the benefits of biophilic design in addressing specific challenges [14]. In the article [14] has also analyzed how the 17 SDGs have challenges from a sustainable architecture perspective as well as the benefits of implementing biophilic design and the most relevant elements of biophilic design.

TABLE I. BENEFITS OF BIOPHILIC DESIGN IN ADDRESSING CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

No	17 SDGs	Challenges in Sustainable Architecture	Benefits Biophilic Design	Biophilic Design Elements
3.	Good Health and Well Being	Healthy and comfortable Indoor environment	Reduce air pollution and optimise air quality	air
		Non-toxic substances and environment	Optimise thermal comfort	daylight
		Obstruct disease transmission and bacterial contact	Provide psychological restoration	plants
		Physical exercise spaces	Reduce stress	landscape
			Increase healing rates	images
			Enhance positive emotions	material, texture, colour
			Encourage physical activity	prospect and refuge, peril and mystery

Reference: Weijie Zhong, Torsten Schröder, Juliette Bekkering, Biophilic design in architecture and its contributions to health, well-being, and sustainability: A critical review, Frontiers of Architectural Research, Volume 11, Issue 1, 2022

In this article, some limitations are the focus of the research. Researchers focus on the third point of the 17 SDGs, namely Good Health and Well-Being. This point is referred to see how the process of conserving cultural heritage buildings can have a good health impact on building users, especially in buildings that are being conserved with the basic concept of adaptive reuse.

1.4 Marabunta at Kota Lama Semarang

One of the famous buildings in the Old Semarang City area which has been successfully renovated using good conservation principles is the Marabunta which is famous as the StadSchouwburg comedy building. In its golden era, there was a performance by a famous dancer named Mata Hari. This dancer is famous for his dance creations which are the result of a combination of classical ballet dance with traditional Javanese dance. After the independence of Indonesia, the StadSchouwburg comedy hall was abandoned because European society had left Indonesia. On August 29th, 1956 this building was inaugurated and used as headquarters. However, in 1994, this building collapsed due to age and environmental factors. Building management is then handled by the Rumpun Diponegoro Foundation.

The area of the StadSchouwburg building was then divided into two parts and a reconstruction process was carried out which replicated the interior of the StadSchouwburg building. Some of the original interior elements from the old building were reused in the hall area of the new building. This building was later given the name "Marabunta Building". The front of the building is a new design that is different from the original shape, but this design is adapted to the style of the surrounding buildings which is strong in colonial style. The Marabunta building is currently used as a restaurant named Marabunta Cafe and Resto. The restaurant area as the focal point of the building has its uniqueness which invites many people to come to visit. One of them is a ceiling design that resembles the shape of a ship's hull which has been turned over from the original wooden material of the StadSchouwburg building.

2. Methods and Discussion

2.1 Research methods

The research was carried out using qualitative methods with a Biophilic Architecture theory approach by previously conducting a study on its correlation with sustainable architecture in conservation building process. Understanding sustainable architecture refers to the 17 points of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Furthermore, this research focuses more on the third point of the SDGs, namely Good Health and Well-being. The aim and purpose of focusing on the third point is to look at how cultural heritage buildings that have been conserved can have a positive impact on the user experience.

Referring to previous research, there is an article that discusses the correlation of sustainable architecture with biophilic design points, hereinafter referred to as Biophilic Design Elements (BDEs). These design elements are then used as a tool to see how the existing design is implemented on the research object.

Figure 1. Research Mind Map

The reference for design implementation in this research is to look at building elements that have undergone conservation, especially the interior and exterior of the building. Building interiors refer to the floors, walls and ceilings of buildings that have undergone a renovation process in accordance with the principles of conservation of cultural heritage buildings.

2.2 Data Discussion

TABLE II. IMPLEMENTATION OF BIOPHILIC DESIGN ELEMENTS IN CONSERVATION BUILDING

BDEs	Design	Implementati	Figures
	Strategies	on in
		Conservation
		Building
Plants	Indoor vegetation by plants and green walls, incorporate plants in buildings by using green roof, green wall, facade, and park-like set. [1]; [10]	Plan native plant placement zones right in the main areas of the building.	Marabunta Interior, personal documentation 2023
Animals	Spaces to accommodate animals such as ponds, etc. Animal friendly living areas. Animal figures. [10]	Animal figure as an icon of Marabunta building are still maintained from the original design.

Landscap	Landscapes in	There is a
e	site such as	garden at the
	constructed	front of the
	wetlands,	building
	grasslands.	which also
	Interior	serves as a
	landscapes in	welcoming
	courtyards,	space.
	entry area,
	hallways, etc.	The window
	Windows	openings
	views of	intended to
	natural	provide visual
	landscapes.	access to the
		outside of the
	[10]	building are
		still
		maintained in
		their original
		form.
Weather	Exposure to
	weather
	through
	operable
	windows,
	porches,
	balconies etc.
	Transparent
	roofs for
	enhancing
	awareness of
	weather.
	Simulate
	experience of
	weather by
	sunlight,
	airflow,
	humidity,
	temperature,
	and barometric
	pressure.

	[10]
Time and	Present the	There are
Seasonal Changes	changing in building facade	groups of plants to
	appearance	support the
	because of	facade which
	long-term	will change
	exposure to	shape and
	nature.	color
		according to
		the season.


	Provide views
	of seasonal
	changes in
	plants
	[10]
Forms	Imitate the	Biomorphic
and	contours and	patterns can be
Shapes	motifs of	seen from the
	organisms	original wood
	(biomorphic	texture
	design) in	retained in the
	building forms,	building's
	structural	structural
	systems,	beams.
	components,
	and	Several
	interior spaces.	figures of
		plants, animals
	Biomorphic	and natural
	elements could	elements are
	be	still
	botanical/anima	maintained in
	l motifs, shells,	their
	spirals, egg,	authenticity.
	oval, tubular
	forms,	The dome
	arches, vaults,	shaped ceiling
	domes, etc.	is also still
		maintained.
	[1]		Tekstur Alam, [13]

Patterns	Adopt fractals,	There is a
and	hierarchically	natural fractal
Geometri	organised	pattern located
es	ratios, and	in the ceiling
	scales in	carving.
	designs
	[1]


			Fractal Pattern, [13]
Mechanis	Learn from
m	other species to


	meet the
	functional
	needs (Bio
	mimetic or
	Biomimicry),
	such as
	termites and
	spiders inspired
	the
	the efficiency
	of climatic
	controls
	and the
	structural
	strength of
	building
	materials.

	[10]
Images	Present natural	There are
	scenes, plants,	several images
	animals, water,	that illustrate
	landscapes, or	the presence
	geological	of natural
	features in	elements such
	paintings,	as plants,
	photographs,	landscapes,
	videos, and	ants. This
	fabrics.	image can be
		seen in
	Natural images	paintings,
	should include	window
	a	textures, and
	rich variety of	detailed
	species, land	carvings on
	scapes, or	walls and
	human survival	frames.
	experiences in
	nature.

	[1]


Material,	Adopt natural	Natural
Texture,	materials like	materials such
Colour	wood, bamboo,	as wood and
	rock, stone,	natural stone
	clay, etc.	are still
		maintained
	Consider textures beyond	from the initial design on the
	mate	ceiling, tables
	rials, such as	as furniture,
	light, colour,	and floor
	and	covering
	sound	materials.

	Use natural
	colours such as
	blue,
	green, and
	other earth
	colours

	[10]

Prospect	Conceive	The choice of
and	spaces with two	warm white
Refuge	complementary	light color
	characteristics:	supports the
	open	protective
	views/vistas	effect.
	(prospect),
	and under
	shelters/safe
	environments
	(refuge)

	Achieved
	inside and
	outside
	experiences
	through
	window
	views, and
	balconies, court
	yards,
	colonnades,
	etc.
	Use
	controllable
	lighting to
	design spaces
	with refuge
	effects

	[10]


Complexi ty and Order	Arrange rich details and diversity in an orderly manner Consider natural forms, patterns, and geometries, especially in exposed building structures, facades, and details Choose	Natural materials as elements of exposed building structures.
Peril and Mystery	materials with specific textures and colours or carefully arrange the variety and placement of plants [1] Generate peril using cantilevers,	Maintaining the construction
	infinity edges, transparent facades, pathways under/over water, scenes defying gravity, etc. Creating mystery through wind ing paths, translucent	of old building structures using wooden materials is an attraction that creates the aesthetics of the structure as well as experiencing a feeling of danger in the building.
	materials, imperceptible sound sources, obscuring/curvi ng the edges, etc.


	[1]
Connectio	Provide views
n to Place	of prominent
	landmarks,
	landscapes,
	water
	scapes,
	geological
	forms, etc.
	Use indigenous
	materials and
	native plant
	varieties
	Apply
	landscape
	features to
	define building
	forms or
	dedicated
	landscape
	design such as
	Savanna-like
	environments
	[10]
Connectio	Conceive	There is a
n of	interior-exterior	transition
Spaces	connections in	space in the
	transitional	form of a
	spaces, such as	terrace for the
	porches, patios,	entrance exit,
	balconies,	along with a
	courtyards,	foyer as a
	pavilions,	receptionist
	gardens, entry	area.
	areas, foyers,
	atria, etc.
	Consider
	mobility in
	spaces like
	entrances,
	exits, corridors,
	stairs, high
	glass elevators,
	etc
	[10]

3. Conclusion

The discussion above describes the biophilic design points detailed in the BDEs implemented in cultural heritage buildings after the renovation and conservation process. This research describes the comparison between the BDE points according to Zhong, 2022 and the realization of design implementation in the research object. Almost all elements of BDEs can be answered in the final implementation of the building. How are these design elements implemented, in what parts where are the design implementations, and their contribution to sustainable architecture? This proves that the consideration of biophilic architectural design to create sustainable designs for the health and welfare of building users can be seen in the research objects.

Some BDEs that have not been realized in research objects include the availability of water elements and open spaces with native plants that resemble the savanna, design elements inspired by the biomimicry process of other living creatures, for example, spider webs, as well as design elements that pay attention to the weather by applying roofs. transparent. On the other hand, the application of design elements of shapes, images, and textures that adapt natural elements is often found in research objects. These shapes, images, and textures are original elements that are retained from the original form of the building. This gives rise to another hypothesis about the role of BDEs in the Dutch colonial architectural style that existed several centuries ago in the Old Semarang City area. This hypothesis can be a trigger for further research

References

Browning, W. D., Ryan, C. O., & Clancy, J. O. (2014). 14 patterns of biophilic design. ” New York: Terrapin Bright Green, LLC.
Chang, C.-Y., & Chen, P.-K. (2005). Human response to window views and indoor plants in the workplace. HortScience, 40(5), 1354–1359. https://doi.org/10.21273/
HORTSCI.40.5.1354. Aug.
Fouseki, Kalliopi, and May Cassar. 2014. Energy efficiency in heritage buildings - future challenges and research needs. Historic Environment: Policy & Practice 5 (2): 95–100. https://doi.org/10.1179/1756750514Z.00000000058 DOI: 10.1179/1756750514z.00000000058
Franco, L. S., Shanahan, D. F., & Fuller, R. A. (2017). A review of the benefits of nature experiences: More than meets the eye. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14080864 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14080864
Guy, S., Moore, S., 2005. Sustainable Architectures: Cultures and Natures in Europe and North America. Routledge. [6] Guy, S., Moore, S.A., 2007. Sustainable architecture and the pluralist imagination. J. Architect. Educ. 60, 15e23.
Joye, Y., Loocke, P. Van, 2007. A Tentative Argument for the Inclusion of Nature-Based Forms in Architecture. Universiteit Gent.
Kahn, P. H., et al. (2008). “A plasma display window?—the shifting baseline problem in a technologically mediated natural world. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 28(2), 192–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2007.10.008. Jun. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2007.10.008
Kellert, S.R., 1993. The biological basis for human values of nature. In: Kellert, S.R., Wilson, E.O. (Eds.), The Biophilia Hypothesis. Island Press, pp. 42e69.
Kellert, S.R., 2018. Nature by Design: The Practice of Biophilic Design. Yale University Press.
Kellert, S.R., 2008a. Biophilia. In: Jorgensen, S.E., Fath, B.D. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Ecology, pp. 462-466. Elsevier Science.
Najd, Meysam Deghati, Nor Atiah Ismail, Suhardi Maulan, Mohd Yazid Mohd. Yunos, and Mahsa Dabbagh Niya. 2015. Visual preference dimensions of historic urban areas: the determinants for urban heritage conservation. Habitat International 49: 115–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2015.05.003. DOI: 10.1016/j.habitatint.2015.05.003
Sudarmono, L. D. (2014). Kajian Ikonografi pada Gedung Marabunta di Semarang. Intra, 2(2), 65-80.
Weijie Zhong, Torsten Schröder, Juliette Bekkering, Biophilic design in architecture and its contributions to health, wellbeing, and sustainability: A critical review, Frontiers of Architectural Research, Volume 11, Issue 1, 2022, Pages 114- 141, ISSN 2095-2635, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2021.07.006. DOI: 10.1016/j.foar.2021.07.006
Wilson, E.O., 1984. Biophilia: The Human Bond with Other Species. MA: Harvard University Press, Cambridge.

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[ref-1] Browning, W. D., Ryan, C. O., & Clancy, J. O. (2014). 14 patterns of biophilic design. ” New York: Terrapin Bright Green, LLC.

[ref-2] Chang, C.-Y., & Chen, P.-K. (2005). Human response to window views and indoor plants in the workplace. HortScience, 40(5), 1354–1359. https://doi.org/10.21273/

[ref-3] HORTSCI.40.5.1354. Aug.

[ref-4] Fouseki, Kalliopi, and May Cassar. 2014. Energy efficiency in heritage buildings - future challenges and research needs. Historic Environment: Policy & Practice 5 (2): 95–100. https://doi.org/10.1179/1756750514Z.00000000058 DOI: 10.1179/1756750514z.00000000058

[ref-5] Franco, L. S., Shanahan, D. F., & Fuller, R. A. (2017). A review of the benefits of nature experiences: More than meets the eye. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14080864 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14080864

[ref-6] Guy, S., Moore, S., 2005. Sustainable Architectures: Cultures and Natures in Europe and North America. Routledge. [6] Guy, S., Moore, S.A., 2007. Sustainable architecture and the pluralist imagination. J. Architect. Educ. 60, 15e23.

[ref-7] Joye, Y., Loocke, P. Van, 2007. A Tentative Argument for the Inclusion of Nature-Based Forms in Architecture. Universiteit Gent.

[ref-8] Kahn, P. H., et al. (2008). “A plasma display window?—the shifting baseline problem in a technologically mediated natural world. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 28(2), 192–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2007.10.008. Jun. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2007.10.008

[ref-9] Kellert, S.R., 1993. The biological basis for human values of nature. In: Kellert, S.R., Wilson, E.O. (Eds.), The Biophilia Hypothesis. Island Press, pp. 42e69.

[ref-10] Kellert, S.R., 2018. Nature by Design: The Practice of Biophilic Design. Yale University Press.

[ref-11] Kellert, S.R., 2008a. Biophilia. In: Jorgensen, S.E., Fath, B.D. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Ecology, pp. 462-466. Elsevier Science.

[ref-12] Najd, Meysam Deghati, Nor Atiah Ismail, Suhardi Maulan, Mohd Yazid Mohd. Yunos, and Mahsa Dabbagh Niya. 2015. Visual preference dimensions of historic urban areas: the determinants for urban heritage conservation. Habitat International 49: 115–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2015.05.003. DOI: 10.1016/j.habitatint.2015.05.003

[ref-13] Sudarmono, L. D. (2014). Kajian Ikonografi pada Gedung Marabunta di Semarang. Intra, 2(2), 65-80.

[ref-14] Weijie Zhong, Torsten Schröder, Juliette Bekkering, Biophilic design in architecture and its contributions to health, wellbeing, and sustainability: A critical review, Frontiers of Architectural Research, Volume 11, Issue 1, 2022, Pages 114- 141, ISSN 2095-2635, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2021.07.006. DOI: 10.1016/j.foar.2021.07.006

[ref-15] Wilson, E.O., 1984. Biophilia: The Human Bond with Other Species. MA: Harvard University Press, Cambridge.