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Colonial Layer of Surabaya
Colonial Layer of Surabaya
The urban and architectural identity of Surabaya was greatly influenced by the colonial era. Western architectural concepts were brought and modified for the tropical temperature and local environment during Dutch control. Surabaya's colonial architecture combines European formality with practical solutions for urban order, ventilation, and heat.
DUTCH
DUTCH
COLONIAL
COLONIAL
ARCHITECTURAL
ARCHITECTURAL
CHARACTERISTIC
CHARACTERISTIC
Key Architecture Features
Key Architecture Features
STREET VIEW
SYMMETRICAL BUILDING COMPOSITION
MASJID NASIONAL AL-AKBAR
HIGH CEILINGS FOR HEAT CONTROL
INTERIOR OF LOCAL BUILDING
LARGE WINDOWS AND DOORS
These features were not purely decorative, but served practical purposes in adapting European architecture to the tropical environment of Surabaya.
INTERIOR DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS
(COLONIAL PERIOD)
MASJID NASIONAL AL-AKBAR
CLEAR SPATIAL HIERARCHY (PUBLIC & PRIVATE SPACE)
MASJID NASIONAL AL-AKBAR
SIMPLE GEOMETRIC LAYOUT
Interior design during the colonial period emphasised order, authority, and comfort while maintaining ventilation and natural lighting.
CASE STUDY
PTPN-XI
PTPN-XI
Former colonial administrative building
Strong symmetrical facade
Thick walls and tall windows
YEN KIM HAO's sketching
Balai Pemuda
Originally a colonial social and cultural building
Combines European architectural style with local climate adaptation
Large halls and open spaces for public us
While the architecture reflects power and control, the interior spaces reveal practical adaptations such as ventilation, spatial hierarchy, and material selection. These buildings form an important transitional layer between traditional Javanese architecture and modern urban development.
COLONIAL LEGACY in TODAY'S SURABAYA
Surabaya's cityscape still features a noticeable and significant layer of colonial buildings.These structures serve as examples of adaptive reuse and heritage conservation in modern design practices in addition to being historical landmarks.
Edited by: YEN KIM HAO
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