From house to café: A comparative study of adaptive reuse in two Rumoh Aceh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30998/jd.v13i4.3577Keywords:
acehnese traditional house, cultural preservation, interior adaptive, local identity, spatial transformationAbstract
Traditional houses of the Acehnese community are known as Rumoh Aceh. These houses hold significant historical and cultural value. Their presence has become increasingly marginalized due to changing modern spatial needs. Some communities have begun reusing these traditional houses by changing their function. One common transformation converts the house into a café to meet contemporary needs. This study examines the application of adaptive reuse principles in café interiors through a comparative case study of two buildings: Rumoh Aceh Kopi Luwak and Rumoh Kupi. The study aims to analyze how adaptive reuse principles can preserve the cultural values as well as the symbolic meaning and local identity of Rumoh Aceh without diminishing its new function as a public space. Adaptive reuse theory serves as the analytical foundation with focus on interior significance changes in spatial configuration and the interpretation of symbolic meaning and local identity. A qualitative method was employed using interviews, observations, and documentation as data collection techniques. The data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model from data reduction to conclusion drawing. The findings show that both café interiors have adopted adaptive reuse principles to different degrees. Several primary spaces remain underutilized. The essence of Rumoh Aceh architecture is also not yet fully represented in the spatial experience. Therefore strengthening local cultural elements is necessary so that the historical and philosophical values of the building can be more perceptible in its new function as a café.
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