Reproduction of Space and Marginalized Heritage: The Rumah Limas as an Architectural Critique of Urban Transformation in Palembang

Abstract

The Rumah Limas of Palembang is a traditional architectural heritage that embodies the social values, hierarchical structures, and cultural identity of the Malay community in Palembang. However, modernization, urbanization, and the commodification of cultural heritage have driven transformations in its function, form, and meaning from a living space rich in symbolic value to a static visual artifact. This study adopts a qualitative interpretative approach with a case study method, employing Henri Lefebvre’s The Production of Space framework and Roland Barthes’ semiotics to examine the representation and production of meaning in the Rumah Limas. Data were collected through field observations, interviews, literature review, and an analysis of heritage conservation policies. The findings reveal that the transformation of the Rumah Limas occurs not only in its physical aspects such as material degradation and structural modifications but also in its symbolic dimensions, including shifts in the meaning of kekijing and the loss of the space’s social functions. This phenomenon reflects a transition from lived space to conceived space, dominated by economic logic and tourism narratives, ultimately leading to the construction of an ahistorical “myth” of heritage. The study underscores the necessity of a transformative conservation approach—not only preserving the physical form, but also reviving the meaning, social functions, and cultural relevance of the Rumah Limas within the contemporary urban landscape.