Mataram Kingdom is located in central java, although in the history, the kingdom was split into two sub-kingdom, namely Ngayogyakarto (the city of Jogjakarta) and Surakarta (the city of Solo or Surakarta), the two shared the same root tradition and even came from a single family ancestor. What we about to see is an acculturation of Islam and Javanese culture, which is essential to understand the style of these mosques. There are 3 mosques that stands until today. The oldest would be in Kotagede, built on 1640 by Sultan Agung …

Malls and shopping centres have become, like it or not, an integral part of our urban lifestyle. Metropolitan cities in Indonesia such as Surabaya, and Jakarta,are basically flooded with this type of shopping facility. As shopping, and/or, mall-hopping has become a culture, some people actually spend all day in shopping centers, even consider them as family recreation facility!
As Moslems, we are obliged to pray 5 times daily, and for people who practically spend their entire day in malls, either as staff or visitor, this generates a need for Mushallas to …

On Islamic Architecture
January 15: Yarshater Lectures at SOAS Lecture, United Kingdom
January 16: Heritage Issues of Hampi,Conference India
January 21: Contemporary Arab American Art Exhibition, United States
January 23: Conservation of Biodiversity in Protected Areas: Opportunities and Challenges, Conference India
January 29: 11th International Conference on Humane Habitat (ICHH) 2009, Conference India

http://www.archnet.org/calendar/

Architecture has evolved from ancient time to now in many different forms and functions. One thing we have to understand that they all come from a simple understanding of ‘space’.

As New Year had just passed, which is also a form of Roman culture invested in our life, festivities are bound to take place on all earth surface; fireworks, parties, heavy conjunctions, shopping activities and so on. So, what’s this got to do with architect as a profession?

When flying across the Alps that evening, I was seeing the beautiful snow caps and take with me a freeze frame in my mind, just how wonderful the world is. And that gives me a sense of awareness, how this journey to Venice would be a different experience than many others. The journey from Weimar took almost 12 hours by it self to reach Venice in the evening, but this time I would bring with me a moment of architect’s soul in me.
bienalle venice 2008