The Balinese Traditional Architecture

Bali Personal Drivers - The Balinese traditional architecture can be defined as the spatial structure of the container lives of Balinese people which has been developed by generations with all the rules that were inherited from ancient times, to its development into one buildings with physical characteristics which revealed on Asta Kosala-Kosali palmyra, Patali Asta palmyra and others, along with adjustments by the undagi who are still in harmony with the guidelines referred to.

The Balinese traditional architecture has the basic concepts in formulating and influencing its spatial layout, such as :

1. Cosmological Orientation / Sanga Mandala

• Sanga Mandala is an absolute reference in the traditional Balinese architecture, where Sanga Mandala is composed of three axes, namely :

Tri Loka axis	Bhur, Bhwah, Swah (lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere)
Ritual axis	Kangin (sun rise) and Kauh (sunsets)
Natural axis	Mountains and Sea

2. Cosmological Balance / Manik Ring Cucupu

• In the Balinese philosophy known an understanding of the meaning of the existence of a "umah" (the Balinese house) likened "Manik Ring Cucupu" (the fetus within the womb) as a manifestation of "the law of balance" and harmony between the container with its contents.

3. Space Hierarchy / Tri Angga

• Tri Angga is one section of the Tri Hita Karana (Atma, Angga dan Khaya). Tri Angga is a system of zoning or planning area in Balinese traditional architecture.

Utama (Main)	is a section which is positioned on the highest position, ie the head.
Madya (Middle)	which is located in the middle section, ie the body.
Nista (Contemptible)	is a section which lies at the bottom, filthy or despicable, ie the foot.

4. Traditional Balinese dimension

• In the design of a Balinese traditional buildings, all sizes and scales are based on human organs. Some Balinese traditional name size dimensions are : Tapak, Tapak Ngandang, Musti, Depa, Nyari, A Guli and still many others.

The Balinese traditional building design, must have environmental aspects or pay attention to the basic concepts mentioned above.

Reference : commons.wikimedia.org
Photo : kosmologidanmitologiarsitekturbali.blogspot.com