Sous Rature dalam Arsitektur Vernakular

Analisis Perbandingan Museum Terbuka TMII dan Dakshinachitra

Abstract

Title: Sous Rature in Vernacular Architecture: Comparative Analysis of TMII and Dakshinachitra Open Air Museum

Vernacular architecture reflects cultural identity, local values, and the relationship between people and their environment. Ex-situ conservation, such as open-air cultural museums, has become one of the strategies for preserving local architectural traditions as expressions of regional identity. When vernacular architecture is exhibited, it often becomes a representation separate from its original context. This study aims to examine how ex-situ conservation may erase, preserve, or leave traces of the meaning of vernacular architecture, and to analyze how aspects of vernacularity can be maintained in conservation practices.  The research adopts a qualitative approach through a comparative case study of two open-air cultural museums, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in Jakarta and Dakshinachitra in Chennai, India. The analysis is conducted through a literature review, visual observations, and critical inquiry, using the conceptual lens of sous rature within the Derridean poststructuralist framework. The findings reveal that both cases experience contextual loss due to relocation. Dakshinachitra, on the other hand, uses placemaking strategies to protect the technical, social, and cultural aspects of vernacular architecture. In contrast, TMII presents symbolic visual representations that are disconnected from their local context. These findings underscore the value of conserving traditional architecture not only in its physical form but also in preserving its meanings, narratives, and ecological relationships.