Evaluasi Implementasi Arsitektur Walewangko pada Desain Fasad Bangunan Pemerintahan di Kota Manado

Abstract

Title: Evaluation of the Implementation of Walewangko Architecture in the Façade Design of Government Buildings in the City of Manado

The Architecture of Walewangko is a cultural heritage of the Minahasan people, symbolizing values such as openness, equality, and consensus. As the capital of North Sulawesi and the core region of the Minahasan ethnic group, Manado City is expected to reflect this local identity through its public architecture. However, modernization and the demand for functional efficiency have led to a shift toward contemporary design, often neglecting traditional elements. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of Walewangko architectural elements in the facades of government buildings in Manado and to understand policymakers’ perceptions of this trend. Using a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative strategies, the research examines 10 government buildings across administrative levels through facade measurements, content analysis, and semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that buildings constructed after 2014 have largely abandoned Walewangko elements, highlighting a diminishing presence of local identity in public architecture. These results align with broader national trends and underscore the urgency of reintegrating local values through the lens of architectural regionalism in contemporary design practices.