The Continuity and Change of Contemporary Sacred Space in Balinese House

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-420-4_4How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Continuity; Sacred Space; Traditional Balinese Houses; Transformation

Abstract

This paper examines the transformation of sacred spaces within Traditional Balinese Houses (TBHs) amidst modernization and the growing influence of tourism. Renowned for their intricate spatial arrangements and spiritual significance, TBHs face significant challenges as external pressures reshape their traditional forms and functions. Employing a qualitative approach with a naturalistic paradigm, the study gathers data through interviews with residents and examinations of settlements and houses. The research identifies two primary types of spatial transformations in TBHs: vertical transformations and formal additions. Vertical transformations involve relocating sacred structures, such as the sanggah, to elevated positions within the compound, enhancing their sanctity in alignment with the Kaja-Kelod axis. Formal additions, on the other hand, integrate new buildings to accommodate modern needs, such as commercial activities. These additions are strategically placed to respect traditional zoning and preserve the spiritual integrity of sacred areas. Findings reveal that while traditional elements remain significant in shaping sacred spaces, modernization has led to notable changes in their layout, materials, and meaning. These transformations highlight the coexistence of modern influences with enduring spiritual values, offering a nuanced perspective on the balance between continuity and change in Balinese cultural identity. This study contributes to understanding the resilience of Balinese sacred spaces and provides valuable insights into the broader implications for cultural preservation and contemporary architecture in Bali.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - I Dewa Gede Putra
AU  - Purwanita Setijanti
AU  - Asri Dinapradipta
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/06/26
TI  - The Continuity and Change of Contemporary Sacred Space in Balinese House
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Religious Architecture (ICRA 2024)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 31
EP  - 45
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-420-4_4
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-420-4_4
ID  - Putra2025
ER  -