From Shipbuilding to Space: A Design Journal

 Research of Indonesian Culture: The project begins with an in-depth study of Indonesian culture, with a particular focus on maritime traditions and craft practices. Pinisi shipbuilding is understood not only as a technical process, but as a cultural act shaped by knowledge, ritual, and collective memory. In parallel, batik is explored as a method of constructing meaning through pattern, layering, and repetition. Both practices reveal a strong relationship between making and identity, where material, technique, and form are inseparable from cultural expression. This research establishes a foundation for understanding how architecture can emerge from inherited systems of knowledge rather than imposed formal ideas.  

 Establishing the Concept: The concept is developed through the translation of these cultural logics into architectural language. Instead of directly replicating traditional forms, the project abstracts the principles behind them. The ship becomes a model of structural organization, defined by ribs, tension, and assembly, while batik introduces a system of layering, rhythm, and gradual transformation. 

 Together, these references form a conceptual framework in which structure generates space, and pattern organizes experience. The architecture is therefore conceived as a synthesis of constructive clarity and spatial complexity.

 Urban Development of the Concept: At the urban scale, the project is positioned as an interface between the built environment and the natural context of water. It responds to its surroundings by extending circulation paths and visual connections, creating a porous boundary that invites movement through the site. 

 The building acts as a mediator between city and coastline, organizing public access and guiding visitors toward the museum. Open spaces, platforms, and transitional zones are integrated into the design, reinforcing the idea of continuity between exterior and interior, and situating the project within a broader urban narrative.

 Structure: The structural system is directly informed by the logic of shipbuilding. A series of curved ribs defines the primary framework, creating a continuous system that supports both the building and its spatial organization. These elements are not hidden, but expressed as integral components of the architecture, emphasizing the relationship between construction and form. The repetition of structural members establishes rhythm, while their variation allows flexibility and spatial differentiation. In this way, the structure becomes both a technical solution and a key driver of spatial identity.  

 Form Development: The architectural form evolves through the transformation and manipulation of the structural framework. Starting from linear elements, the design develops through processes of bending, layering, and overlapping. This generates a fluid geometry that reflects movement and continuity, rather than static composition. The form is not predetermined, but emerges gradually through the interaction of structure, space, and circulation. As a result, the building reads as a cohesive whole, where each element contributes to a unified spatial expression.  

 Materials: Material selection reinforces the conceptual foundation of the project. Wood is used to evoke the tradition of shipbuilding and to highlight the tectonic quality of the structure, while lighter surfaces and contemporary materials provide contrast and clarity. The interplay between solid and translucent elements allows light to penetrate and animate the interior, enhancing the spatial experience. Materials are chosen not only for their performance, but also for their ability to communicate the relationship between tradition and modernity.  

 Activities: The program of the building is organized to support a range of activities, including exhibition spaces, circulation paths, and areas for gathering and rest. The sequence of movement is carefully designed to guide visitors through different layers of experience, from open public zones to more focused exhibition environments. Spaces are connected through visual and spatial continuity, allowing for gradual discovery rather than abrupt transitions. The project aims to create an immersive environment in which visitors engage with maritime heritage not only through displayed content, but through the spatial qualities of the architecture itself.  

Spaces are connected through visual and spatial continuity, allowing for gradual discovery rather than abrupt transitions. The project aims to create an immersive environment in which visitors engage with maritime heritage not only through displayed content, but through the spatial qualities of the architecture itself.  

Model photos: