Learning From The Master – Y B Mangunwijaya

On 11 March 2017, at OMAH, 2 of our volunteers, Carla and Intan have shared their understandings about Romo Mangun in a Learning from the Master session. Romo Mangun, as an architect, poet, and Catholic priest, had published a lot of appreciable works. An extremely interesting discussion took place yesterday in the attempt in reading his architectural works and manifestos.

Here are the conclusions:

1.
Wastu Citra is derived from two words, wastu (guna/use) and citra (image). The term use refers to the level of skill or ability, while citra refers to the level of culture. A correct and true architecture work displays its image, or in Rm. Mangun’s word, ‘beauty is the radiance of truth’ (pulchrum splendor est veritatis).

2.
Panca Sarana Wisma, another notion of him, doesn’t separate a building into a system of head, body, and feet, but rather into a more specific components, which are roof, roof support, base, floor, and wall.

3.
Romo Mangun’s architectural work, generally applies contextual approach: users, time, and places. His works tend to display these qualities: gloom, brightness, and simplicity.

4.
Refinement of Kampung Kalicode was done in three steps. First, Romo Mangun acted as nitiator, while society as doers; Second, the integrated working phase, Romo Mangun acted as leader, while society as doers and idea innovator; Third, the independent phase, Romo Mangun merely acted as advisor.

5.
Romo Mangun attempted to humanize humans, by his Tribina (Three Developments) principles, which are developing humans, works, and living environments. According to Ignatius Haryanto, younger architect generation need to know, read, and appreciate Romo Mangun’s works and manifestos to enrich our design method knowledge. Moreover, Andy Siswanto emphasizes that in designing, an architect must comprehend issues and problems before offering design solutions. Romo Mangun has offered all design methods in his manifestos. However, are they still relevant to the current development direction? Or do we only need to follow Romo Mangun’s wise attitude in design?

Let’s learn and be inspired!