Marginalized Modern Architectural Heritage in Indonesia: The case of transformator huisje (gardu listrik) architecture of the Nederlandsche Indisch era

This study is in order to implement the mandate of UNESCO (2003) on the documentation of architectural heritage of the modern period of the 19th-20th century, where in reality several typologies of architectural heritage are currently in a marginalized condition. As part of the history of modern architecture in Indonesia, transformator huisje (Dutch) or “gardu listrik” (Indonesian) which still exist today, are not widely known as buildings that have important values in the past. This study aims to reveal whether transformator huisje architecture is classified as Modern Heritage, by tracing its historical background. Architectural analysis of 61 transformator huisje was conducted to build a “genesis”—a scheme of origin—of transformator huisje which can explain how this type of architecture was formed in accordance with the values or principles of modern architecture. The study findings show that all design features of transformator huisje as buildings for machines are strong representations of Modern Architectural Heritage in Asia, especially the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). In conclusion, with the finding that transformator huisje is categorized as Modern Architectural Heritage, a strategy is needed to maintain this type of architecture as evidence of modern civilization in Indonesia. © 2024 The Author(s)