Abstract

People build houses mainly because of climactic conditions, especially conditions that would not otherwise support human activities. It is because of the houses we build for shelter that human activities can continue despite these adverse conditions. In the Javanese concept, a house or home is a symbolic unity, a symbol of status, and a practical thing. A home in Javanese philosophy shows a dialogue with its owner, responding to changes in time and technology. One's values, and how they grow and change over time, are represented in the changes to a home. A home does not just mean a house to live in, but is also an expression of jati diri (the character of the owner), as well as an expression of social relations within society. Because of this, as the owner's needs change, so too will the home. Home is sometimes defined as domestic life, but it can also be a way of understanding the philosophy of the Javanese way of life, particularly with regard to space and its interaction with the Javanese understanding of a cosmic system. The concept of home in Javanese culture can be expressed through ornament and the structure of the building. It is inspired by feeling, taken from reason, belief, religious values, and magi (supernatural power).

Keywords: home, Javanese architecture, tradition, modernity