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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

15th

November 2017. Vol.57. No.1

© 2012-2017 TIJOSS & ARF. All rights reserved

ISSN 2305-4557 www.Tijoss.com

12

MODULARING BRICKS FROM TROWULAN

THROUGH ASSOCIATIVE TECTONICS

Indrawan Stephanus Evert University of Ciputra, UC Town Citraland, Surabaya 60219, Indonesia

Indrawan Stephanus Evert.

E-mail address: [email protected]

Abstract

Bricks are commonly used for building materials for common buildings in Indonesia. Bricks of Trowulan has

a potential value of craftsmanship and local aesthetics, it can be seen from the colours and texture. Beside

bricks, there are sculpture, roofs tile and roofs ornament that also made from the same material as bricks.

Most of masonry construction are still using the common principles. This recent research aims to modularing

the bricks formation in oder to find possibilities of mass production through associative tectonics principles.

Associative tectonics is synthesizing the common principles of design in order to generate diverse material

articulation through parametric design approach. Product of this research is the definition of design that

generated by Rhinoceros with Grasshoppers plug-ins and can be used by designer to make a well calculated

simulation of form in order to shorten the iteration processand of course can be developed manually by

handworkers.

Keywords: Modularing, Bricks Formation, Parametric Design, Associative Tectonics

1. Introduction

Indonesia has been known as one of a centre of

craftsmen and as a nation that has a long history

of art and craft. Various artefact findings prove

how powerful art and craft at that time. The

Power of Arts and Crafts lies in the work that

prioritizes the skill and craftsmanship of

craftsmen. It contained the attraction of beauty,

uniqueness and creativity that is showned in the

form of material (Timbul R, 2015). Furtherly, if

its viewed from the aspect of socio-economic, art

and craft industries can contribute in the

economic development of local communities. On

a small scale, the home industry plays an

important role in improving the progress and

survival of local communities. There are many

places with traditional craft industry usually have

their own character and distinctive image,

especially in basic materials used as a source of

creation in developing the work of art craft that is

produced.Trowulan is part district of Mojokerto

City which located in East Java Province.

Trowulan is one of historic place in Indonesia

because it was a place of Majapahit Empire from

19th

Century. It was known by the artefacts that

has been discovered. From these Artefacts can be

seen that the ancient people of Trowulan is a

skillful handworkers. There are three different

categories of materials that define the discovered

artifacts,it consists of Terracota, Stone and

Bronze (Utomo et al. n.d.). This reseach focuses

on Terracota material as main material of

Trowulans Bricks. Beside of handicraft products,

Trowulan bricks are also excellent products that

support the local economy. Traditional brick

processes, shapes and its applications are still

untouched by modern technology and design

methods. The brick-making process is highly

dependent on the weather situation, the dimension

that mostly used are 240x115x52 (LxWxD)

(Akmal 2010) in the form of a box and its

application is mostly for common masonry wall.

Bricks formations still follow the traditional

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formations or follow the standard construction of

conventional bricks. From ancient temple of

Majapahit that located in Trowulan, its tectonic

quality shows the image of Majapahit culture.

Trowulan brick has a distinctive red color of

Majapahit Temple. Despite of its value, the brick

industry situation in recent years is not going

well. Traditional bricks have to compete with

lightweight concrete that manufactured by

modern industry. The price is more affordable,

not labor intensive and does not depend on the

weather situation. The younger generation tends

to leave the business and choose to work in cities

or work in different industries. Based on this

situation, this study focuses on the application

process to preserve and reinvent the value of local

skills and materials. The purpose of this research

is to find possibilities to make modular system of

bricks by involving generative digital design as

one of associative tectonics methods for the brick

installation process without reducing the role of

hand workers.

2. Problem

From explanation above, the formulation of

problem can be found as follows :

How to develop the value of Trowulans

Bricks?

How to be competitive with lightweight

concrete industries?

How to integrating modern design

approach to traditional knowledge?

3. Research Aim

Identificating the potential value of

Trowulan Bricks

Identificating the common application of

bricks for masonry construction

Integrating modern fabrication way of

thinking to bricks production

Modularing the bricks formation in oder

to find possibilities of mass production

through associative tectonics principles

Integrating parametric design principles

to bricks application process

4. Reserch Urgency

In general, consideration of the urgency of this

research are :

Considering the material potential for

diverse art and craft products from

Trowulan, which not yet explored

optimally from design point of view,

visualization, production efficiency,and

even to the development of marketing

strategy. Therefore its necessary to look

for different perspective in processing

and exploring every potential of raw

material materials and Art Crafts

products so it can add value to the

economical products and add value to

the trowulan area and its surrounding

areas.

Considering bricks as one of Trowulan

products that made by many

communities and local residents are still

done traditionally and has been done for

generations without the touch of

innovation and design modifications,

therefore required a breakthrough -the

new breakthroughs through diverse ideas

that can be applied as an element of

architectural interiors or new craft

comodity that produced by Trowulan

people

5. Research Scope

This research is one of series exploration that

will explore the type of material that is widely

used as the basic material of typical craft from

Trowulan area, Mojokerto . Nowadays,type of

crafts comodity that still made manually is a

sculpture made from raw bronze, stone sculpture

made of stone and various types of pottery and

local bricks made from clay (teracota). Each

material will be analyzed from a historical



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perspective in general, describing the

manufacturing process up to identify

opportunities to develop the potential of art craft

materials in the Trowulan region.

6.Literatur

Discovered Artifacts in Trowulan is an evidence

of the long history of the Majapahit kingdom and

it left many traces of civilization in the form of

invaluable artwork. Artifacts that can still be seen

from the historical sites of the ancient kingdom of

Majapahit include the ruins of buildings, statues

and other art objects such as ceramics, terracotta,

stone and bronze. The artwork that leaves the

artifacts is grouped into two namely the art of

building or architecture and art of Kriya (Kusen et

al, 1993). The art of craft according to Kusen et al

are classified into three main discussion according

to the type of material in use as the media of its

formation. The three types of materials are:

ceramics, stone, and metal. Classification of this

type of material in because in reality still found in

many industrial objects either used for display

(souvenir), as well as for the needs of building

construction activities. Bricks is also the main

objects that has a main role in building

construction materials. Trowulan bricks have the

same material as Terracotta crafts and Majapahit

ancient buildings that discoverred also use the

same material. The bricks are made from

Trowulan's distinctive red soil.

Nowadays the bricks fabrication process and

application are still done manualy with traditional

methods that has been taught from generation to

generation. There’s a gap between traditional

industries with modern industries that proposing

better precision and scietifically calculated

material.

Digital Technology development makes an

opportunity to apply an inter-relationship between

technology and design. Digital design and

manufactured technologies are bridging the

design studies to practices. According to Sheila

Kennedy (Kenedy, 2011) there are two types of

design practices first, horizontal model that

enquiring a good understanding of design model

and knowledge. Second, vertical model that

underlining the synthesis of new techniques by

doing experiments of design and embedded

technologies.

Associative Tectonics

Tectonics based of Historical refrences. Tectonics

word or Tekton originaly from Greek word that

means carpenter or builder. It is a concept that

defines the relationship between architectural

design and its structures and materials. The

relationship between Architectures and structures

was changing from time to time influenced by its

periods (R.Oxman,2010). There are concept of

tectonics that defines its relation to informed

tectonics. 1.Vernacular Tectonics was the origin

of tectonics expression. Vernacular design always

expressing the essence of material technology. In

the Vernacular traditional material technologies

evolve to become buildings system. The system

are strongly related to material origin and

construction process. The Expression of

vernacular tradition are an implicit “poetics” or

explicative theory. The Traditional House of

Japan is a good example of vernacular tectonics,

providing an essential expression of construction

potentials of material.2. Tectonic as Culture :

prioritizing building and construction, since the

19th Century and through modern periods can be

seen that the theory of tectonic evolve through the

nature of design. According to Frampton “the

poetry of constructions” is the foundation of

modern Architecture and shape, structures and

materials still interpretated separately. This

condition brings a closer exploration of tectonics

to contemporary definition in which fabrication

and manufacturing are viewed as parametric

systems. 3. Associative Tectonics as virtual and

physical materiality. There are various different

approaches of digital tectonics in the last decade :

1. Associative tectonics as virtual materiality, a

virtual computational space is an accommodation



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of material representation. 2. Associative

tectonics as physical materiality, digital tectonics

was related to dynamic factors of motion,

information, generation and fabrication. 3.

Associative tectonics as fabricated materiality 4.

Digital Tectonics as structured materiality, digital

technologies make technological possibilities

more affordable 5. Associative tectonics as digital

form-finding and morphogenetic processes,

related to form-finding processes and in-nature 6

Associative tectonics as adaptive materiality,

adaptive building required an adaptive material by

system performance of material.(Oxman 2012).

Associative means that the designer can control

and define objects by making an input-output

mapping but also occur as mathematical

expression.

Fig.1 Scheme of Vernacular Tectonic to Informed Tectonics concept

Parametric and Associative description

There a many definition and explanation about

Parametric and Associative. This research are

focusing on the concept of combining: object-

orientation, parameters (parametric), association

(associative), definition and single-directional

graph generation.

Parametric is a concept of objects

definition and modification that can be

controlled by users. The transformed

model was occurred through association,

definition and variety solving method.

Parameters can described as properties

or attributes

Associative is an indication that can be

controlled individually by user and it can

also modify associatively related to

object. It can occur as a simple input-

output mapping or visualized as

mathematical expression or can be

described in a multi tree which describes

the generation process.

Definition is a concept that shows that

objects that have definitions can be

processed by a computer by determining

input parameters to outputs, either

numerically, in objects or visually.

Definitions are often considered as

methods for updating, but are sometimes

hidden from the user through input

interpretation automatically. Definitions

can be defined by the user through

packing object logic on a new object

("feature building" in GC, "clustering" in

Grasshopper), with scripting or

programming.

Single-directional parsing is the solving

or generation method to walk through

the association of the input model to the

output as if running through the directed

acyclic graph

Research Methods

This research is an alternative formation from

Trowulan masonry construction. The research

intention is to involving digital technologies on

the design stage The modelling and simulation

process will be done by Rhinoceros with

grasshopper plug-ins. The traditional brick

formation will be interpretated and divided as

modular objects through software. Tim Brown

through the Design Thinking process, managing

the design thinking process based on systematic

stages. Each step traversed aims to produce an

Vernacular

Traditional

Tectonics

Tectonics

as Culture

Associative

tectonics

design approach



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innovation that will ultimately have a major

impact on revenue for product users. There are six

stages of the process in Design Thinking (Brown,

2009).

a. Exploration: Initial stages undertaken to

collect data as much as possible about

the interpretation of users and previous

products through field observations or

dig data from related literature sources.

b. Identification: This stage is an activity to

seek clarity from the information

obtained in the previous stage

(exploration). This information is then

classified and grouped to map thoughts

as the basis for the formulation of the

problems found.

c. Ideation: Activities in the stages of this

ideation is to generate creative ideas

from the results of thought and

formulation of the problems that have

been done in the identification process.

These ideas are based on rationality and

objectivity with unlimited thought.

d. Visualization: The results of the ideation

poured in both visual form and 2D with

3D modeling. This visualization is useful

for communicating things that are

difficult to explain through words.

Moreover, visualization is also useful to

test all the possibilities that exist for the

perfection of ideas.

e. Evaluation: The next step is to know the

feedback from what has been made

melalaui prototype to users and existing

markets. This evaluation is also useful

for correcting any flaws / errors that may

arise in the visualization stage to allow

for better solution findings.

f. Persuasion: The final stage in design

thinking is persuasion, this stage is the

activity that is assembled with the

finished results made for then presented,

both to the users and to those who have

contributed to product development.

The research method used n is descriptive

qualitative research type. In general, the method

to be used in the dissertation research

implementation refers to applied research

methods. Applied research methods used

primarily are the stages of exploration of applied

objects and design solutions. The methods used at

each stage are described in the following research

stages.

1.Research Stages.

There are six stages of research that will be

implemented, referring to the regular cycle

of research to achieve optimization and

validity of research results and adopt

design thinking (design thinking) sarikan

from Brown (2009), Ambrose (2012: 12),

and Lawson (2005: 34).



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Fig 1. Schemata of Stages and Research Methodology

(Self Documentation)



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2. Data Resources.

Sources of data used in this study

consisted of literature review (paper),

interviews with industry (person), and

visual observation directly in the field

(place).

1. Paper : Conducting literature study

at exploration, ideation,

visualization and persuasion stage.

The collected data is a reference to

the art products of Trowulan craft

and the refrences of architectural

tectonics. At this stage the literature

data is used as a reference

2. Person : Data is obtained from

community and person, the result is

used in the stages of identification,

ideation, visualization, evaluation,

and persuasion. Data collection by

interviews and discussions to the

brick industry community. The

interview is conducted at the stage

of identification and evaluation, and

persuasion. At the stage of ideation,

and visualization is done the design

process by architects or designers.

3. Place : The location of the research

object is the community center of

the brick industry in Trowulan

Result and Discussion

Based on Design Thinking stages can be

described as follow :

Exploration Stage

Bricks industry of Trowulan was mostly done

traditionally and it was taught from generation to

generation. It has a same material as Terrcotta

crafts. The material are originally from Trowulans

with a unique red colors pigment. Firstly, the clay

are wetted before production process and its

pressed by manual workers untilit become solid.

Continued by molding followed by drying and

burning process. This is a common stages and

there are no design approaches that used to

develop this condition. Compare to manufactured

lightweight concrete, traditional bricks are lack of

precision and quality control. Despite of its

deficiency, most of people are still have an

interest to use it because of its uniqueness from

texture, colours and its affordable price.

Fig.3 Traditional bricks industry



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Fig.3 Common bricks application

Masonry wall in Indonesia is a labor intensive

becauseit has to be stacked and arranged

manually. Each single row should be controlled

and kept dry by every workers. The result are

strongly dependent on workers skill. In Indonesia

there are 3 general types of Bricks 1. Handmade

Bricks is the bricks that made manually, very

affordable and the quality are strongly depend on

weather condition. 2. Pressed Bricks process was

made in factory with a modern machine. Bricks

was burned in the oven in a high temperature

(1000 celcius) and it was cooled for 48-72 hours.

Pressed Bricks have a better quality. 3. Tiles

Bricks is a type of brick that being used for

finishing or decoration purposes. There are also 4

different way of bond of bricks 1. Stretcher Bond

or known as Running Bond is the longer narrow

face of the bricks. It was a simple repeating

pattern. 2. Header or heading bone is the short

square face of the bricks. It was used for

construction of walls. 3. English Bond is a

combination between stretcher and header bond.

4. Flemish Bond, also known as Dutch bond, is

created by laying alternate headers and stretchers

in a single course.(Akmal 2010). Most of

designers or Architects are designing based on

individual experience and this knowledge.

Identification Stage

Gottfried Semper (1803-1879) mentions tectonics

describes the different material order physically

and structurally in architecture is a cultural

phenomenon. (Oxman 2012). This statement can

be seen on Tikus Temple and Wringin Lawang.

(fig.4). According to Frampton, the material

usage and brick layering formation gives

a ”poetic of construction” expression.



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Fig.4 Candi Tikus built in 15

th century

Fig.4 Wringin Lawang built in 15

th century

Ideation,Visualization and Evaluation

As explained above can be viewed that designers

are strongly dependent on their individual

experience and technical information and the

workers are dependent on regular activity that has

been repeated from time to time. As mentioned by

Kennedy, there two typesof design practices first

horizontal model that need a strong understanding

of design model and knowledge. Second, vertical

model that synthesizing the experiments of design

with embedded technologies. Associative

tectonics is digital form-finding and

morphogenetic processes, related to form-finding

processes and in-nature. Associative design

process are giving an opportunity to secondary

(after designers) users to give an input-output

parameters. There two ways of design approach

there are top down and bottom up as trial and

error process. Some steps can not be specified for

certain model to fit in. Bottom-up is a collected

system from its individual elements. Both system

are connected during iteration process until the

result can be defined clearly.



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Rhinoceros software make a possibilities to transform Cartesian Coordinate system into UV. It has a

capabilities to apply colours,material and even geometry on its triangular surfaces.

Solution

General

concept Spatial

geometry

Geometrical

Constraint

Solution

Material

Constraint

Building

Components

Solution

Constraint



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Planar Surface created by grasshopper definition

From image above, there is a planar surface that divided by a series of point that created by grasshopper

definition. Associative tectonics is a capability of object to be modified associatively through a simple input-

output mapping.

The sum of point can be controlled by numeric slider



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The sum of point can be a nodes for amplitude

As shown, a series of points is a nodes to build a wavy curve. By controlling the position of points that

created by hyperbolic formula, the amplitude of curve can be controlled through a numbers sliders.

Mirrored Surface

The designed surface can be mirrored. It gives a possibilities to make a modular construction system that can

be applied for prefabrication constructions element.

Bricks formation applied to designed modular surface

Bricks formation can be applied onto designed surface by slicing its surface into a serial of lines. These lines

was used as a path to locate the bricks. The contour lines and the sum of bricks can controlled by user

through number sliders.



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Control sliders of contour lines

Control sliders of bricks volume

Applied bricks onto surface



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Modular system

Solution and Conclusion From the explanation above can be seen that the

core definition can be plugged into different kind

of lofts. The building process for construction

may depend upon reinterpretation of specific

tectonic properties. Since the Trowulan village

have a highly skilled workers, specific design can

easily implemented. The knowledge of

structures,materials,construction method is a key

factor in creation of parametric design. The next

phase of this process is to build a scale model.

Scale models are printed with 3d printer. 3D

printer works based on contouring procedurs,

from printing process can be seen possibilities to

build it. Parametric design approach and material

based design fabrication are now integrated in one

singleline process.(fig.24)



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Conclusion

The emerging technologies of fabrication and

design software has been seen as a possibilities to

find alternatives creation of manual craft. Within

the framework of parametric design approach,the

formation of bricks layering can be described as a

process that enhance the integration between

tectonic properties of construction rules (masonry

bond) within the logic and the rationale of

fabrication technologies. The knowledge of

tectonics and parametric design are become the

main concept to bridge the relation between

tradition and contemporary design

approach.Parametric design has been introduced

as a basis to find an alternative ways to produce

traditional craft.

Refrences

1. Akmal, Imelda. 2010. Seri Rumah Ide :

Bata. 1st ed. ed. Fialita F. jakarta: PT

Gramedia PustakaUtama.

https://www.getscoop.com/id/buku/seri-

rumah-ide-bata-kuat-awet-indah-eksotis.

2. Iwamoto, Lisa. 2010. Architecture briefs.

Digital Fabrications :architectural and

Material Techniques.

http://www.papress.com/html/

book.details.page.tpl?cart=12577726286

0796& isbn=9781568987903.

3. Krish, Sivam. 2011. “A Practical

Generative Design Method.” CAD

Computer Aided Design 43(1): 88–100.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cad.2010.09.0

09.

4. Mullen, T. 2009. MasteringBlender. 1st

ed. Indiana: Wiley Publishing.

http://as.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTit

le/productCd-1118275403.html.

5. Murdock, K L. 2008. 3DS Max 2009

Bible. 1st ed. Indiana: Wiley Publishing.

6. Oxman, Rivka. 2012. “Informed

Tectonics in Material-Based Design.”

Design Studies 33(5): 427–55.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.destud.2012.0

5.005.

7. Utomo, Tri Noviyanto P et al.

“Identifikasi Potensi Pengembangan

Produk Untuk Arsitektur Interior

Berbasis Karakteristik Material Seni

Kerajinan Trowulan.” : 5–21.

http://journal.uc.ac.id/index.php/AKSEN

/article/view/230/213.

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