Much Ado About Nothing

(1/22/2012)

Criticisms leveled at Bali Airport for failing to adequately incorporate Balinese architectural finished in the redesign of the new passenger terminal [See: If this is Wednesday, It Must be Bali]  have been answered by governor Made Mangku Pastika who says the new airport design will adhere to local design tastes and strandards.

Quoted in NusaBali, governor Pastika told a general assembly of the Bali House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali) : “In the beginning, with the early designs there were indeed several models that I rejected; the tower was originally made to look like a Hindu ‘meru’ tower. I protested, saying that this was not acceptable as a ‘meru’ is a sacred structure. (I told them) don’t make a ‘meru’ and they agreed.” The governor also told Bali’s legislature that a number of recommended Balinese design elements have been included in the final design.

The governor continued: “A couple of years ago, I asked them (the airport managers) that the finishes of the airport buildings have a Bali style. My point was that the Balinese elements are included without compromising function. In addition, the design must match the local environs and the technological demands of aviation - don’t go off track.”

“Because at the beginning there were still many design aspects in the rebuilding of the airport that were not in conformance with Balinese architecture, the project was even delayed while they redesigned the plans incorporating Balinese tradition designs and finishes,” explained Pastika.

The governor also objected from the beginning about the over-commercialization of the airport, creating unwanted competition with handicraft producers operating outside the airport.

The governor defended the undulating roof design for the "new" airport, saying it reflected the ocean waves and the role of sea tourism in Bali.

Pastika also said his insistence on the use of local architects and Balinese architectural finishes for the airport has added Rp. 25 billion (US$2.8 million) to the total cost of the airport project and the final design was long ago presented for approval to the Bali House of Representatives. Affirming that the House had already accepted the new design, the secretary of Commission II of the DPRD-Bali attacked the uniformed legislator now trying to create a new polemic regarding a matter already reviewed and agreed by the House.