Circular Interior Principles in the Balinese Vernacular Tradition: Insights from Lontar Kaputusan Sang Anala

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.9744/dimensiinterior.18.2.%25p

Keywords:

Balinese vernacular interior, circular interior design, Kaputusan Sang Anala, architectural manuscript, regenerative design

Abstract

This study interprets the Lontar Kaputusan Sang Anala as a textual foundation for understanding circular interiority in Balinese vernacular architecture. Through directed content analysis and interpretive reading, six micro-cycles were identified—systemic integrity, regenerative threshold, controlled reversibility, ritualized maintenance, adaptive repositioning, and ritualized reset—forming what is proposed as the Balinese Vernacular Interior Cycle Concept. The findings reveal that Balinese architecture sustains spatial continuity through cyclical regeneration of structure, ritual, and meaning, long before modern circular design theories emerged. Beyond conceptual insight, this study outlines practical strategies for contemporary interior design, including ritualized maintenance scheduling, modular planning, culturally grounded sustainability indicators, and participatory collaboration with undagi (master builders). The research contributes to expanding global circular design theory by integrating cosmological and ethical dimensions of spatial regeneration, demonstrating that non-Western epistemologies provide parallel, living models of circularity. Ultimately, it reframes the interior as a regenerative organism where balance is preserved through continuous acts of renewal rather than linear consumption.

Author Biography

  • I Kadek Dwi Noorwatha, Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) of Bali

    I Kadek Dwi Noorwatha has been a permanent lecturer at The Indonesian Institute of The Arts (ISI) Bali’s interior Design study Program since 2006 and served as coordinator from 2017-2021. He was appointed as an expert team for the Bali People’s struggle Monument since 2019 and focuses on researching the history of culture and the history of residential culture in Bali.

References

Achmadi, A. (2016). The Other Side of Tropical Paradise: Traces of Modernism within the Vernacular Landscapes of Early Twentieth-Century Bali. ABE Journal, 9–10. https://doi.org/10.4000/abe.10924

Adiyanto, J. (2020). Modern Architecture in Indonesia: A Genealogy Study. ARTEKS : Jurnal Teknik Arsitektur, 5(3), 331–338. https://doi.org/10.30822/arteks.v5i3.465.

Agastia, I. B. G. (1994). Ida Pedanda Made Sidemen: Pengarang Besar Bali Abad ke-20. Yayasan Dharma Sastra.

Alit, I. K. (2003). Kinerja Undagi dalam Pembangunan Perumahan. Jurnal Permukiman Natah, 1(2), 101–108.

Aranha, J. L. (1991). A Comparison of Traditional Settlements in Nepal and Bali. Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review, 2(2), 35–47.

Bloembergen, M., & Eickhoff, M. (2020). The Politics of Heritage in Indonesia: A Cultural History (1st ed). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108614757.

Bocken, N. M. P., De Pauw, I., Bakker, C., & Van Der Grinten, B. (2016). Product Design and Business Model Strategies for a Circular Economy. Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering, 33(5), 308–320. https://doi.org/10.1080/21681015.2016.1172124.

Cappelli, F., Delogu, M., Pierini, M., & Schiavone, F. (2007). Design for Disassembly: A Methodology for Identifying the Optimal Disassembly Sequence. Journal of Engineering Design, 18(6), 563–575. https://doi.org/10.1080/09544820601013019.

Copeland, S., & Bilec, M. (2020). Buildings as Material Banks using RFID and Building Information Modelling in a Circular Economy. Procedia CIRP, 90, 143–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2020.02.122

Covarrubias, M. (2018). Island of Bali. Routledge.

Crist, J. D., & Tanner, C. A. (2003). Interpretation/Analysis Methods in Hermeneutic Interpretive Phenomenology. Nursing Research, 52(3), 202–205. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006199-200305000-00011.

Davison, J. (with Granquist, B., Enu, N., & Mubinas Hanafi). (2014). Balinese Architecture. Periplus Editions (HK) Limited.

Durmišević, E. (2024). Reversible Building Design Studios During Green Design Biennale. In The Pedagogies of Re-Use (1st ed., pp. 214–223). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032665559-21.

Dwi Noorwatha, I. K., Santosa, I., Prasetyo Adhitama, G., & Gede Rai Remawa, A. A. (2024). Design Methods of Vernacular Architecture: Insights from Ngundaginin by Undagi: Bali, Indonesia. International Society for the Study of Vernacular Settlements, 11(2), 18–38. https://doi.org/10.61275/ISVSej-2024-11-02-02.

Dwijendra, N. K. A. (2010). Arsitektur Rumah Tradisional Bali Berdasarkan Asta Kosala Kosali (3rd edn). Udayana University Press & CV. Bali Media Adhikarsa.

Dwijendra, N. K. A., & Adhika, I. M. (2022). The Resilience of Undagi’s Role in Traditional Balinese Architecture Based on Asta Kosala Kosali in Bali, Indonesia. Res Militaris (Resmilitaris.Net), 12(6), 1099–1113.

Ellen Macarthur Foundation. (2021). The Circular Economy Introduction. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview.

Ergo Office Plus. (2025, April 25). Circular Design Principles in Interior Design and Why They Matter. https://www.ergoofficeplus.com/circular-design-principles-in-interior-design-and-why-they-matter.

Finch, G., Martin, K., Ransfield, L., & Waddington, B. (2023). XFrame Circular Interior Design Guide (March 2023). XFrame.

Francione, G. (2012a). Bali Houses: New Wave Asian Architecture and Design. Tuttle Publishing.

Francione, G. (2012b). Bali Modern: The Art of Tropical Living. Tuttle Publishing.

Gelebet, I. N. (1986). Arsitektur Tradisional Daerah Bali (Ign. A. Puja, Ed.). Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan Provinsi Bali.

Ghisellini, P., Cialani, C., & Ulgiati, S. (2016). A review on Circular Economy: The Expected Transition to a Balanced Interplay of Environmental and Economic Systems. Journal of Cleaner Production, 114, 11–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.09.007.

Gravagnuolo, A., Angrisano, M., & Fusco Girard, L. (2019). Circular Economy Strategies in Eight Historic Port Cities: Criteria and Indicators Towards a Circular City Assessment Framework. Sustainability, 11(13), 3512. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11133512.

Gunawan, Y. (2012). Undagi’s Sustainable Architecture. Surveys on Vernacular Architecture. Their Significance in the 20th Century Architectural Culture. CEAA, Porto.

Howe, L. E. A. (1983). An introduction to the Cultural Study of Traditional Balinese Architecture. Archipel, 25(1), 137–158. https://doi.org/10.3406/arch.1983.1812.

Hsieh, H.-F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three Approaches to Qualitative Content Analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277–1288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732305276687.

Kagami, H. (1988). Balinese Traditional Architecture in Process. The Little World Museum of Man.

Malé-Alemany, M., Schoen, T. J. N., Bors, V. T. B., Yap, S. B. S., Jooshesh, J., Bega, T., Gehring, S., Pelt, M. M. J., & Mies, J. J. (2025). Circular Wood for Interior Design—Opportunities for Residual Wood Use, Powered by Industry 4.0 Technologies. In Structures and Architecture (1st edn, pp. 663–670). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003658641-80.

Mang, P., & Reed, B. (2012). Designing from Place: A Regenerative Framework and Methodology. Building Research & Information, 40(1), 23–38. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2012.621341.

Nikanaya, I. N., Suatika, I. K., Candrawati, I. A. K., Badra, S. G., Sura, I. G., Pudartha, I. B. P., Dalem, I. G. K., Dunia, I. W., Narka, I. W., Seni, N. P., & Kerthi, N. M. (2007). Asta Kosala Kosali Asta Bhumi Eka Pratama Dharma Kahuripan. Dinas Kebudayaan Provinsi Bali.

Noorwatha, I. K. D., & Santosa, I. (2023). Preserving Traditional Balinese architecture: Exploring the Relevance of Undagi’s Indigenous Knowledge in Post-pandemic Interior Design. Dewa Ruci, 18(1). https://jurnal.isi-ska.ac.id/index.php/dewaruci/article/view/5187.

Noorwatha, I. K. D., Santosa, I., & Adhitama, G. P. (2024a). The Impact of Integrating Undagi Indigenous Knowledge with Contemporary Interior Design Curriculum Content on Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). KnE Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v9i32.17446.

Noorwatha, I. K. D., Santosa, I., Adhitama, G. P., & Remawa, A. A. G. R. (2024b). East meet West: The Balinese Undagi -Dutch architect cross-cultural design collaborations in Bali early colonial era (1910-1918). Cogent Arts & Humanities, 11(1), 2390792. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2024.2390792.

Noorwatha, I. K. D., Santosa, I., Adhitama, G. P., & Remawa, A. A. G. R. (2025). Iconographic Analysis on Intermediality Transfer of Undagi’s Indigenous Knowledge Lexicon to Visual Cinematography. Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education, 25(1), 28–43. https://doi.org/10.15294/harmonia.v25i1.29131.

Oliveira, J. D., Schreiber, D., & Jahno, V. D. (2024). Circular Economy and Buildings as Material Banks in Mitigation of Environmental Impacts from Construction and Demolition Waste. Sustainability, 16(12), 5022. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16125022.

Oliver, P. (1997). Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World: Cultures and habitats. Cambridge University Press.

Ostapska, K., Rüther, P., Loli, A., & Gradeci, K. (2024). Design for Disassembly: A Systematic Scoping Review and Analysis of Built Structures Designed for Disassembly. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 48, 377–395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2024.05.014.

Rapoport, A. (1969). House Form and Culture. Prentice-Hall.

Rashdan, W., & Ashour, A. F. (2024). Heritage-Inspired Strategies in Interior Design: Balancing Critical Regionalism and Reflexive Modernism for Identity Preservation. Heritage, 7(12), 6825–6856. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage7120316.

Rubinstein, R. (1996). Colophons as a Tool for Mapping the Literary History of Bali: Ida Pedanda Made Sidemen - Poet, Author and Scribe. Archipel, 52(1), 173–191. https://doi.org/10.3406/arch.1996.3361.

Savitri, M. A., & Amalia, F. (2025). Circular Design Strategy for Sustainable Campus Architecture and Interior in Bandung. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1488(1), 012052. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1488/1/012052.

Schefold, R., Nas, P., & Domenig, G. (2004). Indonesian Houses: Tradition and Transformation in Vernacular Architecture. NUS Press.

Stahel, W. R. (2019). The Circular Economy: A User’s Guide. Routledge.

Suandra, I. M. (1991). Keputusan Sanghyang Anala (1st ed.). Upada Sastra.

Swastika, I. K. P. (2014). Sangging Tatah-Pati-Undagi. Paramita.

Wijaya, M. (2016). Architecture of Bali: A Sourcebook of Traditional and Modern Forms. Editions Didier Millet.

Wiryomartono, B. (2014). Dwelling as Dharma: A Hindu–Balinese Experience of Building and Living in Modernity. In B. Wiryomartono, Perspectives on Traditional Settlements and Communities (pp. 69–89). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-4585-05-7_5.

Wu, J., Ju, L.-H., Lin, P.-H., & Lyu, Y. (2022). The Relationship between Form and Ritual in Cultural Sustainability. Sustainability, 14(15), 9157. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159157.

Xu, H., Zhao, J., Jin, C., Zhu, N., & Chai, Y. (2025). Research on the Multi-Sensory Experience Design of Interior Spaces from the Perspective of Spatial Perception: A Case Study of Suzhou Coffee Roasting Factory. Buildings, 15(8), 1393. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081393.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-03