Penelehhistory.com: Surabaya (23/10/24) – A Dutch couple, Max Meijer and Petra Timmer, shared their views on Gedung Singa Algemeene at Lodji Besar Peneleh Surabaya on Thursday night (23/10/24). This event was organized by Begandring Soerabaia, which regularly holds discussions related to Surabaya’s history.
Heritage Experts from TiMe Amsterdam
Petra Timmer and Max Meijer are professional researchers in the heritage field. They manage a heritage consultancy called TiMe Amsterdam. TiMe Amsterdam has been collaborating with Begandring Soerabaia to revitalize Peneleh European Cemetery in the program named Peneleh as a Living Library 2024.
Research Presentation by Petra Timmer
During the discussion that evening (23/10/24), Petra Timmer shared her views on Gedung Singa in a presentation titled “New Perspective on Berlage’s.” Petra and the Berlage in the Nusantara (BdN) team have been researching Gedung Singa, a monumental building from the early 19th century. The building stands out and differs from other structures of that time, not only in Surabaya but throughout Indonesia (formerly the Dutch East Indies).
Petra divided her presentation into three parts: design and style, the building’s construction history, and audience feedback on her research findings.
“I am not giving a lecture but sharing about my ongoing research on Gedung Singa,” said Petra at the start of her presentation.
Design and Architectural Style
In the first part of her presentation, Petra discussed the decorations and ornaments at the building’s facade, including the dormers on the roof and the building’s general architecture.
“This part is the one that I didn’t see before. I found it just two months ago and it surprised me,” explained Petra about the finishing style at the top of the building (crown).
The top section of the building (crown) features dormer frames and fascia boards adorned with ornaments similar to traditional Torajan houses. Alongside colorful paint decorations, the window frames also reflect Javanese architectural models—a blend of local genius from the Nusantara.
Collaboration of Three Experts
Gedung Singa is the result of collaboration between an architect and two artists. The architect was Berlage, while the artists were Mendes Da Costa and Jan Toorop.
Petra invited the audience to observe the building’s physical features, which are the result of collaboration among three experts. Berlage designed the building, Mendes Da Costa sculpted the lion statues, and Jan Toorop created the ceramic mosaic decorations.
Philosophical Symbolism
One intriguing aspect of Petra’s research is the exterior layout of the building. The lion statues by Mendes Da Costa occupy the lower section (building’s base), Jan Toorop’s ceramic mosaics adorn the middle section, and the crown features local elements combining Torajan and Javanese symbols.
“On the top part, you see the local genius,” said Petra.
This exterior layout subtly conveys the Hindu-Javanese philosophy of Three Stepped Terraces, commonly found at Penanggungan Mountain temple sites, Wali tomb complexes, and Balinese traditions. The three levels represent Jaba (outer), Tengah (middle), and Njero (inner), with the inner part as the most sacred space.
Additionally, the building’s symmetrical design symbolizes balance—a key principle in architecture and a philosophy of life emphasizing balance between personal life, work, human relationships, and spiritual connection.
Construction History
In the second part of the presentation, Petra revealed data and facts about the building’s construction process. The workforce included local laborers, carpenters, and supervisors, with Dutch supervisors ensuring the final result matched Berlage’s design.
The building was constructed in 1901, while Berlage himself did not visit Surabaya until 1923. Progress reports and photos were sent regularly to the Netherlands, enabling Berlage to monitor the construction remotely.
After its completion, Gedung Singa stood out with its modern design, curved facade, exposed brickwork, and vibrant colors—red, green, yellow, and purple.
“Anyone who passed in front of the building was attracted to look at the building,” added Petra.
Colonial Heritage Utilization
Max Meijer, a museologist, suggested utilizing colonial buildings for economic, educational, and research purposes.
“They are colonial buildings but it was in the past. Now they belong to you, the locals and Indonesians, then make use of them for economic, educational, and research purposes. Remember, the workers were locals and the building materials were from local sources,” Max explained.
Ongoing Research and Feedback
At the end of the presentation, Petra opened a question-and-answer session as part of her ongoing research. The BdN team has published a book titled Berlage in the Nusantara to commemorate 100 years of Berlage’s presence in the Nusantara. The book was launched in Amsterdam in June 2024 and in Jakarta in October 2024, co-authored by a team from both the Netherlands and Indonesia. (nng)
