Aesthetic Dialectic of Traditional Balinese and Modern Interior in the Mahudara Main Exhibition Building

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FORMOSA NEWS

A research team from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali, consisting of Made Ida Mulyati, Ida Ayu Kandi Darmasuari, and Anak Agung Gede Narrish Mahanatha Dalem, investigated the aesthetic dialectic between traditional Balinese and modern interior design in the Mahudara Mandara Giri Buana Main Exhibition Building (Kriya Building), Denpasar Art Center, through field observations conducted from April to May 2026. This research is highly significant amidst the current wave of globalization, as it offers a solution on how contemporary public spaces can maintain local cultural identity without losing their adaptive modern functions.

In the present era of globalization, local cultural preservation faces serious challenges that risk triggering an identity crisis if ignored. On the other hand, evolving societal demands require exhibition spaces that are not only of high artistic value but also functional, flexible, and comfortable for visitors. This condition has given rise to the phenomenon of blending traditional and modern elements in the interior design of public buildings in Bali.

To explore this phenomenon, the research employs a descriptive qualitative method. Data collection was carried out through direct observation of the building site, interviews with management staff, visual documentation in the form of photographs, and a review of relevant academic literature.

The results show that the building's interior successfully creates a balanced and complementary relationship between traditional and modern concepts. Below are the main findings of the research:

• The traditional Balinese character is strongly showcased through the use of natural materials such as bamboo, wood, exposed brick, and paras stone.
• Various distinctive Balinese decorative ornaments, such as pepatran, kekarangan, patra sari, patra samblung, and patra cina, are integrally applied to columns, ventilation, and kuwadi doors.
• The modern approach is manifested through cream-colored grid-patterned terrazzo flooring, brick-red transition zones, geometric staircases, modular exhibition panels, glass display cases, and a dual lighting system combining clerestory glass openings and track lights.

The implementation of this concept provides a broad positive impact on the fields of architecture, tourism, and cultural preservation. This integration results in an exhibition space that is highly functional for contemporary needs while preserving the living soul and identity of Balinese culture. Researchers from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali emphasize that traditional Balinese architectural values prove to remain highly relevant and adaptive in the development of contemporary interior design to holistically maintain cultural identity.

Author Profiles:

• Made Ida Mulyati – Academic and researcher at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali, specializing in fine arts and interior design.
• Ida Ayu Kandi Darmasuari – Researcher and lecturer at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali.
• Anak Agung Gede Narrish Mahanatha Dalem – Researcher at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali.

Research Sources:

• Article Title: The Aesthetic Dialectic of Traditional Balinese and Modern Interior in Mahudara Main Exhibition Building
• Journal Name: Contemporary Journal of Applied Sciences (CJAS), Vol. 4, No. 7, July 2026, pages 741-750
• DOI / Official URL: https://doi.org/10.55927/cjas.v4i7.209