Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Bandung, Tropical Art Deco

We had never heard of Bandung, Indonesia before planning this trip even though it is replete with wonderful period Art Deco buildings, and easily, in our minds, ranks in the top ten worldwide cities for Art Deco. Bandung Art Deco, or Tropical Deco, follows the usual story: economic and building boom in the 1920's and 1930s plus a handful of prolific and inspired architects; in this case the Dutch architects Wolff Schoemaker and Albert Aalbers.

But first: the 8-hour train from Yogyakarta to Bandung starting with loading at Yogya Station.
Train from Yogyakarta to Bandung, Indonesia

On route. This couple across the aisle got our of their seats at each stop. Why? I followed them the 5th time. She to the toilet; he to smoke.
Train from Yogyakarta to Bandung, Indonesia

Coffee + power for your electronic devices + cassava chips + a view = Nice.
Train from Yogyakarta to Bandung, Indonesia

Train from Yogyakarta to Bandung, Indonesia

Train from Yogyakarta to Bandung, Indonesia

Train from Yogyakarta to Bandung, Indonesia

Train from Yogyakarta to Bandung, Indonesia

Riding local transport, called an angkot, up to Villa Isola, first stop on our architecture route.
Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

Villa Isola, design by Wolff Schoemaker.
Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

DENIS Bank, designed by Albert Aalbers.
Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

The New Majestic Theater, by Schoemaker.
Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

Gedung Merdeka by Schoemaker.
Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

The Savoy Hotel by Albert Aalbers.
Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

Bandung Train Station.
Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

Bethel Church by Schoemaker.
Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

De Driekleu by Albert Aalbers.
Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

The Satay Building designed by J. Gerber. Modern with native elements.
Bandung, West Java, Indonesia







6 comments:

Susan in Florida said...

I so much love your blog. Thanks for doing this. What a happy smile that John has in the photo with the coffee!

Kathy said...

Wow, way cool buildings - I had no idea there was Art Deco in Indonesia. I suppose you couldn't find some Art Nouveau as well?

Looks like a good train ride.

WQZ said...

You're very specialized in finding and shooting Art Deco buildings on your travels! It's one of the consistent quests. We watched a Luis Barragan documentary yesterday and I added his casa on the must see list.

john said...

Susan, Thanks! What can be better than Javanese coffee on a train. No wonder I'm smiling. ;-)

Kathy, Thanks! The only Art Nouveau we saw were some Tiffany lamps in the Sultan's Palace in Jogjakarta.

Weiqing, It's always good to have architectural quests when traveling. Good luck with yours!

Liz said...

The pictures are awesome. I enjoy revisiting the beautiful art decco buildings. Pleased to see that the bag Jake made for you is useful.

john said...

Liz, See https://flic.kr/p/ri7E6i

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