USM INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE ACADEMIC TRIP UNVEILS BALINESE DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

BALI INDONESIA, 6 March 2024 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) via the School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP) under the Interior Architecture Programme recently held an academic trip to Bali, Indonesia from 27 February to 3 March 2024.

The group, which included 27 Third-Year students from the Interior Architecture Studio, was accompanied by three distinguished faculty members, namely Professor Dr. A Ghafar Ahmad (project leader), along with Professor Dr. Azizi Bahauddin and Dr. Mohd Jaki Mamat.

The educational journey has succeeded in achieving its primary objective, which was to immerse the students in the rich cultural tapestry of Bali and its influence on interior design.

This aligns seamlessly with the Semester Two studio project, aptly named Skala Niskala, which emphasizes cultural adaptation in design.

Azizi Bahauddin expressed the significance of exploring the Balinese concept of Skala Niskala, emphasizing the essence of understanding the spirit of place and sense of place in design.

"What is unseen is always full of hidden messages and values. The silence is always very loud as shown in the meditative space created in the Balinese design," he said.

He further emphasised the importance of students comprehending this powerful design concept and philosophy, particularly in terms of respecting the environment.

"The goal is to instil in them the knowledge and skills needed to contribute towards sustaining a healthy and friendly environment for users," he added.

The academic trip to Bali served as a platform for students to witness firsthand the integration of culture and design principles, providing them with invaluable insights that will undoubtedly enrich their academic and professional journeys in the field of Interior Architecture.

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi/Photo: Dr. Mohd Jaki Mamat