Architecture Adventure: Exploring Alun-alun Surabaya’s Building

A bulding with a long history.

Alun-alun Surabaya is one of the most famous destinations in my city. First of all, one of the reasons might be because the place doesn’t look like typical Alun-alun in other cities. Alun-alun usually is a large, open field for public. However, here in my city, our Alun-alun is different. This area is located in the center of Surabaya and was built on the Balai Pemuda complex, a historic building from the Dutch colonial era. The photo below is the first sight you'll see if you visit this place.

A beautiful colonial building with a stunning dome and a little pond in front of it. This is the main area where people usually spend time and take photos. In some occasion, this large open space is used to host events such as local business exhibitions or culinary events, even aktivitas arts events with a grand stage, which are sometimes held.

According to Wikipedia, this building once served as an entertainment and social center for the colonial elite. Architecturally, Alun-Alun Surabaya is said to showcase a blend of European colonial styles and modern elements, embodying an eclectic style with Neo-Gothic, Renaissance, and Classical Romanesque influences, characterized by the use of gewels, towers, and gabled roofs typical of European architecture.

After the Proclamation of Independence, the building was officially handed over to the Surabaya Government and converted into a public meeting hall, renamed Balai Pemuda, reflecting a shift in orientation from an exclusive colonial venue to an inclusive public space for community activities. This building serves a broader socio-cultural role, serving as a space for expression and a center for arts activities in Surabaya.

After being revitalized, this place is divided into two parts: an open park area with pedestrian paths and a preservation area for cultural heritage sites, and an underground area housing exhibition spaces and historical galleries. In the main area, you will find this building below, which houses the public library. The library is not particularly large, but it offers many books and also a space for study or work. And of couse it’s free to enter.

There are also essential facilities for visitors, such as a spacious, comfortable mosque. The architecture of the mosque itself is beautiful and looks clean, with dominant white color, the same color as the buildings in Alun-alun Surabaya. We also can’t forget the corner filled with blooming flowers and the pigeon cage where you can watch them roam freely.

There’s also a cafeteria or foodcourt upstairs. The concept is semi-outdoor, allowing you to eat while enjoying the surrounding atmosphere or the street view. The cafeteria's location which is like in the rooftop, adds to its appeal. There are also hanging lights that come on at night, creating a warmer atmosphere.

If you have an oppurtunity to explore the overall architecture of this bulding, you will also find several hallways with large doors that somehow seems mysterious in their own way. I’m pretty sure all of the room in the area have their own function, but I personally don’t know much about them. Even just walking around observing the layout of the building is a delightful experience.

Lastly, there’s the basement area. Even if you don’t enter this building, you can see this modern glass architecture amidst the historic buildings from the side of the street. The basement area of Alun-alun Surabaya is designed with a more modern approach and features a futuristic glass dome that allows natural light and creates an open atmosphere.

Once you enter, there’s an escalator takes you to the underground area. This space is used as an exhibition space and art gallery. As far as I know, the artwork on display changes every few months. Some time ago, there was even entertainment like a moving mural that was popular and open to the public for free.

Can you guess what other facility they provide in this basement area? A skate park. It has an indoor skatepark where people interested in this extreme sport can practice for free. Overall, the architecture of this underground area is quite different from the outdoor area, which features colonial buildings. The lighting in the basement area is also warmer, so Alun-alun Surabaya can be said to offer a different atmosphere at every corner.

That concludes our architectural adventure in Alun-alun Surabaya. Considering the fact that it’s free to enter where we just need to pay a parking fee, the vibe is quite pleasant for spending time with loved ones. The building also maintains its structure and historical value as a reminder of the past journey. So, it's not just a public open space; it also witnessing the city's long history and its future development.

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Thank you so much for reading. Upvote for more content like this, and reblog also appreciated. I will cover the details of the facilities when I have a chance to write about them next. See you :)