KAJIAN PERUBAHAN GEDUNG BALAI KOTA LAMA MEDAN

Abstract

Medan has a lot of Dutch colonial heritage buildings that have the value and character of its own. One of this buildings is Medan’s Old City Hall. The building that is now a part of the Grand Aston Hotel has undergone several changes and conservation process so that they can still standing as it is now. This research is focused on the change that has occured to Medan’s Old City Hall since it’s establishment until present day. The method used is qualitative and descriptive research method. Data obtained from literature research will be studied and compared with the results from the survey and observation of Old City Hall’s present condition to assess the changes that occur and to determine appropriate conservation measures to be applied to the building. This comparison conclude that several changes had occured to Medan’s Old City Hall in several phases of time. The changes are a form of the building’s adaption to suit its function to present day’s condition and a preventive measure to prevent the abandonment of the Old City Hall. However, this changes still reduce the value and the original character regardless of the purpose of adaption itself so that it can be concluded that the conservation of heritage buildings require a deep understanding of the value and character of a building.