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Up Close and Personal with Temple Ruins

By STORIES OF ERNE
@storiesoferne
Chief Editor
Published: June 3, 2022

_{Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Photo: © STORIES OF ERNE @storiesoferne}

Nested in the country of Cambodia, the temple ruins of the Angkor Archaeological Park of the beautiful city of Siem Reap is a massive collection of religious heritage sites that continue to attract travelers, historians, explorers, and Architects from all over the world.

What is a heritage landmark? Fundamentally speaking, it is a historic site that refers to an official location where substantial traces of political, military, social, cultural, or religious importance have been preserved for many generations.

As much as these significant buildings, structures, landscapes, or other pertinent works of architecture have been valued as a country's cultural treasure, why are they crucial to a nation's identity?

_{Temple Ruins, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Photo: © STORIES OF ERNE @storiesoferne}

Years ago, I was fortunate to visit the temple ruins of Siem Reap, the second-largest metropolis in Cambodia. It was a truly exciting journey for me, as I would finally be meeting the world-famous Angkor Wat face-to-face.

As an architecture student, I used to just admire and study these marvelous buildings in classroom textbooks during my university days. Wouldn't you be super ecstatic if you now get the chance to physically see, touch, smell, and feel the landmark for yourself?

_{Temple Ruins, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Photo: © STORIES OF ERNE @storiesoferne}

The Angkor Archaeological Park, consisting of the iconic Angkor Wat plus other equally historic temples adorning the classical style of Khmer architecture and spanning the period from the 9th to the 15th century, is officially the largest religious monument on Earth.

Upon my arrival at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, nothing could be more overwhelming than the sheer amount of ruins that lay scattered across an encompassing floor area of over 400 square kilometers.

_{Temple Ruins, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Photo: © STORIES OF ERNE @storiesoferne}

There was so much to explore, and it took me a week to visit each temple and immerse in their history, religious significance, and most importantly, their remarkable architecture.

These temple ruins were basically constructed out of the stone materials of sandstone, laterite, and brick. Some of the most spectacular details that attract visitors are the bas-relief sculptures, excellently crafted with high quality, depicting Hindu gods and ancient Khmer scenes, plus other original sacred motifs derived from Hinduism.

_{Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Photo: © STORIES OF ERNE @storiesoferne}

The Angkor Wat is by far the most famous of all the temple ruins in the entire archaeological complex, owing to its extremely stunning design and religious adaptations.

If I were to mention my other favorites, it would surely be the Ta Prohm Temple. Not only was it an important part of the king's Buddhist monastery and university, but it also served as the spellbinding backdrop of the global movie hit, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, where the gorgeous actress Angelina Jolie starred in 2001. As a result, the ruins of Ta Prohm immediately escalated to international fame, thanks to this well-loved film.

In Volume 1 Issue 3 of A+DPOST™, the official magazine of the Architecture+Design Community on the Hive Blockchain, we will be informed and entertained by our Contributing Authors on the heritage landmarks from their countries of origin.

Enjoy our stories!

Sincerely,

ERNE
Architect | Environmentalist | Lifehacker | Adventurer
Creator of Architecture+Design Community
on the Hive Blockchain

HERITAGE: Invaluable Wealth to Love, Care for, and Preserve

By MARCOS MILANO
@marcosmilano71
Contributing Author
Published: June 3, 2022

_{University City of Caracas, Venezuela. Photo: © MARCOS MILANO @marcosmilano71}

Do you know how many Declarations of World Heritage the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has? So far there are ten (10) World Heritage Sites inscribed on the World Heritage list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, by its acronym UNESCO.

One of these heritage values is the University City of Caracas; the Main Campus of the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), founded in 1721 by King Felipe V of Spain. The UCV is the oldest public institution of higher education in the country. In its current headquarters, located in the Libertador Municipality, it has a constructed area of 164.22 hectares and land that reaches 202.53 hectares.

_{University City of Caracas, Venezuela. Photo: © MARCOS MILANO @marcosmilano71}

It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. Currently, the National Government is carrying out maintenance and conservation works due to the deplorable state of abandonment in which it was, a product of government neglect, the lack of budget and investment, and the little sense of belonging of many people who make active life in that house of study and the most recent, the global health crisis caused by the so-called Covid19 pandemic that kept the entire campus closed.

My mother, QEPD, used to say, "Whoever doesn't take care of what he has to ask for stays." Undoubtedly, the above sentence is loaded with wisdom and is as true as the Sun. For that reason; every inheritance must be valued, cared for and protected so that it remains in time, from generation to generation. The Heritage of a country, tangible or intangible, its natural and material resources, its territory, its people... they are the most valuable treasure of a Nation, we are all obliged to take care of it and defend it. Caring is wanting!

_{University City of Caracas, Venezuela. Photo: © MARCOS MILANO @marcosmilano71}

However, not everyone in Venezuela is clear about the constitutional principle of co-responsibility, as you can read in the statements made by the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, on October 22, 2021, the government is not responsible for the deterioration of the University (they had it abandoned):

_{University City of Caracas, Venezuela. Photo: © MARCOS MILANO @marcosmilano71}

"We are moving forward with more than 1,100 workers to recover the architectural, structural heritage and all the spaces of the Central University of Venezuela, they had it abandoned".

Fortunately, in this historical moment, our maximum house of study, our Alma Mater, is being recovered; even if it is to look good before UNESCO.

AMALGAM of Nature and Structure

By PRADITYA
@praditya
Contributing Author
Published: June 3, 2022

_{Lodhi Garden, New Delhi, India. Photo: © PRADITYA @praditya}

In shades of green, the sandstone peaks. Rooted in culture, the heritage of Delhi flourishes.

A very few places tend to accentuate unity, balance, and harmony while justifying the cultural value. Maintained to date stands the Lodhi Garden in its full glory.

Signifying the period of Mughal rule in the Heart of INDIA- Delhi, the Mughals made mosques and other structures to preach and rejoice. This garden is a perfect example of both activities.

I along with my few college buddies, almost four years ago planned a day to visit the Lodhi Garden, which truly turned out to be the best decision of travel in those days.

Finding my balance on the rocky pathway leading up to the main structure, I found myself falling slowly in love with the beauty of nature around me. My eyes couldn’t believe that such a darling of Mother Nature resided within my city which is a total concrete jungle and have no mountain or sea. A total landlock city.

_{Lodhi Garden, New Delhi, India. Photo: © PRADITYA @praditya}

The first activity I focused on was capturing a lovely couple for pre-wedding photoshoots. Well obviously! Why find a studio when you have such a beautiful heritage piece lying right in the middle of the city?

Later admiring every nook, finally got my eyes struck at the main structure with a huge plinth and ceiling and a unique shaped dome. With beautiful Arabic inscriptions on the walls, this structure stands tall just for admiration and is not used for the actual purpose of preaching as it used to.

_{Lodhi Garden, New Delhi, India. Photo: © PRADITYA @praditya}

If you find yourself wondering what’s next due to sign boards missing and well, a huge 90 acres of the land face such travelers every now and then, In such a situation just follow Robert Frost's famous poem: "The road not taken and run through the less-traveled pathway will 100% lead to a beautiful landscape.

The land, greenery, pond, bridges, and cultural heritage truly symbolize the amalgam of nature and structure.

PENDOPO BATIK at TEKSTIL MUSEUM: Traditional Building with Betawi Style

By NNURDIANI
@nnurdiani
Contributing Author
Published: June 3, 2022

_{Pendopo Batik at Tekstil Museum, Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: © NNURDIANI @nnurdiani}

How would you feel if you were inside a heritage building? Will you feel if you are within a unique home? Can you feel if modernity erases traditional buildings? I feel like that. But I also feel a deep admiration when visiting the traditional.

I discovered a traditional Indonesian landmark. It is a pavilion with a traditional Jakarta house design, the Kebaya House. I found out that the architectural design of this building is an existing museum in Jakarta. Last weekend, I visited this textile museum. There are three buildings that really stand out there.

_{Pendopo Batik at Tekstil Museum, Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: © NNURDIANI @nnurdiani}

One of them is a pavilion. This pavilion is in the main area of the building. Before I explain the design and architecture of this house, I want to tell you that if the Pendopo Building was built in 2003, it was specially designed for people who want to learn how to make Batik.

I saw many people who wanted to learn how to make Batik. By the way, for the price of only IDR 40,000, you can take home your handmade Batik cloth. But I didn't have a chance to purchase one. I will visit this museum again in the future to learn the craft of Batik.

Learning how to make Batik is fun. Did you know that Batik is a traditional Indonesian cloth? Each province in Indonesia has a specific Batik characteristic that tells the style of each province.

_{Pendopo Batik at Tekstil Museum, Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: © NNURDIANI @nnurdiani}

Next, let's talk about the pavilion building. This space looks like a Kebaya House, but it has no walls. There is a facade showing propeller teeth inside the verandah.

There is also a fence called Jaro. This architectural piece is made of wood and decorated with Betawi ornaments. I also witnessed other interesting details such as the Tou-Kung elements of construction.

The construction is an adaptation of Chinese architecture which is applied to the elbow of the responder. Tou-Kung is also used for decorative touches. By the way, some of the decorations in this building hold symbolism. These meanings are associated with the environment of Jakarta, during the Dutch occupation.

_{Pendopo Batik at Tekstil Museum, Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: © NNURDIANI @nnurdiani}

I found the sun symbol which is interpreted as the source of life and strength in this pavilion. In fact, it represents dignity for the homeowner. It also includes a chain-like engraving that represents versatility. Then, the symbol of flowers is interpreted as hospitality and peace for the pavilion.

• Imhotep was considered the world's first Architect. He was responsible for designing and building the Pyramid of Djoser and probably other prominent architectural landmarks around ancient Egypt.

• Several traditional houses in the country of Nepal are basically constructed of cow dung mixed with clay, sand, and mud.

• The architecture industry is said to be the most expensive venture in the world due to the costliest buildings which amounted to at least 15 Billion Dollars in creation.

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