BANDUNG, unpas.ac.id – Gedung Paguyuban Pasundan stood firmly in Jalan Sumatra No. 41, Bandung, has its own charm. Since 2010, the heritage building has been set as Cultural Heritage Group A, Region III (Defence and Security/ Military, Pertahanan dan Keamanan/ Militer).
The status of this building can be accessed on the National Registration System of Cultural Heritage owned by Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikburistek). Its location is next to Kupus III Ditkuad/ Directorate of Finance Siliwangi which is also listed in Cultural Heritage Bandung.
Before settling in Bandung, Paguyuban Pasundan had its headquarter in Batavia. It was in Otto Iskandar Dinata’s order that all activities of central government were moved in to Bandung. Until now, it is located in Jalan Sumatera, next to Faculty of Medicine and Post-graduate/Master Program Universitas Pasundan.
Gedung Paguyuban Pasundan was established around 1905-1915 above the area of 1630 m2-land and 460 m2, with western traditional architecture. At first, the building was a residence for military. In that era, Bandung was still prepared for Dutch government military headquarter.
At that time, there were a lot of areas built to be a military complex, including the Archipelwijk area (lit. lingkungan nusantara). It was named “Archipelwijk” since this military complex is located on the street named after the islands in the archipelago; one of which is Jalan Sumatera.
Unfortunately, until now, the architect of Gedung Paguyuban Pasundan is still unknown. However, as reported by Pikiran Rakyat, this building is thought to have been the work of Richardd Leonard Arnold Schoemaker, the older brother of Charles Prosper Wolff Schoemaker, the Dutch architect who was credited with providing a modern face for the city of Bandung.
The architectural style commonly applied in military buildings was dominated with neo-classical design with symmetry, clean lines and neat. Dutch government seemed to want to show discipline and military power through building design.
Therefore, it is not surprising that Gedung Pasundan Paguyuban uses a neo-classical architectural style combined with a classical-romantic style. This can be seen from the arched window roof ornament which is the hallmark of the classic-romantic style.
Gedung Paguyuban Pasundan is dominantly painted white and green-accent at certain spots. Its ambiance seemed beautiful because it was also planted with various types of trees outside the building, such as palms and frangipani. To enter the front room, visitors must climb stairs that are designed to be conical.
The atmosphere inside the Paguyuban Pasundan building is also very cool, coupled with a large chandelier that creates the impression of luxury. Once inside, visitors will be greeted by a display of antique wagons in the middle of the room surrounded by a row of photos of the General Chairperson of the Paguyuban Pasundan from time to time.
Getting much closer, there is a kind of meeting room flanked by several offices where the Executive Boards of Paguyuban Pasundan take place to work. Uniquely, in each room there is a door that is connected to the other rooms.
Although Paguyuban Pasundan has gotten into 108 years old, its building still lies firmly, like a witness to all management activities that raised its name. The status of this inherent cultural heritage is a reminder for us to always preserve and maintain Gedung Paguyuban Pasundan as Bandung’s historical asset. (Reta)*
