Learning from Mangunwijaya

Yusuf Bilyarta Mangunwijaya, often called Romo Mangun, was a multidimensional figure with extraordinary ideas and a remarkable role. In addition to being an architect, he was also known as a spiritual leader, writer, cultural figure, and educator, who successfully combined various fundamental and universal values. This vision is evident in how the values of humanity and simplicity, strength and reliability, as well as the values of divinity and truth in architecture are blended in an authentic process that flows through each of his works. No figure better embodies the thinking and implementation of these aspects than Romo Mangun, a figure who was always restless in uniting human values and divine values, and in this book, he also unites them with architectural values.

This book examines several of Romo Mangun works, namely Mangunan Elementary School, Petilasan Sendangsono, The Church of St. Albertus Magnus Jetis, and The Settlements of Kampung Code. These works clearly show Romo Mangun’s multidimensional vision as described above. Then, as part of a creative effort to preserve these values, an interpretive idea was developed through a workshop attended by participants from universities in various countries. Collaboratively, the participants interpreted Romo Mangun’s thoughts in the form of descriptive narratives and model visualizations. The results were presented in the form of posters and models that were reviewed and appreciated by the public.