The Role of Semiotics in Reviewing Architecture

I. F. Pane

, H. T. Fachrudin

and H. Fibriasari

Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Padang Bulan, Medan 20155 Indonesia

Department of Foreign Language, Universitas Negeri Medan, Jalan Willem Iskandar Pasar V Medan Estate, Indonesia

Keywords: Appreciation, Architecture, Semiotics

Abstract: This article examined the development of architecture from the point of view of communication systems and

understanding semiotics more deeply. The influence of modernization and postmodern forms a diverse

architecture especially the architectural style that develops in the world. In appreciation of architectural work,

it is required an understanding about communication that uses the theory of semiotics as the basic theory in

the formation of language. With the communication system, the appreciation of architectural work will be

hitter because of the understanding of semiotics. By using qualitative descriptive as a method, it can directly

look at the phenomena and facts that exist in the field or object of research. The objects of research were

residential and commercial buildings in Medan City. The results showed that the development of architectural

style in Medan city is appreciated by observers as a work that refers to the locality and event background

factors.

1 INTRODUCTION

The rapid development of science in many fields also

influences architecture. This influence can be seen in

the formation of different architectures in each period

which is related to the development of technology.

Architecture is a manifestation of a distinct culture in

each different place. The distinctiveness of this

architecture is an attraction for the place to visit. The

form and shape of architecture depend on when and

where the architecture grows and develops.

The development of architecture in the world is

also in line with the development of developing

science. With the development of science, the shape

and hue of architecture also has differences that can

be seen from the shape of the architecture as a whole.

Hale divides architectural interpretations into 5 (five)

are architecture as engineering, architecture as art,

architecture as communication system, architecture

as phenomenology and architecture as politics (Hale,

2000). These five interpretations have their respective

emphasis on the growing architecture in the world.

The theme of the study is the architecture as a

communication system because in appreciating the

architecture; communication approach is always

used. This article focuses more on communication

approach using semiotics theory in language as the

starting point of communication. The use of this

semiotic theory can make it easier to see the approach

of communication systems in architecture.

To see the work of architecture or artwork is used

the way of view of appreciation in the process of

architectural communication. This appreciation is

considered suitable for being used in viewing an art

work and architecture (Gauldie, 1969). With the

above explanation, the architecture is studied with

semiotic approach which is seen through the process

of appreciation to the object of research. For the

object of study, it is selected to commercial buildings

in the city of Medan and its surrounding.

The writing that takes the theme related to the sign

system or architectural semiotics is done by Tjahyono

who says that one of the experts who use semiotics in

architecture is Umberto Eco, according to Eco in

architecture, sign system can be divided into two;

denotation and connotation (Tjahyono, 1992). He

sees that in the building, the main or primary

functions can be called denotation while the

secondary function can be called connotation. From

the function of the building, then the meaning that

emerges from the architecture can be divided into 2

(two) namely primary meaning and secondary

meaning. The primary meaning is the meaning which

is originally desired by the planner or architect and

the primary meaning is the meaning that after being

built and occupied arises without going through the

planning process of the architect.

Pane, I., Fachrudin, H. and Fibriasari, H.

The Role of Semiotics in Reviewing Architecture.

DOI: 10.5220/0010090303070311

In Proceedings of the International Conference of Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental and Ramiﬁcation Researches (ICOSTEERR 2018) - Research in Industry 4.0, pages

307-311

ISBN: 978-989-758-449-7

307

Semiotics is a theory that speaks of signs. The

initiator of this theory is Ferdinand de Saussure who

studies the sign system and brings it to the realm of

science (Cobley & Jansz, 2002). Saussure then

divided his theory into 2 (two) major parts that are

signifier and signified and if it is viewed to an object

become form / content or image / meaning. The

relationship between signified and signifier has

arbitrary characteristic that there is no provision

between form and content or image and meaning like

traffic light, if the green light (signifier) this means

the form and color is green, while the go straightaway

(signified) is a meaning of the green light.

Charles Jenks uses this signifier and signified

through the triangle of Odgen-Richards (1923) into

architectural semiotics triangles (Eco, 1980). Jenks

uses the term actual function to refer the actual

function and meaning presented. In this triangle also

described the relation of the three namely signifier

which is a physical form of architecture and signified

which is the concept of thinking from architecture.

These relationships can be index, icon, and symbol

(Jenks, 1980)(Broadbent & Jenks, 1980). The

relationship of this triangle can determine the type of

the sign (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Triangle of Architectural Semiotics

Another approach which was done by Jenks

derived from Louis Hjemslev (1899-1965)

which divides the sign into content as signified

and expression as signifier. Content contains 2

(two) values which aresubstance of content (the

value of philosophy contained) and form of

content (concept in realizing the value of

philosophy). In Expression, it contains 2 values

which are form of expression (physical form) and

form of substance(meaning that is present in the

building) (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Scheme of Hjemslev

In reviewing the semiotics of architecture

required appreciation as a tool to read

architecture as an art language that is understood

through the flow of one's feelings. Gauldie

discussed the appreciation from several ways for

the work to communicate that are the nature of

art; communication and interpretation; the roots

of ugliness; the source of delight; scale, order

and rhythm, weight, force and mass; the

awareness of space; the dialogue of space and

structure; the play of shape; the enrichment of

form; the play of light; judgment and design;

eloquence, aptness and style; place, time and

society (Gauldie, 1969). These appreciation

channels are different depending on the

observers who observe the artwork of

architecture and capture the meaning contained

in there.

2 METHOD

In this study the method used is qualitative method,

because the facts in the field can be analyzed by using

the used theory as a tool of analysis. Qualitative

methods use inductive approach and the fact in field

as research object can be investigated more

comprehensively (Moleong, 2004)(Sugiyono, 2009).

The object of research is focused on existing

commercial buildings in Medan city namely Kuala

Namu Airport especially passenger terminal in Deli

Serdang area. This airport building is an airport that

becomes one of the symbols of Medan and North

Sumatra (Figure 3). This airport building is reviewed

through semiotics to assist in appreciating

architectural works. It is hoped that this method will

be able to answer the approach of semiotics in

architectural appreciation

Signified

Relatio

Actual Function

or Object

Signifier

Conte

Expressi

Substance

Form

Substance

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Figure 3: Kuala Namu Airport -Deli Serdang (Source:

www.transonlinewatch.com)

The first stage of this research is the stage for

collecting data that is preparing the survey and plunge

into the field, searching and collecting data used as a

case study. This stage will be done the sorting and

compiling data based on the patterns of appreciation

in the architecture. This stage will be analyzed to the

data that has been taken with approach of theory of

semiotics to appreciate the work of architecture.

3 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Theory is used to analyze case study. The chosen case

study is passenger terminal of Kuala Namu Airport

Medan. The first step of this analysis is looking at the

overall appreciation of the building and the next step

is analyzing the architectural communication system

by using architectural communication triangle.

Kuala Namu Airport is the second largest airport

in Indonesia, in 2013 officially operates and able to

accommodate 8,1 million passengers/ year. The

airport has direct access of airport train to Medan city.

In terms of architectural appreciation that is the nature

of art, this airport building has a character that

inspires the observers’ sense. This sense is built when

we enter the airport area greeted by the gate as a

marker entry to the location. The building was

established with the intention as an art container that

can collaborate with the function and structure of the

building as a whole. Architecture created was a

communication that was created and it was a style of

language that can be understood by the observers.

Appreciation from the point of view of

communication and interpretation resulted that the

building of this airport is an icon that shows the

success of plantations in North Sumatra, especially

Palm Oil. This is seen from the image that emerged

from the façade of the building; it is seen the Leaf

Strand of Palm Oil that unite and form the space

below (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Front View that Shows the Leaf Strand of Palm

Oil

From two elements of appreciation that have been

used above is the nature of art and communication

and interpretation, it can be continued to the analysis

uses triangle architectural semiotics. From this

analysis can be explained 4 elements of the triangle

are:

3.1 Substance of Content

This study contains the philosophical values in the

design to develop the planning of an architectural

masterpiece. The fast-paced concept is the hallmark

of modernism that has evolved and combined with

existing local wisdom. The airport that has the latest

facilities is the airport with icon of North Sumatra

which successfully becomes the landmark of the

region.

3.2 Form of Content

The concept of airport planning that moves the airport

from the middle of the city to Deli Serdang area; make

the acceleration of establishment in the region. The

train facilities which connect the airport to Medan

City do not become a problem as passengers can be

on time until the airport. The form of the building

displays local wisdom of North Sumatra seen from

the design of the facade and some local ornaments

used in the building. They are such as ornaments at

the top of the passenger elevator, in the interior of the

airport uses Karo ornaments (Figure 5).

The Role of Semiotics in Reviewing Architecture

309

Figure 5: Karo Ornament

3.3 Form of Expression

The expression that is present on the whole

building is modern building by applying locality

can be categorized to postmodern architecture.

The building shows a solid impression by

exposing the roof truss. Light enters the building

to minimize electricity usage through glass

around the building.

The shape of the railway station right in front

of the airport merges with the direct circulation

to the building (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Airport Railway Station

3.4 Substance of Expression

The overall meaning is a unified air and land

transportation as well as recreation with the support

of shops selling goods for passengers’ needs. The

airport was designed to release saturation for

passengers to be comfortable and favorite for

passengers.

It is an icon of North Sumatra that successfully

open jobs chance for the surrounding society and this

airport can be enjoyed by all levels of society.

3.5 Summary of Analysis

From the analysis of semiotics triangle it can be

summarized as follows:

Figure 6: Summary of Analysis

4 CONCLUSION

Semiotics is an approach used to read architectural

works. The results are the meanings that can

communicate to the observer. The reading of

architectural work is preceded by the appreciation felt

by society and then proved by triangle of architectural

semiotics.

The analysis result on the Kuala Namu Airport-

Deli Serdang shows that this building has potential as

a building that can be an icon of North Sumatra. The

use of element or ornamentation of local wisdom

Substance of

Content

Concept of modern

architecture

Form of Content

Concept of planning

that pays attention to

surrounding

environment

(plantation)

Form of Expression

Expression of

building that shows

the local potency

Substance of

Expression

Meaning that shows

the building as icon

of North Sumatra

Signified

Signifier

Object

Properties

Relation

Scheme

ofHjemslev

Triangle of Architectural

Semiotics

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brings the modern building into a local one and

eventually becomes the hallmark and pride of this

region.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am grateful to the Directorate of Higher Education

(Dikti-DRPM) which gives an opportunity to

research and funded with PDUPT No:

1140A/UN5.1.R/PPM/2018, 5 February 2018.Thank

you also to the students of the Department of

Architecture USU who helped to collecting research

data.

REFERENCES

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