Metaphoric Architecture in Painan Maritime Museum Design

  • Rolly Fardinan Universitas Bunghatta
  • Al Busyra Fuadi Universitas Bung Hatta, Padang
  • Era Triana Universitas Bung Hatta, Padang
  • Haryani Haryani Bung Hatta University, Jl. Sumatera Ulak Karang, Padang, Indonesia
  • Mulfakli Mulfakli Bung Hatta University, Jl. Sumatera Ulak Karang, Padang, Indonesia
  • Dadang Puja Kusumah Bung Hatta University, Jl. Sumatera Ulak Karang, Padang, Indonesia

Abstract

Metaphorical architecture translates cultural and natural phenomena into readable spatial narratives. This article develops a framework of five variables—source metaphor, key attributes, domain transfer, spatial narrative, and symbolic legibility—synthesized from comparative precedent studies (Libeskind’s Jewish Museum Berlin and the Aceh Tsunami Museum) and applies it to the design of the Painan Maritime Museum in West Sumatra. Local sources such as the traditional pincalang boat, Indian Ocean waves, and communal fishing activities are transformed into a ship-oriented elongated mass, undulating façade, net-patterned secondary skin, and sequential linear circulation forming a symbolic “voyage”: embarkation, tension, climax, reflection, and epilogue. The analysis reveals a balance between iconic legibility and conceptual depth, enabling visitors to intuitively perceive local maritime identity. This study contributes to the development of a transferable design methodology for metaphor-based museums and provides contextual site recommendations for the coastal landscape of Carocok Beach, Painan.

Author Biographies

Rolly Fardinan, Universitas Bunghatta
Mahasiswa Magister Arsitektur Universitas Bung hatta, Padang, Angkatan 2023
Al Busyra Fuadi, Universitas Bung Hatta, Padang
Dosen Magister Arsitektur Fakultas Teknik Sipil Dan Perencanaan Universitas Bung Hatta Padang
Era Triana, Universitas Bung Hatta, Padang
Dosen Magister Arsitektur Fakultas Teknik Sipil Dan Perencanaan Universitas Bung Hatta Padang
Haryani Haryani, Bung Hatta University, Jl. Sumatera Ulak Karang, Padang, Indonesia
Thesis Advisor of Master of Architecture Program
Mulfakli Mulfakli, Bung Hatta University, Jl. Sumatera Ulak Karang, Padang, Indonesia
Graduate with a Master’s Degree in Architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Planning
Dadang Puja Kusumah, Bung Hatta University, Jl. Sumatera Ulak Karang, Padang, Indonesia
Graduate with a Master’s Degree in Architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Planning

References

[1] A. M. Salama and F. Wiedmann, Demystifying Doha: On Architecture and Urbanism in an Emerging City. Routledge, 2016. doi: 10.4324/9781315576503.
[2] H. Abusaada and A. Elshater, “Stimulating architects’ mental imagery reaching innovation: Lessons from urban history in using analogies and metaphors,” Ain Shams Eng. J., vol. 15, no. 9, p. 102933, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.asej.2024.102933.
[3] D. Libeskind, “Between the Lines: Extension to the Berlin Museum, with the Jewish Museum,” Assemblage, vol. 12, 1990, doi: 10.2307/3171115.
[4] R. Kamil, “Tsunami Museum Aceh: A narrative architecture of memory and hope,” J. Archit. Res., vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 45–60, 2009.
[5] A. C. Antoniades, Poetics of Architecture: Theory of Design. John Willwy \& Sons Inc., 1992.
[6] R. H. Clark and M. Pause, Precedents in Architecture: Analytic Diagrams, Formative Ideas, and Partis, 4th ed. John Wiley \& Sons, 2012.
[7] A. Yaseen, M. Waqas, and A. Mukhtar, “Precedent Study: An Approach to Learning about Design Challenges in Architectural Studio Pedagogy,” Glob. Educ. Stud. Rev., vol. VII, no. I, pp. 395–403, 2022, doi: 10.31703/gesr.2022(vii-i).38.
[8] P. Salura and S. Clarissa, “Re-interpreting the case study approach in architectural research,” ARTEKS J. Tek. Arsit., vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 109–120, 2024, doi: 10.30822/arteks.v9i1.3195.
[9] G. Lakoff and M. Johnson, “Metaphors We Live by,” Mod. Lang. Rev., no. 1, 2003, doi: 10.2307/3727501.
Published
2025-11-28
How to Cite
FARDINAN, Rolly et al. Metaphoric Architecture in Painan Maritime Museum Design. SIGMA TEKNIKA, [S.l.], v. 8, n. 2, p. 442-456, nov. 2025. ISSN 2599-0616. Available at: <https://journal.unrika.ac.id/index.php/sigmateknika/article/view/8381>. Date accessed: 11 feb. 2026. doi: https://doi.org/10.33373/sigmateknika.v8i2.8381.

Keywords

Metaphoric Architecture; Maritime Museum; Spatial Narrative; Symbolic Legibility; Painan; Indonesia