A study on characteristics of historical heritage buildings in Makassar, Indonesia: form approach from past photograph information

The façade is a key feature of a heritage building because it reflects the location’s history, civilization, culture, and architectural style. In many cities in developing countries, including Indonesia, urban development pressures in old towns and weak preservation efforts have caused many heritage buildings to undergo façade changes over time. Although several studies have examined façade characteristics through field observations, these conditions can make it difficult to identify their authenticity. This study adopts the past photographs analysis method, using Makassar’s Old Town as a case study and 58 Dutch Colonial buildings as the focus. The analysis is limited to identifying façade characteristics and comparing them with previous studies. Ten architectural styles were identified: the Early period, Indische Lanhuizen, Indische Empire, Transitional, Nieuwe Bouwen, Art Deco Streamline, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Romanesque Revival, and Queen Anne. This study suggests that this method can help describe the authentic façades and styles of heritage buildings in old towns experiencing strong urban development pressures; however, it is restricted to façade features and relies heavily on the photograph availability and clarity.