Typological Analysis of Commercialization-Induced Spatial Transformations in Traditional Balinese Houses

Abstract

As Bali’s tourism economy intensifies, Traditional Balinese Houses (TBHs) are increasingly transformed for commercial functions. While their symbolic and cultural roles have been widely studied, fewer investigations focus on how commercialization alters their spatial organization and disrupts Balinese spatial principles such as Tri Hita Karana, Tri Mandala, Sanga Mandala, and the Kaja–Kelod axis. This study examines five TBHs in Ubud using a triangulated methodology combining micro-scale spatial mapping, in-depth interviews with residents and stakeholders, and regulatory analysis. Findings identify three dominant transformation patterns: spatial conversion, spatial reconfiguration, and vertical extension. Hospitality-driven commercialization often triggers vertical growth, while retail and food-related uses drive the repurposing of communal and profane zones. Although sacred zones like the merajan remain intact, these adaptations increasingly blur traditional zoning hierarchies. The study reveals a governance gap: while Bali Provincial Regulation No. 5 of 2005 promotes traditional identity, it offers limited guidance for hybrid or tourism-modified dwellings. Informal customary systems, such as Asta Kosala-Kosali, often serve as substitutes but lack institutional support. This research contributes to vernacular resilience discourse by highlighting how TBH transformations are shaped by overlapping systems of tradition, economy, and regulation, calling for more responsive planning tools that support culturally rooted adaptation.