THIRD PLACE AND NOSTALGIA IN POSTCOLONIAL JAKARTA: ADAPTIVE REUSE OF CIKINI POST OFFICE

Authors

Ade Ariyani Sari Fajarwati, Interior Design Department, School of Design, Bina Nusantara UniversityFollow
Mochamad Aviandy, Department of Area Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas IndonesiaFollow

Abstract

The transformation of space in postcolonial cities extends beyond the restoration of old buildings; it involves cultural practices that reshape collective memory and identity. Through adaptive reuse, colonial-era heritage spaces are revitalised as social hubs. This study examines Post Kantoor cafe, a former colonial post office turned into a “third place” within urban spatial culture. Using qualitative methods—visual observation, spatial documentation, and a literature review—the study finds that nostalgic aesthetics, evident in antique artefacts, colonial atmospheres, and curated visuals, foster emotional connections across generations and social classes. More than a site of consumption, the cafe becomes a space for dialogue, cultural exchange, and reinterpretation of history. These findings show that adaptive reuse in postcolonial contexts can produce inclusive, meaningful spaces rich in cultural symbolism.

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Recommended Citation

Fajarwati, Ade Ariyani Sari, and Mochamad Aviandy. 2025. THIRD PLACE AND NOSTALGIA IN POSTCOLONIAL JAKARTA: ADAPTIVE REUSE OF CIKINI POST OFFICE. Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya 15, no. 3 (December). 10.17510/paradigma.v15i3.1844.