J. Basic. Appl. Sci. Res., Vol(No)ppp-ppp, 2012 ©2012, TextRoad Publication ISSN: 2090-4304 Journal of Basic and Applied Scientific Research www.textroad.com *Corresponding Author : Bachtiar Fauzy, Doctoral Candidate in Architecture of Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung, Indonesia. Email : bachtiarfauzy@yahoo.co.id The Resilience of Javanese Meaning in the Architectural Acculturation of Javanese with Chinese Ethnic Houses in the Kampong of Sumber Girang and Babagan in Lasem Bachtiar Fauzy 1 *, Antariksa Sudikno 2 , Purnama Salura 3 1 Doctoral Candidate in Architecture of Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung, Indonesia 2 Lectuter in the Department of Architecture of Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia 3 Lecturer in the Department of Architecture of Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung, Indonesia ABSTRACT This research study aims to put forth all the correlations of influence affecting the architecture of Javanese ethnic houses and their Chinese counterparts in the kampongs of Sumber Girang and Babagan in Lasem. The methods employed in this study consist of recording and re-describing all of the available case studies so that these can be subjected to further analysis based on the anatomy of their respective architectural designs. Subsequently the concepts underlying the typical architecture are examined by way of a physical analysis of the architecture derived from the case studies. From these case studies a concept may be explored that underlies each physical element in the two case studies. The outcome of research indicates that the architecture of Javanese ethnic houses proved to be resilient to the influence of the architecture of Chinese ethnic houses, as the former still applies the meaning of human activities in the formation of its architecture. Key words: architectural meaning, functional activity, form INTRODUCTION The Northern coastal region of Central and East Java constitutes an area that displays a wealth of different styles of architectural acculturation [1]. This comes as no surprise, for in its developmental process this coastal region has always been one where new arrivals consisting of Indians, Chinese, Arabs and Dutchmen gathered. The island of Java has been known as being open-minded to new arrivals who considered Java to be a rich resource for making a living [2,3,4]. The process of acculturation taking shape along this particular coast has rarely been subjected to research. But as a matter of fact, the variety of the architecture to be found there can be explored to reveal what factors have caused the resilience and ultimate survival of the architecture typical of the Javanese community [5]. This is the reason why it is important to conduct research into this architecture’s specific character as encountered along the Northern coastal region of Central and East Java. The Chinese traders and immigrants arrived in Central Java around the early 14 th century. Afterwards, they settled in the region of Lasem. In its developmental process, the architecture of these ethnic Chinese dwellings greatly contributed to the architectural style of the dwellers in the vicinity. Surely it is this very mixture of styles and technology that shaped the architectural character of the Javanese ethnic houses in this coastal area around the kampongs of Sumber Girang in Lasem [6,7]. It is known that the Chinese ethnic architecture brought to these shores by the Chinese newcomers can be classified as technologically superior to the local one. Thus, the Chinese ethnic architecture had a considerable impact on the Javanese architecture in the vicinity [8,9]. This research study explores to what extent the Javanese ethnic architecture in this particular region has managed to hold out in the acculturation process with Chinese ethnic architecture. Based on the arguments stated above, this research study aims to reveal the entire potential of mutual influence between the Chinese ethnic residential architecture and its Javanese counterpart in the kampongs of Babagan and Sumber Girang in Lasem. The study will examine both physical and non-physical aspects affecting the two architectural styles mentioned in detail. It may prove useful in the following ways: first of all, it may reveal the mutual influence between Chinese and Javanese ethnic architecture; secondly, it may shed light on the factors that strengthen the resilience of Javanese ethnic architecture to the cultural impact of the foreign settlers; thirdly, it may describe the various principles as well as the specific character of the architecture typical of the Northern coastal region of central