Gedung Merdeka in Bandung

Building Independence in the way of Asia-Africa, Bandung, Indonesia, is a building that was once used as a place of the Conference of Asia-African Summit 1955. At this time used as a museum.
The building was designed by Van Galen Last and CP Wolff Schoemaker. Both are professors at the Technische Hogeschool (Technical High School), the ITB now, two renowned Dutch architecture of the period, this building once thick with the feel of art deco and this magnificent building visible from the floor made of Italian marble that shiny, the rooms where a drink and relax cikenhout made of wood, while for the illumination used lamps that hung glittering crystal bias. This building occupies an area of 7,500 m2. At that time this building was named Societeit CONCORDIA used as a place of recreation by a group of Dutch people who live in the city of Bandung and its surroundings. They were the plantation employee, officer, official, businessman, and the other is quite rich. On holidays, especially at night, the building was filled with them to watch the performing arts, dinner.
During the Japanese occupation of this building is called the Dai Toa Kaman with its function as a cultural center.
At the time of the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Indonesia on August 17, 1945 the building was used as the headquarters of the Indonesian youth to face the Japanese army at that time was reluctant to hand over powers to Indonesia.
After the Indonesian government began to take shape (1946 - 1950) which is characterized by the presence of government Haminte Bandung, State Pasundan, and Recomba West Java, Concordia building used again as a public hall. usual here held art performances, parties, restaurants, and other public meetings.
By decision of the Government of Indonesia (1954) which set the city of Bandung as the Asian-African Conference, the Concordia Building was chosen as the place of the conference. At that time the Building of Concordia is the building where the meeting is the largest and most luxurious in the city of Bandung. And it is also very strategic location in the middle of the city of Bandung as well and is close to the best hotels in this city, the Hotel Savoy Homann and Hotel Preanger
And starting early in 1955 This building was restored and customized needs as a world class international conferences, and construction is handled by the Bureau of Public Works of West Java Province who dimpimpin by Ir. R. Srigati Santoso, and implementing restoration are: 1) Bureau of the Knights, under the leadership of R. Machdar Prawiradilaga 2) PT. Alico, under the leadership M.J. Ali 3) PT. AIA, under the leadership R.M. Madyono
Having formed the Constituent Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia as a result of general elections in 1955, Building Independence to be used as a Constituent Assembly Building. Because of the Constituent considered failed in performing its main task, namely determining the basic state and the state constitution, the Constituent Assembly was dissolved by presidential decree dated July 5, 1959. Furthermore, the Building Independence to be a place of National Designer Agency and later became the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly Building (MPRS), which was formed in 1960. Although the function of Gedung Merdeka change from time to time in line with the changes experienced in the struggle to maintain, organize, and the independence of the Republic of Indonesia, Gedung Merdeka name remains fixed in the front of the building.

In 1965 at Gedung Merdeka Islam Asian-African Conference was held. In 1971 at Gedung Merdeka MPRS activities entirely diverted to Jakarta. After the rebellion erupted G30S / PKI, Gedung Merdeka controlled by military agencies and part of the building was used as a political prisoner G30S / PKI. In July 1966, Building Independence maintenance submitted by the central government to the Regional Government of West Java Province, which in turn by the Regional Government of West Java province handed back its implementation to the Regional Government of Bandung City. Three years later, on July 6, 1968, Assembly leaders in Jakarta to change her decision regarding the Building Independence (the former Assembly Building) with the proviso that the left is a building of its mother, while other buildings are located at the rear of Building Independence is still the responsibility MPRS.
In March 1980 This building was re-entrusted to place a warning that the Asian-African Conference on the top-25 and the warning Museum of Asian-African Conference was inaugurated by Suharto, President of the Republic of Indonesia.