Architectural Heritage as Inspiration for Batik Design: Visual Transformation of the Wringin Lawang Gateway

Abstract

Batik represents an important medium for expressing Indonesian cultural identity; however, contemporary batik development is often dominated by the reinterpretation of natural motifs such as flora and fauna, while architectural heritage remains underutilized as a source of visual inspiration. This study aims to explore how the architectural elements of the Wringin Lawang gateway, a significant Majapahit-era monument in Trowulan, East Java, can be transformed into contemporary batik motif designs. The research employs a practice-based design approach consisting of four stages: visual exploration, design development, prototype realization, and expert evaluation. Architectural characteristics of the gateway, including geometric structure, vertical rhythm, and symmetrical composition, were stylized into batik motifs and developed into three long-cloth design alternatives. The feasibility of the designs was evaluated by three design experts using a Likert-scale assessment based on functionality, cultural identity, aesthetics, and creativity. The evaluation results indicate that all three designs achieved a “very high” feasibility category, with Design 2 obtaining the highest average score of 57 (95%). The findings demonstrate that architectural heritage can be effectively transformed into batik motifs while maintaining cultural meaning and aesthetic coherence. This study contributes to expanding heritage-based design innovation by showing that architectural artifacts can serve as valuable visual resources for contemporary textile design while strengthening the cultural identity of Majapahitan batik.