Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Center

Architecture of Commodity Glory: An In-depth Review of the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Center (Puslitkoka)

The Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Center (Puslitkoka), internationally known as the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI), is more than just an agricultural research institution. Located in Nogosari Village, Rambipuji District, Jember Regency, East Java, this complex of buildings is an architectural monument that represents Indonesia's vision as a leader in global plantation commodities. Spanning hundreds of hectares, Puslitkoka's architecture blends the rigid technical functions of laboratories with the preserved vernacular aesthetics of colonial plantations.

#

Historical Context and Architectural Evolution

Established on January 1, 1911, under the name Besoekisch Proefstation, these buildings bear the long historical imprint of Dutch colonial architecture in Java. The initial construction was designed to accommodate botanical research needs in the "Oosthoek" (East End of Java) region. The main building structures reflect the Indisch Empire Style, which later evolved into modern functionalism with the modernization of facilities after independence.

Reconstruction and expansion carried out over the past few decades have continued to respect its historical axis. The architecture at Puslitkoka was not designed as a striking skyscraper, but rather as a series of low-rise buildings that blend with the land's topography and surrounding vegetation. This creates harmony between man-made spaces and the plantation ecosystem, which is its primary research subject.

#

Design Principles: Integration of Laboratory and Nature

The main design principle of Puslitkoka is "Functional Synergy." The buildings within the complex are divided into several zones: an administrative zone, a central laboratory zone, a post-harvest processing zone (factory), and an educational tourism zone.

Visually, the laboratory buildings exhibit characteristics of modern tropical architecture. The use of spacious verandas, high-pitched roofs to manage Jember's heavy rainfall, and optimal cross-ventilation demonstrate a deep understanding of the local climate. Large windows with high-quality teak wood or steel frames dominate the facades, allowing natural light to enter the researchers' workspaces without generating excessive heat.

One unique element is the use of local materials combined with industrial technology. Exposed brick walls on some sides of the buildings provide a warm and grounded feel, referencing Jember's fertile volcanic soil, where the best coffee and cocoa grow.

#

Structural Innovations and Unique Features

One of the most iconic architectural features at Puslitkoka is the mini processing factory structure and the flavor testing laboratory (cupping lab). Unlike typical industrial factories that appear closed off, the factory at Puslitkoka is designed with an open-viewing concept. Tourists and researchers can observe the mechanical processes of coffee and cocoa processing machines from specially designed walkways, creating a visual interaction between humans and machines.

Structural innovation is also evident in the seed storage warehouse, which utilizes a passive temperature control system. Its architecture leverages wall thickness and underground spaces to maintain temperature stability, reducing reliance on electricity for air conditioning. Additionally, there are greenhouse structures with lightweight steel frames arranged geometrically, creating a modern contrast to the older buildings around them.

#

Cultural and Social Significance: "Coffee and Cocoa Science Park"

Puslitkoka has transformed from a mere office into a Coffee and Cocoa Science Park (CCSP). Architecturally, this transformation demanded aesthetically pleasing public spaces. The construction of monumental coffee bean and cocoa pod sculptures in the front area serves as a point of interest, reinforcing Jember's identity as the City of Cigars and Coffee.

The complex also reflects the social strata and history of plantations in Indonesia. Staff housing, neatly arranged around the core research area, follows a small garden city pattern, where green open spaces dominate. This fosters social cohesion among researchers, field workers, and the general public who visit.

#

Visitor Experience and Spatial Aesthetics

Upon entering the Puslitkoka area, visitors are greeted by rows of shade trees forming a natural canopy over the main access road. This landscape architecture is designed to create a psychological transition from the city's noise to the research center's tranquility.

Inside the main building, the interior is designed with a dominant touch of wood, creating a professional yet organic atmosphere. The exhibition space for research products uses spotlight lighting to highlight the texture of chocolate and coffee products, similar to an art gallery. The spatial experience here is about sensory education; visitors not only see the architecture but also smell the roasted coffee and fermented cocoa, which is indirectly influenced by the building's layout that regulates air circulation.

#

Sustainability and the Future

As an iconic building in Jember, Puslitkoka continues to adapt to the principles of sustainable architecture. The integration of solar panels on several building roofs and the laboratory's liquid waste treatment system demonstrate a commitment to the environment. The structures of old buildings are continuously conserved using restoration techniques that preserve the authenticity of their materials, ensuring that historical value is not lost to modernization.

The Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Center is an architectural achievement that successfully combines high-level technical research functions with elegant plantation aesthetics. It stands as a symbol of pride for the people of Jember and Indonesia, a place where brick and cement structures bear silent witness to the development of world-renowned agricultural science. Through designs that respect nature and history, Puslitkoka remains one of the most functional and iconic buildings in East Java.