Gedung Merdeka on the Asian-African road, Bandung, Indonesia, is a historic building that was once used as a venue for the Asia-Africa Summit in 1955. Now this building is used as a museum that exhibits various collections and photos of the Asian-African Conference which is the forerunner The first Non-Aligned Movement ever held here in 1955.
This building was designed in 1926 by Van Galen Last and C.P. Wolff Schoemaker. Both of them were professors at Technische Hoogeschool te Bandoeng (TH Bandoeng - which later became the Bandung Institute of Technology - ITB), two well-known Dutch architects at that time, this building is very thick with nuances of art deco and this magnificent building can be seen from its floor made of shiny Italian marble made, rooms for drinking and relaxing made of cikenhout wood, while for the lighting used sparkling crystal lights that hang sparkly. This building occupies an area of 7,500 m2.
This building was first built in 1895 and named Sociëteit Concordia, and in 1926 the building was completely renovated by Wolff Schoemacher, Aalbers and Van Gallen. [2] The Concordia Sociëteit Building is used as a place of recreation and outreach by a group of Dutch people who live in the city of Bandung and its surroundings. They are plantation employees, officers, dignitaries, business people, and other wealthy people. On holidays, especially at night, the building is filled with them for dancing, watching art shows, or dinner.
During the Japanese occupation this building was called Dai Toa Kaman with its function as a cultural center.
During the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Indonesia on August 17, 1945 this building was used as the headquarters of Indonesian youth to confront the Japanese army who at that time were reluctant to give up their power to Indonesia.
After the Indonesian government began to form (1946 - 1950) which was marked by the Haminte government of Bandung, Pasundan State, and Recomba West Java, the Concordia Building was used again as a public meetinghouse. Here, art performances, parties, restaurants and other general meetings are held here.
With the decision of the government of the Republic of Indonesia (1954) which established Bandung as the venue for the Asian-African Conference, the Concordia Building was chosen as the venue for the conference. At that time the Concordia Building was the largest and most magnificent meeting place in Bandung. And its location is very strategic in the middle of Bandung City and close to the best hotels in the city, the Hotel Savoy Homann and the Preanger Hotel.
In March 1980 the building was once again entrusted to be the 25th anniversary of the Asia-Africa Conference. At the peak of his commemoration the Museum of the Asian-African Conference was inaugurated by Soeharto, the second President of the Republic of Indonesia.
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