Gedung Merdeka (The Venue of the Asian African Conference)

Concordia Building, 1895

Gedung Merdeka located on Jalan Asia Afrika Number 65 Bandung was built in 1895 as a meeting place for European people, especially who lived in Bandung and its surroundings. Most of them were the owner of the tea plantation and Dutch officers.
They established a society which was well known as Societeit Concordia on 29th June 1879. The purpose of the society was “...... de bevordering van gezellig verkeer”. As a meeting place, at first they used to gather having some tea in the Warung De Vries.
Afterwards, (1895) they moved in to a building opposite to the Warung De Vries, named Concordia which takes 7.983 meter square. In that year, the building was a simple one which its walls were made of wood and the source of its light at night were only gasoline lanterns.
The building was located in the corner of “Groote Postweg ” (now Jalan Asia Afrika) and “Bragaweg” (now Jalan Braga). Its left wing is next to Tjikapoendoeng River (Cikapundung) which was very comfortable since there were many thick trees grew.

Concordia Building, 1921

Societeit Concordia Building was rebuilt in 1921 in a more functional and structural modern architecture (Art Deco) by designer C. P Wolff Schoemaker.
The building modified its façade and became the most luxurious, complete, exclusive and modern “super club” building in Indonesia. The floors were made of Italian marbles. The bar and common room were made of cikenhout wood, while the gorgeous crystal chandeliers were the lamplights. The rooms inside the building had a capacity to accommodate various art performances. The land covered 7,500 m².

Concordia Building, 1940
Societeit Concordia was renovated again in 1940 with new international style architecture with the help of Architect A. F Aalbers.
This new architecture style was marked by plasterboard with a flat roof. The front part of the building consisted of lines and horizontal elements, while inside of the building was dominated by cubism style.
During the Japanese occupation (1942 – 1945), the name of Societeit Concordia Building was changed into Dai Toa Kaikan and functioned as the cultural centre.
After Indonesian proclamation of independence on August 17, 1945, the building was used as the headquarter of Indonesian youth in Bandung in order to fight the Japanese troops who were not willing to surrender.
Since 1949, in the occupation government, Societeit Concordia Building was renovated and refunctioned as Societeit Concordia, the gathering place of Europeans (including some of Indonesians)
The building was again used for art performances, parties, restaurants and other gatherings as well.

Concordia that was change become Gedung Merdeka in 1955.

Regarding Indonesian Government decree (1954) to inaugurate Bandung as the city of Asian-African, Societeit Concordia Building was chosen as the venue for the conference, because it was the biggest and most luxurious building in Bandung. Furthermore, it was located in the middle of the city and close to the best hotels in town, Savoy Homann and Preanger Hotel.
Since the beginning of 1955, Societiet Concordia Building was started to be renovated to accommodate its function as the venue for international conference. The renovation was managed by Department of Public Works, Province of West Java, headed by Ir. R. Srigati Santoso. Prior to the conference, the building was renamed by President Soekarno and became Gedung Merdeka (April 7, 1955).