Mosque Architecture in Bali as Social Technology: Islamic–Hindu Acculturation and Cultural Sustainability

In a globalised context where cultural diversity and sustainability are central concerns within the built environment, religious architecture increasingly reflects processes of cultural adaptation and social coexistence. In Bali, mosque architecture offers a distinctive case of acculturation between Islamic architectural principles and a Hindu-majority cultural context. Rather than adopting standardised mosque forms, many mosques in Bali demonstrate adaptive design approaches shaped by local cultural norms and sustainability considerations.

This study adopts a qualitative research design based on secondary data. Data sources include peer reviewed academic literature, architectural drawings, planning and regulatory documents, and publicly available visual records of selected mosques in Bali. A thematic analysis approach is employed to examine how cultural acculturation and sustainability are articulated through architectural form, spatial organisation, and symbolic representation.

The analysis identifies recurring design strategies, including selective localisation of architectural elements, moderated religious symbolism, and contextual spatial adaptation influenced by Hindu Balinese traditions. These strategies demonstrate how mosque architecture responds to cultural context while maintaining religious function and visibility.

The study concludes that mosque architecture in Bali operates as a form of social technology through which Islamic Hindu acculturation contributes to cultural sustainability and social harmony. By framing architecture as a socio-technical practice, this research contributes to social science discussions on Society and Technology and highlights the role of the built environment in sustaining pluralistic and culturally diverse societies.