Reinier de Klerk

The Arsip Nasional project started in 1994 when a group of Dutch citizens working in Indonesia brought up the idea of ​​bestowing a gift to Indonesia to mark the Republic's golden anniversary. The choice fell upon a beautiful, yet now dilapidated, building which in its own way followed Jakarta's history.

Built in 1760 by then Dutch Governor General Reinier de Klerk as his home on an area of ​​15,000 sqm, the Arsip building is the only remaining building of its kind: a mansion with tropical colonial architecture, with a blend of distinctive Dutch features, including Delft Blue tiles, combined with a strong Asian influence of red and gold wood carvings.

The building's long history included that as a home, an orphanage, an office, and ultimately as the archives storage building at the turn of the 20th century, which the young republic took over from the Dutch after independence in 1945. After the archives were transferred to a modern building in the early 90s, however, years of little usage accelerated the building's decay.

The restored Huis de Klerk building received the 2001 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heirtage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. Now, the building functions as an exhibition and cultural space that is open to the public.