LivaS - International Journal on Livable Space | Vol. 02, No. 1, February 2017: 14 – 22 ISSN: 2548-7515 (online)

LOCAL WISDOM OF STRUCTURE AND BUILDING SYSTEM TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE IN RESPONDING TO NATURE

Parmonangan Manurung Lecturer, Department of Architecture Faculty of Architecture and Design, Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana Jl. Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo No. 5-25 Yogyakarta, email: [email protected]

Abstract them has its own house and bring Indonesia as a country which has Traditional architecture was built on a hundreds of diverse customary houses. tradition inherited from one generation to On the other hand, Mangunwijaya (1992) the next. As a country which has said that the concept of architecture of hundreds of tribes, Indonesia has the archipelago is the adjustment and hundreds of traditional architecture the tunings with nature. designed by the ancestors to fulfill the function as well as responding to natural The diversity of geographic context. The aim of this research is to condition, culture and social find out how the structural and building backgrounds produces diversity of system traditional architecture in this architecture in Indonesia. Natural and country respond its natural conditions as cultural richness brought architectural the context. The method used is diversity of this country. The land that qualitative descriptive with the analysis stretches from west to east has a variety of some traditional architecture which of traditional architecture, with its have been visited and conducted a diversity in shape and structure system. theory review. The results showed that Differences in geographical conditions the traditional architecture in Indonesia produce different designs in response to had been designed to respond to nature site conditions. As the site conditions, as context. From the discussion, it can climatic and environmental conditions be concluded that traditional architecture play a role in providing a diversity of in each region has an approach in architecture in the archipelago because aligning themselves with nature as of traditional architecture has a role in context. responding the nature and the environment. Keywords: Local wisdom, traditional architecture, earthquake, climate, This study aims to find out how the context. traditional architecture in Indonesia responds its natural conditions as the context through building structure A. INTRODUCTION structures and building systems design. In order to achieve these objectives, Indonesia is an archipelago which has a qualitative research methods had been very diverse geography. Geographic used. Meanwhile, to enrich the data and conditions in Indonesia produces natural the analysis, some previous field conditions which are different from one observations, brief interviews, and another, including culture, and ethnicity. literature review were also employed. In According to Ronald (2002:5) there are the field observations, visual condition more than three hundred tribes in data were collected using a camera to Indonesia which can be further divided record the traditional architecture into several customs, which each of conditions including its structure and

[14] LivaS - International Journal on Livable Space | Vol. 02, No. 1, February 2017: 14 – 22 ISSN: 2548-7515 (online) building systems. The analysis is done modern buildings. Meanwhile, traditional by comparing the data obtained in the building has been considering the field with a literature study to get a structure and building systems in its conclusion. architectural design. Based on these considerations, the discussion in this paper will be limited to study of the structural and building systems that are B. LITERATURE REVIEW used by some of the traditional Traditional houses in Indonesia were architecture in Indonesia. The selection built by the ancestors of Indonesia, also of cases is done by considering the noticed the natural environment as a geographical conditions where the context. And behold how each of the traditional architecture is located. Some building work is an attempt to bring the traditional architecture located in islands Universe (Mangunwijaya, 1992). which are prone to earthquakes such as Traditional architecture designed by the Island, Java Island and Sulawesi ancestors of Indonesia to respond to its Islands (as shown by Figure 1.) have context and resolved by utilizing local been chosen. Meanwhile, to analyze the potential. This explains how humans try system of the building, some of to establish a relationship with nature traditional architecture that consider and create harmony in presenting the natural ventilation and natural lighting building or architectural work. According systems in its design have been selected to Lechner (2015), the reasons of as a case study. differences in the architectural design of each region are a response to the 4.1 Responding to Earthquake climate. Design buildings in hot and dry areas will be different when compared to Indonesia is a country which is prone to the hot and humid regions. This affects natural disasters because it is located the design of the roof and openings in around of the ring of fire (Wijayanto, order to response natural light and 2016). This condition makes Indonesia is thermal comfort. Rudofsky (1965:1) prone to earthquakes, especially for describes as islands located in the ring of fire. Figure "architecture without architects". In other 1 shows the earthquake zone map word Rudofsky want to show that indicating areas in Indonesia, which is vernacular architecture is not influenced prone to earthquakes. by trends or particular style but oriented (especially Nias Island), Java Island and to the needs and potential of nature as Sulawesi Island are vulnerable to the context. It can be concluded that the earthquakes. Therefore, traditional local wisdom of our ancestors is wisdom architecture that is located in these areas in dealing with nature as context has been chosen as a case study. resulting architectural design that can address the needs of the building and in Although they were situated in harmony with nature. locations that are vulnerable to earthquakes, the traditional architecture of those areas has capability to respond the earthquake impact through their C. DISCUSSION design approach. Our ancestors have There are four basic elements of a responded to these conditions by the building; building structure, building design approach of their traditional systems, building services, and building architecture, especially traditional management (So and Chan, 1999). houses that are geographically situated Building services and building on the ring of fire. For instance, how is a Management are two elements of traditional house solving the problems buildings that are more common in caused by earthquakes? Field

[15] LivaS - International Journal on Livable Space | Vol. 02, No. 1, February 2017: 14 – 22 ISSN: 2548-7515 (online) observations showed that Nias traditional the rhythm of the earthquake. house is located on the south side of the Meanwhile, according to Pudjisuryadi, et. island of Sumatra; it is also called as al. (2007), Nias traditional houses (Omo Omo Hada. This house has some Hada) were able to resist an earthquake diagonal column known (called as V- measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale Shape) and play a role as a structure without any damage, while modern system to resist lateral forces caused by buildings are located in the same area the earthquake. V-Shape structure have collapsed. Results of research system is able to withstand lateral forces conducted by Pudjisuryadi, et. al. (2007) during an earthquake occurs so that the showed that Omo hada has a very stable building can remain stable. The structure system. The foundation system connection between the columns and as a base isolation has ability to reduce beams are not using nails, causing the internal forces as well. buildings can be moved dynamically to

Figure 1. Indonesian Earthquake Zoning Map. (Source: http://www.pu.go.id)

Besides the Nias Island, Java pedestal made flops, because 3- Island also has the risk of earthquake. dimensional skeletal structure and the Therefore, the traditional architecture in loading system is able to cope with Java Island is one of the works of earthquake force vibration in the seismic architecture that responds earthquake zone 3. His research also shows that through its structural design. Prihatmaji local knowledge of our ancestors is a (2007) in his research found that the problem solving in responding to structure of the Java traditional house earthquakes. The design approach they (called ) is capable to withstand have done has resulted in the design of earthquake forces zone 3. The structural buildings that can respond to lateral factors of this traditional house has forces are generated. capability to withstand vibration earthquake forces through a ductility of On Sulawesi Island, one of the soko guru (main vertical structure most famous and very unique traditional system) wood, construction quality of the architecture on this island is . connection, and the proportion of the This traditional house of Toraja people length-width-height rong-rongan. has an interesting shape with its soaring Prihatmaji also recommends that the use roof. The main building material is wood, of traditional Javanese house at present while the roof cover material used either considered to be safe, if the system bamboo or stone. Toraja is located in an

[16] LivaS - International Journal on Livable Space | Vol. 02, No. 1, February 2017: 14 – 22 ISSN: 2548-7515 (online) earthquake prone area so that the structural elements Tongkonan house shape, material and structural system of standing freely, so that the building will the Tongkonan is designed to respond to remain stable when withstand lateral these conditions. The system structure forces that occur despite the load of the has similarities with other traditional building is very large. The shear stress houses in Indonesia, especially on the ground will work flexibly, thus traditional Batak house. creating equilibrium as a result of a Meanwhile, in responding to the reaction equal to the action. Figure 3 force caused by the earthquake, shows how load of Tongkonan is Tongkonan, responds with different local distributed to the ground. materials. According to Sir (2015), the

Figure 2. V-Shape structure system is a structural respond to lateral load caused by earthquake. (Source: Manurung, 2012)

Most Tongkonan houses use materials. The stone material used as bamboo as its roof material. However, the roof cover has a dimension of 60x40 one type of Tongkonan house use cm with a thickness of 2 cm. The results stones as its roof material (Figure 4). of interviews with the residents of the This local material tied up using bamboo Stone Tongkonan house indicated that skin on a roof structure so as not to fall the house may have more than a during earthquakes. When an hundred years old. Although superbly earthquake is happening roof covering over a hundred years old, material and material will move following the structure of the building is still in very earthquake forces and re-stabilized after good condition. Figure 3 shows the the shaking stops (Manurung, 2011). connection system of stone material with This type of Tongkonan is also known as the roof frame. Connective connection Stone Tongkonan because the house used causing the roofs of buildings to uses stones as its roof covering survive during an earthquake.

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Figure 3. Load distribution on Tongkonan house . (Source: Sir, 2015)

Figure 4.Stone as roof material on Tongkonan House (Source: Manurung, 2011)

4.2 Responding to Climate temperature can be dangerous to human life; it shows that human thermal comfort Indonesia is a country that has a humid becomes an important thing that must be tropical climate. In tropical countries, considered in any design process. temperature and humidity becomes a problem in the architectural design In the beginning of the design process, as mentioned by So and Chan process, the local climate should be (1999), external temperature can be considered to produce the design which around 35 degrees Celsius with humidity is energy conscious and efficient in ranging from 90% to 100%. Furthermore, energy use (Iyendo, et.al. 2016). A they said that too hot or too cold research conducted by Iyendo, et.al.

[18] LivaS - International Journal on Livable Space | Vol. 02, No. 1, February 2017: 14 – 22 ISSN: 2548-7515 (online) indicated that on both the vernacular and producing traditional architectural design contemporary building showed that the in Indonesia. As Lechner (2015) said, in design of vernacular buildings more hot and dry climates, window size is sustainable than modern buildings. As a smaller so that the hot air does not get country that is located below the equator, into the building, while in the heat and Indonesia has a hot humid climate. Every humid climates size of the window is region in Indonesia has related larger. In hot and dry areas flat roofs differences in climate and humidity shape is relevant due for low levels of levels. Climatic conditions responded in rainfall in this area, the opposite occurs in different ways by our ancestors in hot and humid area (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Traditional house in North Sumatera (Source: Lechner, 2015)

Research on the influence of buildings. However, without an effort to traditional roof shape in Central Java provide good air circulation, will reduce (Purwanto, et.al., 2006) found that the the performance of the building itself. roof shape the which has no air The result of this study indicates that the circulation in the roof, contributing the local wisdom of our ancestors in heat in the room below, which affect the designing their house is done by thermal comfort. The main Limasan roof considering the environmental context. modifications are widely used in modern Roofs and openings design take into

[19] LivaS - International Journal on Livable Space | Vol. 02, No. 1, February 2017: 14 – 22 ISSN: 2548-7515 (online) account the surrounding conditions so as than Tongkonan using metal roof to answer the needs of thermal comfort (modern). This indicates that the local of the building. Whereas the material has better performance in modifications made by modern buildings reducing heat caused by solar radiation. do not consider the environmental conditions as the context. High humidity levels responded wisely by ancestors to lift the building. According to Lippsmeier (1984) Stilt houses as a typical traditional building orientation towards sun and houses in the archipelago is an excellent wind, and the shape and construction as solution, it separates building floor from well as the selection of appropriate the ground. The space created between materials, can create a good room the buildings and the ground allows the temperature. In general, traditional creation of air movement and provide architecture in Indonesia was designed comfort in buildings (Figure 6). In some with an orientation towards the sun, traditional houses, the space created wind, and oriented to the mountains and beneath the building functioned for the sea. These design considerations various purposes and activities, either as influence the thermal comfort in the pets or as a place for some activities. building because of the direction of Magunwijaya (1992) mentioned that the sunlight and air movement into the stilt house or under house is really a building. Tongkonan house in Toraja high-quality problem-solving. It means. It oriented north-facing so get the sun's means the completion of the ancestors light and heat stable the whole day. to the climate issue and the humidity is Alahudin (2012) mentioned that an outstanding local wisdom in Tongkonan using bamboo roof responding to natural as building context. (traditional) has room temperature lower

Figure 6. Stilt house is a problem solving for humidity. (Source: Author)

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In order to providing thermal to have an understanding of the comfort and expel warm air, Nias home principles of thermal comfort and how to leave openings on the roof. This apply them in the design of their homes. approach allows hot air to quickly leave the building and replaced by fresh air coming into a building through openings REFERENCES are provided along the front side of the 1) Alahudin, M. (2012). Kenyamanan building (Figure 2). This approach shows Termal Pada Bangunan Hunian that our ancestors have excellent Tradisional Toraja. MUSTEK ANIM understanding about air flow, and know HA, 1(3), 168-177. how to drain the lighter hot air through the top of the building as well as fresh air 2) Lechner, N. (2015). Heating, to enter through the walls of the building Cooling, Lighting: Sustainable shell. On the other hand, in terms of the design methods for architects. New orientation of the building, some Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. traditional houses in Indonesia are 3) Mangunwijaya, Y.B. (1992).Wastu oriented towards the north so as to get a Citra. Jakarta. Gramedia Pustaka very good daylight quality. As Livingston Utama. (2014) said north side of the building will receive the most consistent light, easily 4) Manurung, P. (2011).The controls light distribution, and reduces Astuteness of Toraja’s Traditional the risk of direct light. Architecture. Indonesia Design Magazine, Vol.8. No.45. Jul-Aug 2011,hlm. 100-103. D. CONCLUSION 5) Manurung, P. (2012). Omo Hada: A Indonesian ancestor had designed their Picture of Beauty. Indonesia Design traditional houses considering building Magazine, Vol.9. No.48. Jan-Feb elements such as structural systems and 2012, hlm. 88-92. building systems. Structural systems of the houses were designed as a response 6) Iyendo, T.O., Akingbaso, E. A., to the load that occurs, both the building Alibaba H. Z., Özdeniz, M.B. (2016). loads and loads caused by earthquakes. A relative study of microclimate Traditional building situated in the area responsive design approaches to of "ring of fire" has been designed with buildings in Cypriot settlements.ITU earthquake-resistant design approach; it A|Z. Vol 13 No 1. March 2016. 69- is applied through the system structure, 81. material selection, as well as the type of foundation used. Pedestals foundation 7) Lippsmeier, G. (1984). Bangunan system has been able to respond to Tropis. Jakarta: Erlangga. lateral force caused by earthquakes. 8) Prihatmaji, Y. (2007). Perilaku In addition, our ancestors also have Rumah Tradisional Jawa “Joglo” designed a traditional architecture with Terhadap Gempa. DIMENSI Teknik consideration of thermal comfort. This is Arsitektur Vol. 35, No. 1, Juli 2007: 1 done to respond to different climate in – 12. each area, a traditional house located in a hot area has dimensions larger 9) Pudjisuryadi, P., Lumantarna, B., & openings than traditional home in the Lase, Y. (2007, September). Base cooler areas. Opening at the top is isolation in traditional building, designed to circulate the hot air out of lesson learned from Nias March 28, the building, while the fresh air flow 2005 earthquake. In International through the openings in the building Conference EACEF. shell. This shows that our ancestors had

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