Concerns about the decreasing number of traditional houses in various regions due to modernization have prompted the Department of Architecture at the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), to organize the UI Architecture Excursion 2023: Karo Land. The exhibition “Building Jabu, Weaving Togetherness” showcases documentation of vernacular architecture in Karo Land, focusing on the Karo traditional house called Siwaluh Jabu. In addition to photographic documentation, the exhibition, which took place from January 8-21, 2024, also features models of Siwaluh Jabu in various types.
Daniella Eleora, the Excursion’s Project Leader, stated that the richness of knowledge and culture in traditional architecture is often overlooked. The replacement of traditional houses with modern buildings is increasingly difficult to contain, and many surviving traditional houses are experiencing damage. “Unfortunately, many people do not care and only see traditional houses as ordinary buildings. However, traditional houses play a crucial role in the future,” she said.
Daniella revealed that traditional architecture can be a solution to future housing technology needs. Some traditional houses, for example, have adopted passive cooling systems by adjusting window sizes or air circulation, creating a comfortable indoor environment without the need for cooling machines. Additionally, traditional houses with wooden foundations and peg systems can reduce damage during earthquakes.
“Traditional houses inherently apply the principles of sustainable architecture, but many misunderstand that sustainability must be modern. To move forward, we need to learn from the past,” she added. Daniella hopes that more parties will care about preserving Nusantara traditional houses, not just as architectural heritage but also as cultural treasures that need to be safeguarded from extinction.
The excursion in Karo Land took place in the villages of Dokan and Pangambatan, Merek District, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, in July-August 2023. From the implementation, the excursion team successfully identified several changes in building components and the use of traditional houses. One of them is the replacement of Siwaluh Jabu’s thatched roof with zinc.
Furthermore, partitions have been added to the interior of the elevated house, but the structural walls and roof still maintain their originality. Changes also occurred in the use of the traditional house, which was originally used by eight families but is now only inhabited by four families.
“With the occurrence of this exhibition, we hope that more parties will be motivated to preserve traditional houses. This is part of our cultural heritage that we should collectively protect,” Daniella concluded.
On a separate occasion, the Dean of FTUI, Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, ST., M.Eng., IPU, responded positively to the event, stating, “We highly appreciate the UI Architecture Excursion 2023: Karo Land organized by the Department of Architecture. Understanding and concern for Nusantara traditional houses not only contribute to architectural values but also represent real efforts to preserve cultural diversity and ancestral heritage. This activity is one of FTUI’s commitments to safeguarding cultural heritage, particularly through traditional architecture.”
The exhibition “Building Jabu, Weaving Togetherness” not only attracted attention from architects and the Karo community but also received appreciation from exhibition visitors as a way to introduce the nation’s culture. The Excursion is part of the annual program of the Department of Architecture, FTUI, which has been ongoing since 1965. The program aims to document Indonesian vernacular architecture, which will later be processed into books, films, and other media.
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Office of Public Communication
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia
