The Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), has strategically collaborated with Universitas Andalas (UNAND) under the Endangered Wooden Architecture Program. This program, funded by Oxford Brookes University, aims to document and preserve the endangered heritage of traditional wooden architecture using the Vernacular Documentation (VERNADOC) manual method and digital documentation techniques.
This collaboration encompasses various activities, including public lectures, exhibitions, and joint publications. These efforts are undertaken to safeguard cultural heritage, reflecting history and local wisdom amidst modernization and environmental changes.
The collaboration between the Architecture Study Program of FTUI and UNAND is planned to continue until August 2025. Its implementation will consist of three stages: literature review and technical preparation in Jakarta, training and field surveys, including photogrammetry training and fieldwork in West Sumatra, and data analysis, producing logbooks, aerial photos, and ethnographic data.
A public lecture by Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., a professor from the Department of Architecture at FTUI, marked the initiation of this collaboration on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Andalas. During his presentation, Prof. Kemas emphasized the importance of archiving traditional architecture in a detailed and authentic manner using the Vernadoc method. This approach enriches architectural knowledge for students and encourages community involvement in cultural and architectural heritage preservation.
“This collaboration in preserving wooden architecture is not just about maintaining the physical structures but also upholding the cultural values embedded within them,” said Prof. Dr. Ir. Is Prima Nanda, M.T., IPU, ASEAN Eng., in his opening remarks.
The Head of the Architecture Study Program at Universitas Andalas, Ir. Ahmad Junaidi, M.T., M.Eng.Sc., shared a similar sentiment, stating that the project could provide broader opportunities for students and researchers to explore the documentation of traditional architecture and sustainable conservation practices.
This partnership reflects UI and Unand’s commitment to advancing research and strengthening cultural heritage preservation through a multidisciplinary approach. The program is also expected to significantly contribute to preserving Nusantara Architecture and enriching conservation references for traditional architecture in Indonesia.
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Office of Public Communication
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia
