Changes in the Use of Building Materials in Traditional Houses in Indonesia

Abstract

The residence or what we call home is an inseparable part of human life. Traditional buildings in Indonesia use natural materials that are widely available in Indonesia, such as wood, bamboo, stone, clay, straw, weeds, and so on. The use of natural materials for traditional houses will certainly have a negative effect if the exploitation of natural materials is carried out without being balanced with policies for the renewal process. Modern society tends to look for substitutes for building materials that are simpler, or at least easy to obtain, and that do not require special expertise in the installation/manufacturing process. Comparisons between traditional and modern versions of traditional houses that have been touched by modern materials are expected to give a picture of a shift in the types of building materials and their application to traditional houses in Indonesia.