The Ebb Tide in Conserving Nusantara Architecture

Abstract

Nusantara architecture has become master in its own house. In Indonesia, attempt to realign the understanding of traditional architecture into the Nusantara architecture proven effective disseminating the virus in preserving traditional houses. Even more, preserving Nusantara Architecture is not only about maintained the tradition physically, but also the value. One of them is gotong royong (mutual cooperation), the motor in reviving community architecture. Amid the insistence of modernity, Nusantara style gradually eroded, despite the fact of plenteous values on it as references for modern architecture. Furthermore, economically, added value for the region by ecotourism.This paper proposes recent review about conservation on Nusantara Architecture in Indonesia, with describing currently conservation efforts which being intensively carried out in various regions in Indonesia to reconstruct some rotten inhabited traditional houses. Examples described taken from Waerebo, Ratenggaro, Ngata Toro, and the exploration of vanished Tolakinese house. Overall, the process of participatory in planning and implementation is the key factors of these programs today, prove that gotong royong still exist. Academia also entangled, with students involved helping the community. Thus, the real learning process and transfer of knowledge at the same time sustaining at once. On the other hand, ex-situ conservation efforts also taken into consideration when attempt to push the equalization of protecting effort race against time. Conservation a la Europe becomes important once seeing the vast spread of custom/traditional houses in Indonesia and lacking attention from the government to drive faster. While, the occupants were unable to sustain maintenance and refrain of the clamour of modern life. Open-air museum might be the only solution.