Indonesia is a vast country with thousands of islands supporting hundreds of ethnic groups. One of these islands is the southeastern island of Timor that houses multiple ethnic groups, each with their own traditions. This variety of cultures is accompanied by a variety of vernacular architecture, with each region of the island having its own characteristic housing types. Last year I visited Soe region in south central Timor where I saw not only traditional houses built with bamboo, wood, grass and palm leaves, but also a new type of architecture that merges these vernacular materials and techniques with steel, concrete and sawn timber.
Natural building traditions of central Timor
Vernacular houses in Indonesia are often built on stilts in order to protect them from flooding and soil moisture. In central Timor, however, the drier climate makes it possible to build houses directly on the ground. These houses are often rectangular with hipped roofs, while some do have more distinctive forms, such as the beehive-shaped ume bubu houses.
The most common structural materials for vernacular houses in Timor are bamboo and wood. Bamboo structures normally last seven to ten years before the bamboo has to be replaced, usually due to insect infestations. Appropriate use can extend the lifespan of bamboo, such as cutting the bamboo during the new moon. The main structure of the walls is usually covered with strips of bamboo, or alternatively stems of palm leaves. Both materials last longer if protected from the rain, with palm generally being slightly more durable.
The roof structure is built with bamboo or wood that is tied or lashed together with roots or palm; nails are optional. The roof is then thatched with either grass or palm leaves. Grass roofs are generally more durable, but in some seasons only palm leaves are available. Grass roofs in central Timor usually need to be replaced every seven years or so, but strong winds can significantly shorten the lifespan of roofs. Ceilings are often used for storing food.
Modernization of traditional Timorese housing
Vernacular building knowledge is still very much alive in the villages of Timor, thanks to vernacular houses being affordable, comfortable and part of the local identity. However, these houses also have their problems, such as insufficient ventilation which is particularly problematic when people light fires inside the house to stay warm or to keep insects away. For this reason, the government has introduced a new house design, called ume kasi, that mixes local natural materials and industrial materials such as concrete blocks, metal roof sheets and sawn timber.
The aim of the government program is make village houses healthier while keeping them affordable. The program started 15-20 years ago with the government building some example houses and then giving people loans to build their own houses. Ume kasi houses have foundations and concrete blocks in the bottom half, while the upper part of the walls is still built with bamboo or palm. This makes the houses stronger and more durable while keeping costs low. Keeping the bamboo and palm walls still allows the house to breath, while added windows provide ventilation. The ume kasi shows that it is possible and beneficial to mix industrial and traditional materials, instead of completely abandoning traditional techniques.
Today village housing in Timor is a mix of materials, depending on what the family prefers and can afford. Many people prefer cement blocks if they can afford them, because they are more durable, but traditional houses still persist. The beehive-shaped ume bubu house is often found behind the more modern house and is often used for giving birth or for lighting a fire and staying warm during cold weather. Even more so, these buildings persist because they are not just houses, but also the spiritual living spaces of ancestors and a part of the identity of the people.
