Qualitative Identification of Tropical Climate Responsive Design Strategies in Indonesian's Traditional-Vernacular Housing

Abstract

The diversity of traditional-vernacular housing type in Indonesia is mostly influenced by the micro- climate differences. As been explained in Koppen’s Climate Zoning theory, the tropical climate is divided into 3 categories which are Af (Tropical Rainforest), Am (Tropical Monsoon), and Aw (Savanna). That classification can be seen from several climate-forming aspects that have different intensities and scales in each zone, such as Solar radiation, Temperature, Daylighting, Humidity, Air velocity, and Rainfall Intensity. By using qualitative identification method, this paper discusses about some Tropical Climate Responsive Design Strategies in Indonesian's Traditional-Vernacular Housing. Three steps qualitative identification analysis had been done to investigate the details of architectural aspects in 3 case studies (1) ‘Mbaru Niang’, from Manggarai Nusa Tenggara Timur; 2) ‘Rumah Mbelin’ from Karo, North Sumatera; and 3) ‘Huma Betang’ from Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan). By ‘learning from the past’, this paper identified some Indonesia’s traditional houses to initiate the further and more comprehensive studies about the tropical-climate responsive strategies that considering the occupant’s well-being.