Characteristics of Buginese Traditional Houses and their Response to Sustainability and Pandemics

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the characteristics of traditional Buginese houses and positive features that are beneficial to response sustainability and pandemics through literature studies and field observations. The study results show that the traditional Buginese houses were built based on local wisdom and environmental consideration from the philosophy of "Sulapa Eppa" (rectangular) with the meaning "Universe". The building typology is a stilt house consisting of three levels of the room, which symbolize the human body anatomy; head (roof/house attic), body (body-house), and foot (under the house). The Buginese traditional architecture is very responsive to nature and sustainability and contains positive features in maintaining the building occupant's health in the past according to experience and resources at that time. These positive values can inspire sustainable designs in the future.