Lundayeh Cultural Center In Malinau: Reinterpreting Lundayeh Architecture Through A Neo-Vernacular Approach

Abstract

The design of the Lundayeh Cultural Center in Malinau is motivated by the need for a dedicated place that can accommodate the cultural, traditional, educational, and social activities of the Lundayeh community. The project aims to provide a cultural facility that supports these activities while maintaining a connection to Lundayeh architectural identity. A neo-vernacular approach is applied by using the Rumah Kadang (Lundayeh Longhouse) as the main reference for the design. Rather than directly replicating its traditional form, the design reinterprets its communal values, elongated building form, stilt structure, spatial organization, roof form, and architectural elements to meet contemporary needs. Site conditions, including the natural landscape, topography, accessibility, and existing vegetation, inform the site planning and arrangement of building masses and outdoor spaces. The resulting design consists of several building masses organized according to their functions, spatial relationships, circulation, and site conditions, with an open plaza serving as a shared space for social and cultural activities. Through this approach, the cultural center is designed to support the preservation and continuity of Lundayeh culture while expressing its architectural identity in a contemporary context.