Built in the 1920s, Roemah Langko drew on both Indonesia’s long Dutch colonisation and the then-popular Art Deco style. Decades of abandonment had left it structurally beyond repair and well below the level of the repeatedly tarmacked road. Detailed records taken before its demolition allowed the reconstruction - at road level - to be faithful to its original sensibilities, but with a modern seismic-resistant structure that proved its effectiveness in a devastating 2018 earthquake. Doors, windows and tiles from the original building were reused, roof tiles sourced from within Indonesia, and Dutch colonial accent pieces added to the façades for authenticity. A steel grid covers the outdoor seating area. Now a thriving restaurant, the reconstructed landmark building has boosted tourism in Lombok.
Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture
