Living in Style … Traditional Curved Roof and Decorative Façade, Northern Sumatra – Architectural Photography

This elegant Batak building, with its sweeping, curved roofs, is a hotel on the shores of Lake Toba, northern Sumatra.

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Curves and carvings 

These distinctive houses were the traditional homes of the Toba Batak people. Although they are simple 3-storey structures, they feature swooping saddle-shape roofs and ornate decorative carvings.

Typically, the bottom floor was open, and provided shelter for the animals. The 2nd floor was the living / sleeping area, but in the warm climate, most daily activities were done outdoors. The high attic was a storage area.    

Never out of style 

The roofs used to be made from palm fiber thatch, but nowadays metal zinc sheeting is more commonly used – and more durable in the humid environment.   

In the past, these buildings were quite large, and would be the home of an extended family, or even of a larger community. Now, they are generally single-family dwellings.

Unfortunately, few of these traditional Batak homes are being built today, as many people feel more comfortable in modern homes. Fortunately, this beautiful Batak style is being preserved by hotels and inns such as those in the photos.

(The photo on the right gives a clearer view of the saddle-shape roofs.)   Location – Lake Toba, on Google Maps

This is my entry in @juliank’s Architectural Photography contest.