Special Things about This Traditional House: The Roof

The roof of this traditional house, as other roof function, designed to provide shades and protection from the heat and rain, and also to provide ventilation. But the special thing about this roof is the basic design of the roof is scattered flat roof(bumbung bertebar layar), a long frame with decoration along at the edge of the roof. Malay vernacular roof is most suitable for the tropical climate; hot and humid. The examples of scattered flat roofs can be found on the design of Rumah Lipat Kajang. However, pitched roof pyramid style can also be found in other houses such as Palembang, Rumah Limas.

                                               

In Riau and Jambi, there are several different styles, especially the design of the roof. Lancang house (Rumah Lancang) or Lontik house (Rumah Lontik) are curved like a boat with a roof structure on stilts. The design is, somehow, similar with Minang Rumah Gadang. Lipat Kajang house has a flat roof structure with cross edge form an "x " in the corner of the roof peak. Larger structure with a roof across the same corner called Rumah Limas . This type of roof and the structure of the palace is often used in the Malay rulers and government buildings.