Malay house

Traditional architectural forms, such as tropically-suited roofs and harmonious proportions with decorative elements are considered to still have great cultural value by many in the region.

However, these buildings require significant maintenance compared to modern construction; such as the challenges in preserving its main material, wood, from the decaying effect of tropical weather as well as termite infestation.

These vernacular construction skills are gradually being lost as Malaysia continues its process of industrialisation, while in Indonesia such traditional dwellings still survive in rural areas.

[citation needed] The effort to preserve indigenous architectural styles of the Indonesian archipelago has been conducted through documentation and the creation replicas in provinces pavilions in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta.[relevant?]

In Sumatra, traditionally stilted houses are designed to avoid dangerous wild animals, such as snakes and tigers.

While in areas located close to big rivers of Sumatra and Borneo, the stilts help to elevated house above flood surface.

The Rumah Ibu was named after the spacings between stilts which are said to typically follow the arms-spread width of the wife and mother in the family of the house when being built.

At least one raised veranda (serambi) is attached to the house for seated work or relaxation, or where non-familiar visitors would be entertained, thus preserving the privacy of the interior.

In Peninsular Malaysia's east coast, many houses have distinctive carved roof gable-end boards akin to those in Thailand and Cambodia.