Situated within the North Sumatran Leuser Ecosystem famous for its biodiversity, Bukit Lawang is a well-known destination for both national and international tourists and also one of the most popular sites for eco-tourism. To cover the accommodations needs for the tourists, the area of Bukit Lawang is supported with various accommodation means, one of which is the Ecolodge Bukit Lawang with its ecological concept. The structure of and the material used for this lodge are in general conventional. In addition, woods, bamboos, river stones, sago palm leaves and even clay are attractively applied as basic material emphasizing the aesthetic of the architecture in harmony with the natural environment.

The environment as basic idea for the development
The natural environment here is the main reference for the shape and the material of the cottages. Outdoor space is integrated under certain specific themes earmarking the accommodation facilities integrated within this particular area. Interesting are:

• Bukit Lawang as a part of Leuser Ecosystem is a conservation and eco-tourism area approx. 100 km from Medan, lies about 260 m above sea level with an average of rainfall more than 200 mm/month (high humidity). The entire Leuser Ecosystem covers an area of 1.5 million ha, part of which is within the Province of Aceh. This area with protecting function hosts 45% of th3 10,000 different flora species of South East Asia and around 700 different species of wild animals;
• The location on the bank of the river Bohorok, which is also famous for rafting and tubing, the Ecolodge Bukit Lawang is accessible through a suspension footbridge, allowing the guests to enjoy the view of the river, which is also the main scenery of this accommodation compound;
• The structure and the philosophy of the cottages are oriented to the traditional architecture of Malay and Karo, as the majority of the surrounding community. Moreover, the development of the eco-lodge tends to follow tropical architecture with vernacular structure applying various, inexpensive and easy to find local and conventional building materials;
• Other structures refer to tropical architecture, which are common in the tourism area of Bukit Lawang, indeed differentiated through the transformations of the structure and through the decoration as well as the applied materials. Sago palm leaves are used for the roof;
• Generally, conventional building materials are applied, since they are easy to find. Natural stones from the river Bohorok, as well as bamboos and woods, are specifically used for decoration to maximise the aesthetic of the buildings and to attract tourists;
• The development of extremely high catchment area, such as here in Bukit Lawang, can affect the stability and the physical and the endurance of physical structure. Therefore, the followings are recommended to maintain the strength of the building and the durability of the materials applied:
  • to build a light building structure;
  • to applied water proof masonry at least 30 cm above the ground surface;
  • foundation to be built not too close to the river (or to apply plaster at the river bank);
  • to construct drainage around the building to maintain water flow;
  • to plant various kinds of shrubs with strong roots to prevent landslides;
  • to develop gardens in the outdoor spaces and to cover the ground with grass;
  • to conduct well managed organic waste management;
  • to construct domestic waste management utilising bio-filtration system, which is safe for such area.

Afforestation of the watershed area or of the river bank with minor plants is highly necessary to maintain the soil stability.

Covering the outdoor spaces, such as in the garden of the Ecolodge Bukit Lawang, with various plants is highly recommended. Maximum plants coverage helps to reduce direct catchment of water, which can lead to the reduction of soil’s carrying capacity at the river bank.

Black water is to be treated separately in solid and liquid waste. The latter is to be channelled into filtration pond, sterilised through sand and aggregate, as well as through various water plants as being organic filter system supporting microorganism up to its disposal (Horizontal Flow Bio-filtration). Meanwhile, solid waste can be composted or buried every several months.