The physical substances and methods used to build structures.
156 Terms
A skim coat of pure cement paste or fine cement-lime mix applied over plesteran to produce a smooth, paintable surface. …
Aluminium Composite Panel — a sandwich panel of thin aluminium sheets bonded to a polyethylene or fire-resistant core, u…
Granular material (sand, gravel, crushed stone) mixed with cement and water to make concrete. Aggregate comprises about …
UPVC corrugated sheet — unplasticized polyvinyl chloride formed into a corrugated profile, used for roofing, cladding, a…
Woven bamboo panels — made by splitting bamboo culms into thin strips and weaving them in diagonal, twill, or hexagonal …
Asbestos cement corrugated sheet — a composite material of asbestos fibres and Portland cement, used widely as a low-cos…
A black paving material composed of bitumen (a petroleum byproduct) mixed with aggregate. Asphalt is widely used for roa…
A large, often multi-story central space open to the sky or topped with glass, creating visual connection.
Bathtub or bathing basin — a large fixture for filling with water for bathing. Bak mandi in Indonesia ranges from simple…
An elevated platform projecting from a building wall, surrounded by a railing.
A row of decorative balusters (small posts) supporting a railing.
A fast-growing grass used as a structural and finishing material in Indonesian architecture. Bambu is strong in tension …
The railing and supporting posts along a staircase or balcony.
A horizontal trim board running along the base of interior walls where they meet the floor.
A story or floor below the main ground level of a building, partially or entirely below grade.
Brickwork left deliberately unplastered and unpainted, exposing the masonry bond as a finished surface. In Indonesian ar…
Handmade red clay brick — the traditional masonry unit of Java and Bali, formed from local alluvial clay, dried in the s…
Lightweight concrete block — similar to batako but with reduced density (typically 600–1000 kg/m³) achieved by incorpora…
Hollow concrete block — a lightweight masonry unit made from cement, sand, and aggregate, formed into a hollow rectangul…
Natural stone — including andesite, limestone, sandstone, and volcanic rock — used as a cladding, paving, or structural …
Fired brick — a generic term for clay bricks, encompassing both traditional handmade bata merah and industrial pressed v…
Coral aggregate or coral rubble — stone chips and fragments from dead coral reefs, used in concrete mixes and as a coars…
River rock or pea gravel — smooth, rounded stone pebbles 10–25 mm in diameter, used decoratively in landscaping and in c…
Formwork — the temporary mould into which wet concrete is poured and held until it has gained sufficient strength to be …
Reinforcing steel bar (rebar) — deformed steel bars cast within concrete to provide tensile strength that concrete alone…
A fastener consisting of a threaded rod with a head, used with a nut to secure structural connections. Bolts are essenti…
A small rectangular block of clay or concrete fired in a kiln or cured, used as a primary building unit. Bricks are dura…
An alloy of copper and tin, valued for its durability, corrosion resistance, and rich color. Bronze is used for architec…
Waterproofing paint or elastomeric coating — a specialized paint that cures to form a flexible, waterproof membrane. Cat…
Exterior paint — a weather-resistant paint formulation designed to withstand UV radiation, rain, temperature extremes, a…
Wall paint — the visible finish coating applied to plasteran and acian surfaces, available in water-based (latex) and oi…
The upper surface of an interior space that closes off the area above.
A binding powder made from limestone and clay that hardens when mixed with water. Cement is the key component in concret…
Tile made from clay or porcelain fired at high temperatures, used for wall or floor surfaces. Ceramic tiles are durable,…
The external skin applied to a building's structure to provide weather protection, thermal insulation, and aesthetic fin…
A series of windows high in a wall that allow light to penetrate deep into a building.
A material made from two or more constituent materials with different physical properties that remain separate. Composit…
A composite building material made from cement, water, sand, and aggregate (gravel or crushed stone). When mixed and pou…
A reddish metal valued for its malleability, conductivity, and corrosion resistance. Copper develops a distinctive green…
Cast-in-place concrete — concrete mixed and poured on site into temporary formwork, as opposed to precast elements manuf…
An engineered wood product made from layers of solid timber boards glued at right angles to each other. The cross-lamina…
A non-structural exterior wall system that hangs from the building frame, typically of glass or metal.
The lower portion of an interior wall, often finished differently (with wainscoting or paneling).
Door leaf or door panel — the moving element that swings or slides to open and close a doorway, hung from a kusen frame …
An open platform or outdoor floor attached to a building or structure.
A movable barrier that opens and closes an entrance or passage between spaces.
A window or gabled projection that rises from a sloped roof, providing light and headroom to attic spaces.
Interior wall panel made of gypsum plaster sandwiched between paper layers. Drywall is quick to install, cost-effective,…
Hinge — the mechanical fastening device that allows a door or window to swing. Engsel is made from steel (for structural…
Epoxy flooring — a hard, chemical-resistant floor coating made from epoxy resin and curing agent, applied directly over …
Any material used on a building's exterior surface, serving both protective and aesthetic functions. Facade materials in…
A flat surface at the edge of a roof or soffit that faces outward, often carrying gutters.
A device used to attach or join two materials together. Fasteners include bolts, rivets, nails, screws, and welds.
A roof with minimal or no slope, maximizing usable interior space.
A horizontal surface that forms the base of a room or story level within a building.
Grate or shower drain — an opening in the floor with a removable strainer that allows water to drain away. Floor drains …
Accordion or bifold door — a system of multiple panels hinged together that fold and stack to one or both sides, allowin…
Temporary moulds — usually made of timber, plywood, or steel — into which wet concrete is poured and held until it has c…
Galvalume steel sheet — steel coated with a aluminium-zinc alloy that provides superior corrosion resistance compared to…
Metal roof tile — a stone-coated or plain steel tile designed to imitate traditional clay tile (genteng tanah liat) in a…
Traditional terracotta clay roof tiles, hand-formed and kiln-fired, widely used across Java and Bali. Genteng tanah liat…
A transparent or translucent material made from silica sand, soda ash, and lime. Glass is essential for windows, transpa…
A solid glass unit, typically square or rectangular, used in walls to transmit light while providing opacity and texture…
Engineered wood product made of multiple layers of dimension lumber bonded together with adhesive. Glulam allows larger …
Curtains or drapes — fabric hanging that controls light, privacy, and solar heat gain in windows. Gorden is made from co…
Granite tile or slab — cut and polished from granite stone, used for floors, countertops, and wall cladding in high-end …
An igneous rock composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica, prized for its durability and attractive appearance. Granite is …
Glass Reinforced Cement board — a thin cladding panel of Portland cement reinforced with alkali-resistant glass fibres, …
A construction technique where visible timber frames are filled with masonry, mud, or plaster. Half-timber creates a dis…
Door handle or grab bar — the lever or grip that operates a door. Handles range from simple levers to ornate decorative …
A rail held by hand for support while using stairs or walking.
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) block — a lightweight, thermally insulating masonry unit made from cement, lime, sand,…
A pattern of rectangular blocks (typically wood or stone) laid alternately at angles to create a V-shaped weaving patter…
Sugar palm fibre (Arenga pinnata) — coarse black fibres harvested from the trunk of the sugar palm tree, used traditiona…
Materials used to resist the flow of heat, sound, or moisture through a building's walls, roof, and floor. Thermal insul…
Louvre or jalousie — a shading element consisting of horizontal slats (fixed or operable) that control solar radiation a…
Electrical cable — insulated conductors (copper or aluminium) that carry electrical current from the main panel (panel-l…
Glass — the transparent material used in windows, glazed doors, and glass partitions. In Indonesian construction, kaca i…
Laminated glass — two or more panes of glass bonded together with a tough plastic interlayer (typically polyvinyl butyra…
Tempered or heat-treated glass — glass that has been heated and rapidly cooled to create internal compressive stresses t…
Calcium silicate board — a non-combustible board product made from Portland cement, silica, and reinforcement fibres, us…
Kerb or curb — a concrete or stone edge that separates a road, paving, or walkway from an adjoining surface. Kanstin is …
Teak — a dense, oily hardwood (Tectona grandis) prized for its exceptional durability, dimensional stability, and resist…
Ironwood (Eusideroxylon zwageri) — one of the hardest and most durable tropical timbers in the world, found in the lowla…
Ceramic floor and wall tiles — the near-universal interior finishing material in Indonesian buildings, from the simplest…
Water closet or toilet fixture — the seated fixture connected to a drain system for human waste. Kloset is available in …
Faucet or tap — the valve fixture that controls flow of water from pipes. Kran is available in various styles (single-le…
Lock — the mechanism that secures a door in a closed and latched position. Kunci ranges from simple sliding bolts to sop…
Door or window frame — the structural surround into which daun-pintu (door leaf) or window sash is hung. Kusen is made f…
A flat platform or intermediate floor between flights of stairs where direction changes.
Barge board or gable trim — a decorative or protective board installed along the outer edge of a sloping roof at the gab…
An entrance hall or waiting area in a public building, hotel, or office.
A room or space directly under the roof or in the upper floor of a building, often high-ceilinged.
A roof with four sides and two slopes per side, creating additional usable floor space.
Marble tile or slab — a metamorphic rock available in white, grey, black, and various coloured veins, quarried in Indone…
Construction using individual units of stone, brick, or block, bound together with mortar. Masonry is excellent in compr…
A decorative or structural linear element with a shaped profile, used to finish edges or transitions.
A paste of cement (or lime), sand, and water used to bind masonry units together and fill the joints between them. Morta…
Plywood — sheets of wood veneers glued and pressed together with alternating grain direction for strength. Multiplek is …
A grout joint — the filled gap between adjacent ceramic tiles, stone slabs, or masonry units. In Indonesian tiling pract…
Ridge or roof ridge cap — the horizontal element that caps the peak where two roof slopes meet. Nok atap is made from ti…
Iron fence or steel fence — a perimeter enclosure made from steel bars, tubes, or mesh welded to vertical posts. Pagar b…
Electrical panel or distribution board — the main enclosure where incoming power is metered, distributed, and protected.…
A wall or railing at the edge of a roof, balcony, or terrace for safety and aesthetic purposes.
Parquet or wooden flooring — solid wood strips or engineered wood planks laid in patterns (herringbone, basket-weave, or…
A non-structural wall that divides interior space without supporting loads.
Masonry brickwork laid in mortar — the most prevalent wall construction method in Indonesian buildings from colonial-era…
A shallow, flattened column or pier projecting slightly from a wall surface.
PVC pipe or polyvinyl chloride plastic pipe — a lightweight, corrosion-resistant drainage and water supply pipe, standar…
A roof with one or more slopes, designed to shed water and snow effectively.
Glass Reinforced Cement ceiling panel — a non-combustible alternative to gypsum ceiling board, offering superior fire re…
Gypsum ceiling board or plasterboard — sheets of gypsum core with paper facings, attached to a suspended metal frame (ra…
PVC ceiling tile or plastic ceiling panel — a lightweight, moisture-resistant ceiling material made from polyvinyl chlor…
Joint filler or spackling compound — a white powder mixed with water to form a paste, used to fill seams, cracks, and fa…
A paste made of gypsum, lime, sand, and water applied to walls for finishing. Plaster provides a smooth surface for pain…
A render coat — a layer of cement-sand mortar applied over pasangan bata or concrete block walls to produce a flat, even…
The projecting or recessed base of a building, column, or wall where it meets the ground.
Concrete floor screed — a thin layer of cement mortar (typically 3–5 cm) cast over a structural concrete floor slab to c…
A protective barrier of posts and bars along stairs, balconies, or edges to prevent falls.
Lightweight plastic or timber frame used to support ceiling tiles or wall cladding in low-cost applications. Rangka furi…
Steel bars embedded in concrete to provide tensile strength. Rebar is essential to reinforced concrete's ability to resi…
Concrete combined with embedded steel reinforcement bars (rebar) to compensate for concrete's weakness in tension. Concr…
Steel rebar, mesh, or cables embedded in concrete to provide tensile strength. Reinforcement allows concrete to resist b…
The upper covering of a building that protects the interior from weather and elements.
Light switch or electrical switch — the device that opens and closes an electrical circuit to control lights or applianc…
Septic tank or wastewater treatment system — an underground chamber where household wastewater is treated through bacter…
The horizontal ledge or threshold at the bottom of a window or door opening.
Wooden roof shingles split from ulin (ironwood) or belian timber, used as a traditional roofing material in Kalimantan a…
An opening in a roof or ceiling fitted with glass to admit natural light into the space below.
A fine-grained metamorphic rock that splits easily into thin sheets. Slate is used for roofing, flooring, and cladding a…
The underside of a horizontal structural element, such as a beam, arch, or eave.
Corrugated metal decking — a brand name (PT Cladding) that has become generic for corrugated galvalum or steel sheet wit…
Steel alloyed with chromium and nickel to resist corrosion. Stainless steel is used for hardware, railings, and ornament…
A single step or flight of steps connecting two different floor levels.
A series of steps connecting different floor levels, enabling vertical circulation.
An alloy of iron and carbon that is strong in both tension and compression, making it ideal for structural frames, long …
An individual horizontal surface for stepping on, part of a staircase or ramp.
Natural rock material quarried and shaped for use in buildings. Stone is durable, prestigious, and available in varied c…
Electrical outlet or receptacle — the socket fixed to a wall or built into furniture where portable appliances plug in t…
Gutter or rain gutter — a channel installed along the eave of a roof to collect and direct rainfall to downspouts and ul…
Fill soil or backfill material — earth or other soil material used to fill areas, raise grades, or backfill foundations.…
Water tank or cistern — a large elevated or ground-level reservoir that stores potable water for household use. Tandon a…
Security grille or window bar — an ornamental or functional steel grid installed over windows and openings for theft pre…
A composite material made of marble or stone chips set in cement or resin, polished to a smooth finish. Terrazzo is dura…
Wood used as a structural or finish material in construction. Timber is strong relative to its weight, renewable, and ca…
A horizontal bar dividing a window, or a window above a door for light and ventilation.
The decorative finish material that frames openings, transitions, or edges in the interior or exterior.
Unglazed ceramic or cement tile — a traditional floor or wall tile made from clay or cement, unglazed and often with a s…
A small entrance room or hall between the outside and the main interior space.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet or tile flooring — a synthetic, moisture-resistant, easy-to-clean floor material availabl…
Wooden paneling or wall treatment covering the lower portion of an interior wall.
A vertical structure that encloses or divides space, supporting loads or providing barriers.
Decorative wall covering — rolls of printed paper or vinyl adhered to walls as a design and protective surface. Wallpape…
Wash basin or sink fixture — a porcelain, stainless steel, or composite fixture used for washing hands, dishes, and laun…
A membrane or coating system applied to roofs, wet areas, basements, and below-grade structures to prevent water penetra…
An opening in a wall or roof that allows light and ventilation, typically fitted with glass panes and a frame.