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rchitects called on the public to return to local methods of house construction as traditional architecture could withstand earthquakes better than badly constructed concrete buildings.

In a recent discussion on earthquake-resistant buildings, in the wake of the West Java earthquake in early September that severely damaged more than 64,000 houses and slightly damaged more than 130,000, architects from the Indonesian Institute of Architects (IAI) said most of the houses damaged were ones that used modern materials such as bricks and cement.

Humanitarian organization Posko Jenggala head Andi Syahrandi said in Pangalengan, a house built to resemble those in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta totally collapsed while the goat barn stood erect.

"They construct concrete buildings without using a solid frame, or the cement mix is not correct," Andi said.

As Java lies on the ring of fi re, earthquakes are inevitable. "Buildings should be constructed with that in mind," he said.

University of Indonesia Professor Emeritus Gunawan Tjahjono said wood-based traditional buildings were far more resistant to earthquakes.

"People, however, are shifting to concrete buildings as their pride for traditional architecture is waning," he said.

Indonesian Institute of Architects president Endy Subijono said traditional construction such as the use of weaved bamboo walls can look beautiful and be safe too.

"Even superstar architects use bamboo for tall buildings," he said, adding that people could mix traditional local materials with modern ones.

Vice president of IAI Bambang Eryudhawan said many developing Indonesian towns were ugly because they lost their unique characteristics as new buildings started to mushroom, with towns and cities in Indonesia mostly looking to Jakarta.