BRIN promotes earthquake-resistant housing after NTT quake
Three prototype earthquake-resistant houses built by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in Tanjung Boleng village, West Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara, remained standing after being struck by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake and a series of aftershocks.
The three houses were constructed in 2021–2022 as part of the development of earthquake-resistant construction technology, initially pioneered by the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) and later continued by BRIN following the integration of all research institutions.
BRIN engineer Vian Marantha Haryanto said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday that the houses were specifically designed with earthquake-resistant construction technology for deployment in areas with high seismic risk such as East Nusa Tenggara.
“These houses are specially designed with earthquake-resistant construction technology for disaster-prone regions such as NTT. These results prove that the design and construction methods we applied are capable of protecting building structures and, most importantly, protecting the safety of occupants, even when shaken by an earthquake of this magnitude,” he said.
Although field monitoring results indicate the structures remain in good condition, BRIN will still conduct further testing to obtain technical validation in the laboratory. Testing is planned using cyclic testing in accordance with SNI 3966:2012 at the Structural Strength Research Centre laboratory.
The laboratory-scale testing method has been prepared and is planned to be carried out in 2026.
“The major earthquake that struck NTT on 15 August 2026 served as a field test for the technology,” he added.
The houses use rubber bearing seismic technology to help dampen vibrations caused by earthquakes. The technology is the result of research by BRIN’s Composite and Biomaterial Research Centre, utilising natural rubber or elastic polymers as the base material.
In addition to being earthquake-resistant, the houses created by BRIN are also modular in nature. As such, this innovation could become one of the models to be considered in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of community housing in disaster-prone areas.
BRIN is therefore encouraging the earthquake-resistant house model that has been developed to be replicated more widely, not only in East Nusa Tenggara but also in other earthquake-prone areas across Indonesia.
The move is aimed at strengthening the safety aspect of community housing while reducing the risk of building damage when earthquakes occur in the future.