It has been noted that the traditional wooden houses are generally more earthquake-resistant than modern brick designs , although they are more vulnerable to fire . The construction of modern concrete framed and brick walled '' rumah adat '' has undermine the very characteristic of traditional wooden house , which is its flexibility to absorb shock-waves generated by an earthquake . These concrete '' rumah adat '' - style building often can not withstand earthquake and collapsed , like those buildings collapsed in 2009 Padang earthquake . In some areas , a ' semi-modern ' '' rumah adat '' concept has been adopted , such as among some Ngada people , with traditional elements placed inside a concrete shell
2009 Padang earthquake
2009 Sumatra earthquakes
Rumah adat