Bengkilas in the Palembang Limas House, Indonesia: Integration of Thermal and Social Zoning

Abstract

Limas houses in Palembang exemplify vernacular architectural systems that embody both cultural identity and climate-responsive design. Among their defining spatial features is the bengkilas, a tiered, partitionless floor system traditionally linked to social hierarchy. This study investigates the bengkilas as an integrated spatial mechanism for vertical thermal zoning and social stratification. Employing a mixed-methods approach within a multi-case study design, data were collected through architectural observation, occupant interviews, and systematic thermal measurements (temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity) across two seasonal periods. The results reveal a consistent pattern of vertical temperature stratification (up to 4.6°C difference), where upper tiers are cooler and better ventilated. Qualitative findings further demonstrate that spatial elevation corresponds with perceived comfort and with varying levels of privacy and symbolic meaning. These converging insights support the formulation of a thermal–social zoning model rooted in cultural logic and passive environmental performance. The study contributes a contextual framework for sustainable tropical housing design that integrates spatial, thermal, and social dynamics within a unified architectural strategy.