In the heart of Palu City, Indonesia, a mosque is making waves in the construction industry, challenging the dominance of steel and concrete in long-span roof structures. The Nurul Hasanah Aceh Mosque, with its innovative single-layer folded grid timber roof, is pioneering a return to timber construction for large-scale projects, a trend that could have significant implications for the energy sector and sustainable building practices.
Traditionally, timber has been limited to short-span roof structures due to the constraints of timber length and thickness. The introduction of trusses systems did little to change this, with steel and concrete remaining the go-to materials for long-span roofs, particularly in mosque architecture. However, the Nurul Hasanah Aceh Mosque is bucking this trend, demonstrating the potential of timber in large-scale construction.
Lead author Andry Widyowijatnoko, whose affiliation is not specified, highlights the complexity of the design-to-construction process, emphasizing the interconnectedness of structural, construction, and architectural aspects. “This project is a milestone for timber construction in Indonesia,” Widyowijatnoko states, underscoring the potential of the mosque’s design to influence future developments in the field.
The mosque’s folded grid structure is not only aesthetically striking but also offers practical benefits. Timber, as a renewable resource, has a lower environmental impact than steel or concrete. Moreover, timber structures can contribute to energy efficiency, with wood’s natural insulating properties helping to reduce heating and cooling costs.
The construction of the Nurul Hasanah Aceh Mosque could serve as a catalyst for the development of long-span timber structures in Indonesia and beyond. As Widyowijatnoko notes, “There is significant room for technical and computational improvement to further develop complex long-span timber structures.” This could open up new avenues for sustainable construction, with timber playing a pivotal role in reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment.
The research was published in ‘ARTEKS: Jurnal Teknik Arsitektur’, which translates to ‘ARTEKS: Journal of Architectural Engineering’. As the construction industry grapples with the challenges of sustainability and energy efficiency, the Nurul Hasanah Aceh Mosque stands as a testament to the potential of timber in large-scale, long-span construction. This innovative project is not just a milestone for Indonesia but a beacon for the global construction industry, illuminating a path towards more sustainable and energy-efficient building practices.