Traditional architecture integration in physics: center of mass, impulse, and torque in traditional Limas house architecture

Abstract The principles of physics can be applied to traditional architecture as part of efforts to preserve local wisdom. This study investigates several physics principles of the Limas house, a traditional structure from Palembang, South Sumatera, Indonesia. A descriptive qualitative method was used, with data collected through observations, interviews, and documentation from the Balaputradewa Museum in South Sumatra. The interviews revealed that several physics concepts, including center of mass and material density, are intuitively applied in the construction of the Limas house. The study calculated the volume of the house to be 5040 m 3 , and the center of mass of the house was determined to be at the coordinate point ( x = 9.81 m, y = 9.19 m, z = 3.87 m), relative to the surface of the main room. A lower center of mass will enhance the stability of the building by evenly distributing the load to the foundation, while the impulse depends on the surface area affected by the force. Torque requires strong connections to withstand rotational forces and prevent damage. These findings suggest that the principles of physics can aid in the analysis of the construction. This third element supports the design in architecture and the stability of the Limas house.