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1st Int. Transborder Conf. of the Timor Island: Timor %u2013 Science without borderDili, 7-8 May 202590Beetween Tradition and Progress: Exploring the Architectural Struggles of Sabu-Raijua, IndonesiaLommi D. Kini1* and Tyas Santri21Insitute of Research Governance and Social Change, Jl. R.W. Monginsidi, Kupang, Indonesia2Faculty of Engineering, Langlangbuana University, Bandung, Indonesia* Corresponding author: dida.kini@gmail.comAbstractSabu-Raijua, a remote island regency in eastern Indonesia, possesses a rich tradition of vernacular architecture, where elevated houses made from natural materials such as lontar sheets,lontar leaves, wood, and thatch are well-adapted to the climate and deeply embedded in cultural identity. However, in recent decades, the region has experienced architectural stagnation, marked by a growing disconnection between traditional living spaces and the evolving aspirations of its people. Despite the thermal comfort and symbolic significance of traditional houses, many residents have begun to adopt stone or concrete houses%u2014often less suited to the environment%u2014under the influence of modern development narratives and government programs. This study aims to investigate the underlying factors contributing to this shift, focusing on how Sabunese communities understand, negotiate, and reshape their concept of home amidst competing values of tradition and modernity. Using a qualitative research approach grounded research the study explores the complex relationships between human and non-human actors involved in shaping architectural choices. Through ethnographic fieldwork, spatial analysis, and interviews with residents, builders, and local officials, the research uncovers how traditional materials and practices are increasingly marginalized in favor of state-endorsed models of modern housing. The findings reveal that while traditional homes offer comfort, familiarity, and cultural continuity, they are gradually abandoned as concrete houses become symbols of progress, safety, and social mobility. This transition is not solely driven by preference, but by a network of influences that reconfigure architectural meaning and value.Ultimately, the study concludes that architectural stagnation in Sabu-Raijua stems not only from a lack of creativity, but from disrupted and unequal actor-networks that marginalize local knowledge. To move forward, development initiatives must embrace a more inclusive and culturally responsive approach, allowing traditional architecture to evolve meaningfully in dialogue with contemporary needs rather than be erased by them.Keywords: Sabu-Raijua, vernacular achitecture, traditional housing, modern housing.