Rather than using a "project" approach, in which a contractor usually build a building for the client, our project focuses on the participatory approach. Indonesian usually calls it "gotong royong", it is when the people are working together to achieve a greater good for themselves and the community.

Most of Uma Nusantara's projects are located in the eastern part of Indonesia (islands other than Java, Bali and Sumatra), as they are currently lacking of attention while having a vast richness of the culture.

We believe that true conservation is a social and cultural issue rather than only a "physical" issue. Thus, we tried to conserve traditional architecture as a living culture instead of a dead monument. Especially, the works take place in its actual habitat, involving the community as the main actor and the owner.

Each community has their own local wisdom. While the world is looking for more and more answers of the "green and sustainable" architecture, we can learn a lot form the community about sustainability, as well as their attachment to site and culture.

Reconstruction is the most e ective tool of knowledge transfer, especially for the local youth. While involved in reconstruction projects, the people gain a sense of belonging and cultural awareness. Thus, not only the physical structures are saved, but also the "knowledge" itself.

We have learned that local architecture has potential. Hence, the process is precious, in which we can gain a lot of wisdom and knowledge. Di erent disciplines are now involved in our projects to give thoughts and comments; university students doing their live-in, and the whole project is compiled in a publication; all happened to make sure that people could gain more understanding of this issue.

We hope for a better local community in the future. Through the interactions, knowledge exchange takes place: global issues, positive in uence, and potential empowerment. Better tourism hospitality, English lesson, and replanting trees for sustainability issues are brought to the village to broaden their mind.

At the end, it is through ecologial conscious tourism that the community could share their culture to the world outside. Unforgettable tourism experience, rich collaboration of nature and culture lead awareness on sustainability.