Sustainable Preservation of Malay Traditional Houses through Digital Technology Integration: An Adaptive Framework for East Sumatra, Indonesia

Traditional Malay houses represent the cultural identity, social values, and ecological adaptation of coastal communities in eastern Sumatra. However, preservation efforts face significant challenges due to modernization, material degradation, and declining engagement among younger generations. Previous studies have tended to be fragmented, focusing separately on technological, material, or social aspects. This study formulates three main hypotheses: (1) Building Information Modeling (BIM) and AR/VR technologies can accelerate documentation processes and provide more immersive tools for education and public engagement; (2) the use of adaptive materials, such as engineered wood and laminated bamboo, can enhance structural resilience without compromising architectural character; and (3) community participation strengthens the acceptance of conservation strategies grounded in cultural values. The research adopts a mixed-method approach, incorporating physical observations, interviews, BIM modeling, AR/VR integration, and community surveys analyzed using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The results indicate that immersive technologies (VR and immersive visualization) hold the highest priority weight in conservation efforts (91%), while general digital technologies and the adaptation of spatial patterns and materials serve as supporting factors, based on a high level of expert consensus (87%). In contrast, the authenticity of traditional materials ranks as a lower priority due to material scarcity and high maintenance costs. BIM and AR/VR technologies are proven to enhance documentation accuracy, restoration visualization, and youth engagement, while innovative materials offer more durable alternatives for structural reinforcement. The findings also confirm that conservation success is strongly influenced by community participation and local wisdom. This study concludes that the synergy between digital technologies, material adaptation, and community engagement forms a strategic adaptive framework for the sustainable preservation of Traditional Malay Houses in the digital era. This framework has the potential to serve as a foundation for conservation policy development, heritage digitalization, and the application of adaptive materials in other cultural heritage areas.