A Cultural Thread in the Heart of Sumba

Designing Impact Through Local Immersion

Founded as part of Plataran's philanthropic “give-back” initiative, Rumah Plataran Sumba is far more than a scenic structure. Built in the village of Tambolaka, it functions as a community reading house, cultural enclave, and catalyst for education and renewal. Here, children flip through storybooks in English, women gather to weave in inherited rhythm, and families share nutritious meals, all under a roof that reflects Sumbanese architectural spirit, grounded in ecological and cultural responsibility.

Koestriastuti and the Architecture of Meaning

At the center of this thoughtful work is Koestriastuti, a veteran designer, curator, and guardian of Indonesia's living traditions. A graduate of ITB in Product Design, her legacy spans decades of national service, from interior curation for global exhibitions, to design mentorship in remote weaving villages. As a senior member of Cita Tenun Indonesia (CTI), she has dedicated her life to empowering small industries, protecting intellectual property, and elevating Indonesia's tenun as a form of both art and advocacy.
Her role at Rumah Plataran Sumba is purposeful and quietly transformative. She brings curatorial insight, artisan networks, and institutional knowledge to shape initiatives with care and relevance. Through cultural programming and textile workshops, she helps root the Rumah's mission in local authenticity, allowing its offerings to resonate with integrity and intention.

In an era when luxury often feels removed from meaning, Rumah Plataran Sumba, with the touch of Koestriastuti, redefines richness as relevance. Here, travel becomes a dialogue, culture is not consumed but contributed to, and tradition is not staged, it is sustained.