Architecture of rumah gadang minangkabau contain variety of special values. For example the main shape of the building. The main shape of architecture of rumah gadang minangkabau is rectangular block. The rectangular block is expand to the up and to be smaller to the down. When the sides of the block are through to the bottom, the whole part of the rumah gadang will meet in te one point.

another feature is the line which crosswise in rumah gadang. The crosswise line looks sharp and sloping curve. The middle part is lower than both of end point of the bulding.The curve of the roof is very sharp like buffalo horns, while the curve body of the house is slope like the shape of the ship body.

Roof of the rumah gadang is made of ijuk. The curved roof and sharp-pointed to upwards called gonjong. Because the form of roof is gonjong, the rumah gadang also known as the rumah bagonjong.

The main function of rumah gadang:

1. Rumah gadang as the monument in minangkabau culture

Traditional house of Minangkabau called as rumah gadang. The naming not only caused by the size of the house which have great size but also caused by the great function of the house it self. Rumah gadang in minangkabau have great values for the minangkabau community. That is why rumah gadang became as special monument in minangkabau culture.

As the monument, rumah gadang is the great evidence obtained from the culture of ethnic group. The great value contained in the some symbols in the building of rumah gadang. These values are have to understand and inherited continuously

2. Rumah gadang as the institutions in minangkabau culture

One of the main function of rumah gadang is concerned as a institutions in minangkabau community. Rumah gadang not only as the place to live but also as the symbol of the life and the harmony of community.

The institutional functions of the Rumah Gadang can be divided into:

Rumah gadang as a residence

Inhabited by a large family.rumah gadang inhabited of several core families that have their own regulations. Every woman who has been married get a room. The youngest women will get the room in the edge of the house. In turn, she will moved to the middle room of the house if the another women have been married.

The old women and children get a place near the kitchen. The teenage girls get in the same place of in the other side The old man, widower and the young man don’t sleep in rumah gadang. They slept in their family’s mosque.Placement of new couple in the edge of the house inorder not disturbed by any rush came in the house.

Meeting place

Institutionally, rumah gadang as a place to make a discussion work since rumah gadang as the building centre for all the member of community. With all the circumstances they will feel the same position over the rumah gadang building.

Place of ceremony

The next function of rumah gadang as a place of ceremony. As a place of ceremony,the function of rumah gadang is very important. The function is especially important in the implementation of the batagak penghulu ceremony, marriage ceremonies, etc.

Places for caring family members

Rumah gadang as the hospital for caring the member of the family. Especially for the member which getting seek and the elderly.
This important function to maintain relationships and facilitate the process of family harmony among family members.