the attempt to synthesize dutch architecture with indonesian local architecture had already started since the 18th-century. heavy maintenance of the 17th-century dutch-style buildings in the tropics had forced the dutch to follow examples from indigenous architecture of indonesia. the attempt first appears in the dutch indies country houses of the 18th and 19th-century, a style academically known as indo-european ("indo-europese") style or indies style ("indisch stijl"), also old indies style ("oud indische stijl") to distinguish it with the newer style.