Winners of the Holcim Awards for sustainable construction projects and visions from Asia Pacific have been announced, bringing the regional phase of the 3rd International Holcim Awards competition to a close. A total of USD 300,000 was presented to twelve groundbreaking projects at a ceremony in Singapore. The winning projects show how sustainable approaches to infrastructure for communities and innovative architecture can improve the built environment and enhance quality of life.

The jury commended this project because of its visionary rethinking of merging density with simplicity. This balancing act is not only well-resolved on a structural level but also on a contextual level. Urbanity, meaning its positive intellectual attributes, is transferred to the countryside and merged with the rural “genius loci” (inherent spirit of place). Well-composed spacing underlines this idea. The selection of materials including concrete, bamboo and reclaimed wood; and well-elaborated design of the buildings go hand in hand with the school’s pedagogic framework. The essences of its integral elements make this project exemplary.

A fundamental element of this school project, Sekolah Alam Baki child-friendly learning located in central Java, is its pedagogic concept that strongly respects children’s rights. A focus is laid on imbuing all elements of the school program with the theme of respect for nature, such as through the teaching of sustainable farming methods and the principles of hydroponics. On a socio-economic level, the school is integrated within the local fabric and enables an on-site market involving the local community who also share in the educational benefits. The layout of the school complex reflects the holistic theoretical background.