Microlibrary as a program to empower users: the power of small, attractive, and many

In 2012, we initiated the Microlibrary program, with a mission: to make learning attractive and reachable for Indonesia and beyond. Though the economic forecast for Indonesia is optimistic, the current infrastructure does not support to improve its Human Development Index. Eager-learning students are hindered by the lack of facilities; libraries are far from being popular. The role of beautiful design can make libraries attractive again. Instead of positioning libraries in the city centers, why don’t we bring libraries closer to their homes? In 2016, two microlibraries have been built in Bandung. Four more are in planning, one is the Fibonacci Microlibrary. Each microlibrary is uniquely-designed to fit programmatic demands of each community’s and site’s potential.

From file to craft: bridging parametric-based design with local construction technique

The question is how to design and build within a simple manual labor-focused construction environment. Instead of from “file to factory”, a “file to craft” solution was sought. The parametric grasshopper model uses standardized construction elements (the rib structure) in a flexible way to generate design variations in terms of the amount of ribs, number, orientation and layout of spiral rooms, building height, rib dimensions. For the material, shotcrete structural insulated panels are used. Here concrete is sprayed onto a form core clad in a metal mesh. In this case it gives the opportunity to build a lightweight construction which reduces the load on the foundation and thus material usage. Cast in-situ method also solves logistic issue of transporting prefab ribs to the site.

New nature: modern urban ruin in the lush green park (landscape = furniture = structure)

Being situated within a park, having an all-side open pavilion where one can enter from any direction is contextual and relevant. We would like to perceive the pavilion as a fully integrated structure and being reclaimed by nature like an almost forgotten ruin. We question the modernist idea of functional separation of constructive elements and thus the columns made of ribs were designed with a bigger radius so as to house multiple programs. At the same time the ribs will function as integrated bookshelves for the library. In that sense the spiral array of the ribs is a hybrid of structure, functional requirements and fixed furniture. Green roof, moss ceiling and green carpet (artificial grass) enable the continuation of the park into the library, an experience of seamless green spaces.