How does sustainable construction support the Indonesian government to improve the quality of education? This was the question addressed by two Holcim Awards winning teams at an event hosted by Holcim Indonesia at the Jakarta Design Center. A series of “Microlibrary” learning centers that aim to raise literacy by offering attractive spaces for reading by SHAU; and a school hub built using local materials that empowers local craftsmen by SASO Architecture Studio were showcased. Both projects illustrate how sustainable design can improve education quality – a commitment made by the national government under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework of the United Nations.

Danna Priyatna, SASO – Architecture Studio, Jakarta, Indonesia & Andi Subagio, SASO – Architecture Studio, Jakarta Indonesia

Customized Batako, Local Material for Vocational School and Ruteng Community

This abstract addresses the need of developing local building materials in Ruteng, a remote town in Indonesia, through a mixed approach of cultural-based low technology and global intellectual-based high technology. Local craftsmanship has always been the main tool as well as the source of inspiration for sustainable architecture and culture. Either for the building itself, or the people.

However, it doesn’t always work well with machine driven industry. Low-tech materials become less favored, and are being replaced by fabricated- products that need to be shipped from bigger cities on the island of Java. Those tendencies appeared since Ruteng is an underdeveloped city, caused by Indonesia’s uneven growth – especially in the economy sector. Along with low economic levels of the city, many other sectors are affected; including technology and education. Hence, the approach must both utilize and implicate high-tech for local industry not only to absorb the final product but also to improve the industry itself.

Indonesia has an enviable record when it comes to the Holcim Awards – and the current cycle has been no exception with an Awards Silver, Acknowledgement prize and Next Generation prize all heading to Indonesia. In addition to a media conference, a forum attended by architects, students and construction professionals illustrated the positive impacts of sustainable design – and raised awareness of the Holcim Awards competition in the process. 

Sustainable construction in Asia Pacific also means building for the community. This was clearly shown by the projects that won prizes in the regional Holcim Awards presented in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The three main Awards winning projects deal with buildings for education – involving the community and sustainably improving neighborhoods.

Can a school be more than a school? Taking on this question as a point of departure, the project for a teaching and learning facility in Ruteng on the island of Flores, Indonesia offers an alternative to the town’s existing temporary school barrack as well as the state’s current educational curriculum, proposing instead a school as hub for multiple activities – as community gathering space, as visitor center, as testing ground for local construction materials, as vocational training facility, and so forth. Based on an analysis of what the authors call “the town’s potentialities”, the proposal unfolds as an exploration of potential future opportunities translated in an architectural ensemble of discreet buildings that can evolve in time and as need may require.

School as community hub and tourism spot

In relation to the traffic of people commuting to and from Ruteng on daily basis, the city needs a new community hub. Its purpose is to not only become a venue of local attractions and events, but also sustaining local values and traditions. Also in the belief that the amount of spending and duration of stay will increase to help boost the city’s income, which will then impact on the increase of quality of living.