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.

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.

The story of this project started a few decades ago. The Indonesia-based non-profit, non-governmental organization Urban Poor Consortium (UPC) acquired a parcel of land at the edge of an existing village to protect local farmers from imminent eviction. Plans were recently made, with the support of local stakeholders, to transform the existing farmland into a training center for young farmers interested in promoting organic agriculture. Part of the initiative is to harvest local materials – such as bamboo that is abundantly available in the area – in order to erect a number of farming and training facilities on site.

Harvesting local materials as the main driver of architecture

We begin the design with the understanding of what material is abundantly available in the area. All bamboo used was harvested from sites that were planted nearly 20 years ago. Its type, dendrocalamus asper, stretches 15 m long with a diameter of 15 cm, is native to Southeast Asia and suitable to be used as both structural members and finishing. The roof material “hateup” (lined leaves of sugar palm trees) is also locally sourced, bought from local craftsmen. This material familiarity and appropriate technology allow for genuine involvement in construction and design by the members of the community.