Reflection Letter:
À la prochaine, Guha The Guild!
by Jaladri
Internships are a luxury. I admit that I am quite privileged to be able to afford an internship, especially one at RAW. We learned in a special place called “Guha”, the Guild, a school of souls.
Guha is not only filled with architectural books, not only a studio where we design for RAW’s projects, but more importantly, a literal library of (architectural) space. Guha is always evolving. Experiencing space at Guha completes the architectural library in our heads about what space can be imagined to be. Through Guha, I experienced how various types of space are, not just read theories from books. In Guha, we do not just understand the materials from material samples, but also experience the space directly. Space limitations are practiced to the extreme, with spaces that are stacked like a maze. Circulation doors sometimes can shrink to the point of we have to duck. We learn to trust to step on a laminated glass floor. We will not get this experience from a standard and “safely” designed architecture office you usually encounter. In Guha, you will redefine what you thought impossible and what is actually possible.
By definition, a Guild is an association of people for mutual aid or the pursuit of a common goal, an association of craftsmen with considerable power. “Maximum limit” is an adage that we hold. “Can we push further?” is a phrase that I often hear from Kak Rich. Push further the design quality, push further the empathy, push further time punctuality, etc. We’re together evolving to be the best at our own pace. Kak Rich’s principle is “be a helper first, use empathy, then be the best.” We work in synchrony, representing Kak Rich’s image for Guha: The Guild.
Interning at RAW reminds me of the story of Daedalus and Icarus. Icarus was instructed to fly between two extremes, not too high to burn himself with the scorching sun, but also not too low to drown himself in the sea. Icarus was instructed to find a good ratio. We can interpret this as a warning to avoid being too ambitious while also not being unambitious at all. In an age where the architecture industry feels less profitable because of the long career path, while there are more and more demands for higher standards, it is increasingly unlikely to “fly” in a balance between the two extremes. How many young people are exhausted by their excessive ambition? But also, how many young people never managed to develop their talents because they could not afford to live at the beginning of their architectural career? We can all think of relevant examples from friends, distant acquaintances, or even our lecturers. You need to find a good ratio of two to survive in architecture.
Although we taught with high standards, RAW/OMAH is a safe space to learn. It’s okay when you don’t know a thing or two. Here, we taught in detail. Details that make you feel safe because there is certainty. On the other side, everyone here is in the process of having a Daedalus level of craftsmanship. Everyone here can be a mentor for us to learn to fly without a tragic ending like Icarus. Because there are many mentors, we may seek the second, third, fourth, and so on, to gather the wisest opinions. Because there are many mentors, we don’t have to wait to ask for input; there will always be someone available for you to ask. And more importantly, because there are many people, the heavy burden of architectural products can be shared.
Interns participate between departments, not only to experience, but also to be able to put themselves in someone else’s shoes because they have been in the said department. With a good system and a good mentor, you can drastically increase brain interconnectivity and neuroplasticity in practicing a skill that you don’t master yet, even for two months. That’s just for two months, what about six months, one year, several years? Of course, architectural knowledge is endless, and no matter how much time is spent, it will not be enough. That’s why architecture is not a profession where, when we get a bachelor’s certificate, we are ready as architects. We still have to learn and need to choose architecture as a way of life. You can’t choose architecture as a day job; for now, you can only choose it as your whole life. It feels restless. But here in Guha, you can learn rapidly yet safely. That’s why we call this place a home for restless spirits.
Thank you to my mentors and seniors; Bang Joshi, Bang Kamil, Bang Nielson, Kak Revi, Mas Yusrul, Bang Zyadi, Bang Putra, Bang Ezra, Bang Acha, Kak Mei, Kak Gaby, Kak Aul, Kak Ikhsan, Mas Beng, Kak Rizka, Kak Uung, Kak Chai, Novi, Pak Singgih, Pak Sirin, Kak Riyan, Bang Zikri, Bang Meizzhan, Kak Shafira, Kak Ingrid, Bang Irfan, Kak Melisa, Kak Tyo, Kak Ala, Kak Adit, Bang Haykal, Kak Jocelyn, Kak Al, Kak Ufi, Kak Nurul, Kak Claudia, Kak Arlyn, Kak Fransisca, Kak Lulu, Kak Aryo, Kak Avi, Kak Devy, Bibi, and last but not least, Kak Rich and Kak Yudith.
When you intern in RAW/OMAH, the infinite architectural knowledge becomes visible in an achievable manner, as the steps that we can take one by one. You don’t have to fly and burn yourself like Icarus; you just have to take steps, one step at a time.
Trust the process.
My Mayonnaise Jar 