Reflection Letter:
Hello! My name is Friendly Leonard Panjaitan, an architecture enthusiast currently in my 6th semester of studying architecture at Diponegoro University. I was born and raised in Bekasi for 20 years. In the architecture program at Diponegoro University, we are required to complete an internship in the 5th semester. During the process of finding an internship, I experienced quite a lot of pressure. Out of around 30 architecture firms that I applied to, only 3 responded to my application. And from those, one of them was RAW Studio—and thankfully, I was given the opportunity to join the internship program at RAW.
Through this writing, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the RAW family, especially Kak Rich, Kak Yudith, and all the designers, for giving me the opportunity to learn, meet, and work with such amazing people at RAW Studio.
December 15th, 2025 was my first day as an intern at RAW. During the approximately 2 months I spent there, RAW was not only a workplace, but also a second home and family to me. To gain experience at RAW, I initially had to commute daily between Jakarta and Bekasi. However, RAW provided accommodation for designers and interns, and I decided to stay there. Because of that, I was able to get to know the designers more closely, not only in the office but also outside of work.
Within these 2 months at RAW, I gained a lot of lessons and knowledge that allowed me to see architecture from a broader perspective. I learned many new things that I could not obtain in university, and experiences that can only be gained by directly engaging in the professional world. I learned that architecture is not just about 2D or 3D works, but about how we combine imaginative ideas into structural mechanics or complex systems so that those ideas can actually be built and implemented.
Above all, I am truly grateful to God because at RAW I felt truly alive—alive as a human being who can socialize, and alive as a design intern who can explore and express himself in architecture. Throughout this journey, RAW taught me that implementing a concept requires good communication and decision-making, as well as trust in one another to solve problems together. At RAW, I also learned how to create spaces that can be experienced by everyone without exception.
During my two months at RAW, I felt deeply connected to the designers—I already consider them as my own older siblings. Whenever I encountered difficulties in my work, they were always happy to help. During breaks, we often joked around. After work, we sometimes spent time together outside, talking about random things, laughing, and sharing fun moments. Even during working hours, there were light jokes that made the atmosphere more relaxed and less stressful. Not only that, sometimes we also spent time together sharing the same hobbies. That environment made my two months at RAW feel like six months. I will truly miss it.
Throughout my internship, I was often deeply impacted by what Kak Rich said. He constantly reminded us to always be grateful for what God has given us. Everything we have achieved is not solely because of our own abilities, but also because of God’s blessings. From that, I learned that to create spaces that can be truly felt, we must put our soul into them. Architecture is not merely a physical creation, but also an imaginative work in the form of space that has a soul and can be experienced by everyone.
Those words made me reflect more deeply on architecture. One of the most important aspects of architecture is not just its visual beauty, but also the soul within it that can be felt by everyone. It’s beautiful.
Through this writing, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to:
- Kak Rich, for giving me the opportunity to be part of RAW and for generously sharing his knowledge and professional experience. Every Monday morning, he always provided insights on what needs to be done and reminded us to stay focused on our projects. At unexpected moments, he would also give guidance on our work, helping us avoid going too far in the wrong direction.
- All the designers, who were willing to take the time to teach me both hard skills and soft skills, whether related to studio projects, software, academic experiences, or many other things. Thank you for always answering my questions, even when they might have sounded simple due to my limited knowledge. Thank you also for creating such a warm and supportive family-like environment.
- My housemates at Boboto, who spent time chatting, joking, and sharing moments outside working hours. Thank you for being my second home and for creating memories that I will never forget.
- The entire RAW family, who always welcomed me warmly and never made me feel like a stranger.
Lastly, I am truly happy and grateful to have been part of the RAW Architecture family. Even though my time at RAW was short, the feelings and experiences I gained will stay with me forever. I hope that in the future, I will have the chance to meet all of you again.
Best Regards,
Friendly Leonard Panjaitan
My Mayonnaise Jar 