Reflection Letter:
My name is Noémie Suchet and I am a Master’s student at the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de l’Île de La Réunion (ENSA Réunion). While attending an event organized by my school, the International Biennial of Tropical Architecture of La Réunion, I had the opportunity to listen to Kak Rich’s presentation. His sensitive vision of architecture and the depth of his work deeply resonated with me, reminding me of the reasons why I chose to study architecture and of my love for this discipline. Without hesitation, I went to tell him how much his presentation had touched and inspired me, and I expressed my wish to do an internship at Raw Architecture. Eight months later, this dream came true, taking me nearly 5,778 km away from my island to Jakarta.
On my very first day in Jakarta, my first stop was directly at the office. It was almost 7 p.m and a farewell gathering was being held for two employees of the firm. I felt a little nervous about meeting everyone at once and in such a setting, but that feeling quickly faded as I was welcomed with warm smiles and genuine kindness. The evening was filled with colleagues sharing anecdotes about the departing team members, sparking a lot of laughter, and many made the effort to speak in English so that I could understand and be included. From that very moment, I immediately sensed the unique atmosphere that defines Raw Architecture.
In the following weeks, I quickly became immersed in the rhythm of the office. Each day was a balance between learning new tools, like Rhino and Grasshopper for solar studies, and discovering the practical side of architecture through site visits. I was impressed by how naturally technical precision and creative exploration coexisted in the projects.
What struck me most was the spirit of the place. Shared meals, the sound of water flowing through the ponds, and the presence of animals created an environment that felt both professional and deeply human. It was a reminder that architecture is not only about buildings, but also about the atmosphere we create for people to live and work in.
Visiting projects outside the office gave me another perspective. From bamboo structures that seemed alive and breathing with the landscape, to houses where bioclimatic intentions were challenged by reality, I learned that architecture constantly moves between ideals and compromises.
Looking back, my internship at Raw Architecture was more than professional training – it was a life experience. It confirmed my desire to continue exploring therapeutic architecture and gave me the conviction that materials, natural resources, and the sensory qualities of space can profoundly influence our daily lives.
My Mayonnaise Jar 