Hello,
My name is Clara Moulin, and I am currently on a gap year between my fourth and fifth years at the National School of Architecture of Reunion Island. This gap year, initially envisioned as an opportunity to enrich my professional and personal experiences, was profoundly marked by the two-month internship I was fortunate enough to complete at RAW Architecture in Jakarta between February and March. I discovered the firm through Kak Realrich Sjarief’s presentation at the Reunion Island Tropical Architecture Biennial. His talk particularly resonated with me and sparked a great curiosity about RAW’s vision of architecture. After discussing it with two friends who were also on Erasmus exchanges and shared the same interest in tropical architecture, this encounter turned into an exceptional opportunity: to join your firm for an internship I will never forget. Before my arrival, many unknowns surrounded this experience. Although I had already met some members of the team, either in person or remotely, I didn’t really know what to expect. I had no specific goals other than to learn, observe, and be surprised by Indonesian architecture and your way of working.
I was fortunate enough to join the analytical team, which welcomed us with remarkable generosity and kindness. The tasks assigned to us were extremely varied: studies of openings, material analyses, climate research, and much more. This work allowed me to deepen my technical knowledge while developing a more nuanced understanding of architecture adapted to its environment. One of the most valuable lessons of this internship was discovering true collaborative work. In an agency of this size, where many people participate in the design process, everyone brings their perspective, shares their research, and contributes to the collective evolution of the projects. I learned the importance of communicating progress, sharing ideas, and collaboratively developing a shared understanding. This dynamic of continuous exchange was particularly enriching. I am also very grateful to the members of the analytics team who took the time to train us on software we weren’t yet familiar with. Their patience, availability, and willingness to share their knowledge greatly contributed to the quality of this experience.
Beyond the skills acquired, it is above all the human dimension of this internship that has left a lasting impression on me. I discovered an agency where learning is ongoing, where nothing is set in stone, and where knowledge constantly evolves in step with architecture, research, and environmental challenges. RAW Architecture struck me as a true haven of knowledge, curiosity, and support. From the moment we arrived, we felt included and listened to. You did everything you could to make us feel welcome, and this made the experience even more valuable.
This internship allowed me to grow, gain confidence, develop my independence, and broaden my perspective on architectural practice. It also confirmed my desire to pursue architecture that is mindful of its environment, local expertise, and human interaction. I would like to sincerely thank Kak Realrich and the entire RAW Architecture team for their trust, kindness, patience, and generosity. The people I met and the lessons I learned during these two months will stay with me for a long time.
We promised to return one day, and I sincerely hope our paths will cross again. Terima kasih banyak.
Clara Moulin
My Mayonnaise Jar 