Mondrich, my little brother is getting married with Jessica, I hope the best for them.

I heard this song written by Putut Pudyantoro in their wedding titled Kasih (love) the song is beautiful and as a reflection that our life is filled with love.

“Andaikan aku fasih berbicara,
Namun tak punya cinta kasih,
Ku bagai gong yang bergaung.

Andai imanku mampu pindahkan gunung,
Namun tak punya cinta kasih,
Ku tiada berguna.

Kasih itu sabar, murah hati,
Percaya, tak angkuh dan tak dengki.
Kasih itu tak memegahkan diri,
Kasih itu kekal serta abadi.

Andaikan aku mendermakan hartaku,
Namun tak punya cinta kasih,
Tiada berartilah aku.

Kasih itu sabar, murah hati,
Percaya, tak angkuh dan tak dengki.
Kasih itu tak memegahkan diri,
Kasih itu kekal serta abadi.”

Rio has married with Mega now, I do hope the best for them as well. :)

 

This is the song for  boy and daugher who is innocent and creating lullaby of beautiful life.

There was a story …

Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed. Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.

Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot and ground coffee beans in the third pot. He then let them sit and boil, without saying a word to his daughter. The daughter, moaned and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. After twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. He then ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup.
Turning to her, he asked. “Daughter, what do you see?” “Potatoes, eggs and coffee,” she hastily replied.

“Look closer”, he said, “and touch the potatoes.” She did and noted that they were soft.

He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Its rich aroma brought a smile to her face.
“Father, what does this mean?” she asked.

He then explained that the potatoes, the eggs and coffee beans had each faced the same adversity-the boiling water.

However, each one reacted differently. The potato went in strong, hard and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak.

The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard.

However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new.

“Which one are you?” he asked his daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a potato, an egg, or a coffee bean?”

In life, things happen around us, things happen to us, but the only thing that truly matters is how you choose to react to it and what you make out of it. Life is all about leaning, adopting and converting all the struggles that we experience into something positive.

the story was taken from http://www.moralstories.org/struggles-of-our-life/

 

 

 

160501 “After every storm the sun will smile; for every problem there is a solution, and the soul’s indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer. ” William R. Alger

Last few months, we worked on one prestigious project, that made me mulled. It’s a project which consists of several international consultants, builders, and owner. It has high standard of the way building operates. High standard means a condensed manual consists of hundreds pages for architect to read before working on this project and intense interaction among each parties. There is also high level of technical issues because of project’s nature.

The contractor has been asking clarifications until, for us, it’s not necessary to ask every little step to architect because every information is in the construction drawing. at that time I tried to delegate the job to my fellow staffs, partners because of the circumstances that i had to travel to outside Jakarta. The coordination among consultants, builders, and owner went so bad, so the project did not run very well, there were lacking of coordinations, the team had very low chemistry and it seems that project manager was confused about what’s going on. The blaming game began. I felt it’s unnecessary, and thought that we would drop this project to save our position while our position was still safe.

My mind was wondering about path of life, the raindrops, the fear of becoming someone to be blamed, and the risk of being the care taker. I had to slept in the morning and had difficulty to sleep for several days, Miracle cried in the night time, Laurensia said, “miracle can feel, that his father is in trouble, and has many problem in his mind.”. But, I tried to ask myself, for this project which keep bothered my mind, do I want to quit ? do we want to stop ? off course, there will be comfort zone, but come on, the problem just arise, and suddenly you want to stop. Things became very difficult, because of blaming game began, everybody has fear to action, to take lead, if you take the lead,if something goes wrong, you will be blamed. I was in the fear, I tried to ask my fellow friends, nobody there,

then,

I always remember what Laurensia said to me, when i was down, “Honey, if you want to get stronger, you have to face it, I know you can do it. ” ” I know it is very difficult to face it, meaning that you  have to take a risk, but isn’t it same that the time that you came to Indonesia , back from London, or Sydney , or the moment you lost your firm, you finally re run it again. ” We have faced this kinda thing.

Then, after that , I decided, and  woke up in the morning, 3 am, read the manual, and reviewing the documents, and start calling clients, consultants, and start to clarify the miscommunication and helping other people in the big team which consists of like 7 parties. Several days were spent in the coordination and clarifications, it surprisingly followed with such a welcoming response from consultants, owners, operators, and the tension was dropped, we started to solve problem and acting like dream team. What I learnt from this process, is simple act, helping others while taking risk to be blamed is giving us, at least for me, happiness, and I feel so grateful because of taking this project, and having this great challenge.

The second story,  I had to move to our new home. Our house, named The guild. The guild was still on construction, and we had to move before the house is ready, the boxes were everywhere in the house. Laurensia was stressed in several days, and for our miracle, the dust was much everywhere in the guild , and the bedroom was quite dirty. If Laurensia, Miracle, and me need to move, the office which is located in the garage will also need to be moved, because my work nature which is always overtime in the daily week. We had spent several days for packing and moving our stuffs and whole office, the designers, technicals, admin, whole office family helped much in moving all of the thing and made the guild ready as much as they can.

We finally moved at one bright Sunday evening, in an unready condition, imperfect, or ongoing in construction. We felt blessed, suddenly the situation changed, suddenly we were so happy. We just realised that we were in our new home,

how we should grateful for all of the process.

… I love you Laurensia and Miracle, thank you for all of the office family who helped the moving process, welcome to our home, have a great day for all of you, bless you all. :) look at them they are so happy, and miracle so cute, hopefully he can walk in next few months, so he can explore, new world, new imagination in his life.

 

 

 

20160306 at Home Sweet Home  “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. “William Arthur Ward

 

I am really thankful for all of the situation which is happening around me and family, and beautiful people that I met every day.

In these few months, the economy is quite challenging. I am focussing in small bits design part, and keeping myself busy with upcoming design commission, and ongoing construction. I really want to go to travel to somewhere beautiful, but Miracle is still  4 months old. If we take the trip, he can’t go with us, doctor recommended that his age needs to be 6 months to be safe on the plane. Anyway,  what’s happening in these months? Saturday and Sunday are days for Miracle and Laurensia, while sometimes the time is for studio and omah . In these 4 months, Ordinary things happening every day, I love ordinary, three things which are : first old friend, second about Future life, and the third Ordinary design check up.

First, Old friend, first client, Charles asked me to do renovation for bare minimalist few months ago, it’s about the renovation, refining the crown for ME and redoing bare concrete finishes. We did some renovation for his project, I did small bit design for him, landscape, steel perforated plate detail to allow air coming to the ME space. Meanwhile, Song Chin, the editor from Malaysia asked bare minimalist to be published in his magazine, a couple of interviews, the magazine will be out next months, looking forward to reading it and get feedback from it.

House of  Frans Wirawan, is going to be published soon in local publication endorsed by Karlina from Laras, she and may my client seems to be happy, I’m happy for him. A publication, for me, is just a moment for reflection in our work, the writer justified all of the facts, and created such a story in appreciating architecture. From that point, several perspective might happened, I hope for critics for my work, as what as discussion with fellow architect friends  from time to time, that the evaluation attitude is needed to improve ourself to be better architect.

Second, Sometimes, some blessings happening in ordinary time because of many people helped us, supported us. We have to keep supporting people around us, such as Albert came to me about creating community village in Belitung, how he was so excited to build the village in Membalong area, South of Belitung. He and his dad Pak Agus, wanted to do good, of course, there will be a business premise, but the spirit is good. what we did in the program is to inject artist to the village, by creating, designing, and combining local and designer. hopefully,  this will make the village come to live. We have done the project, nicely, Albert is going to Singapore to bring in their new concept in joint collaboration with IMABARI, hope his project will be built soon. I can understand some of the commercial projects need gimmick marketing, the challenge is always, make the realization. In order to realize the project, the challenge and pressure will be there, the reaction to it, and the positivism will be very important.

Third, Just 2 weeks ago, We were selected by Indonesian Institute of Architect (IAI)  to do the design of Archery area, Football area, and Hockey area in Gelora Bung Karno. The dateline is strict and short. From what I see in the gap, that Architecture programming will be very important, it shows certain standard, budgeting, the flow of people,goods, executive, degree of privacy. At the end, it is about the responsible to be professional. From this point of view, we did a certain study for programming, before starting the design, and doing several scenario of circulation, mass, and activity. It’s like I am very critical about this in the design group with another architect, I did this in a purpose of being responsible for design decision which I think this will support the team with the correct ground, doing grounded design and functional design. It’s about the basic of the design, nothing more.

 

Things, the moment became the blessing in this challenging time. I am really thankful, and appreciate the kindness of all of the support of the family, wherever you are, please take care. We are moving to the guild soon.

 

160306, 04.00 am, OMAH Library, Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. Dalai Lama

I did lecture a month ago with just a good will for young architect. I got so much thing, nurtured by clients, being happy with the process being architect. I do love architecture, there are much about 3 story in the process : forming expedients, practicing alchemy, and practicing experiments. that session was my first time, thinking about profession.

The story of survival, comes when the resource is not enough. Based on last discussion in the little prince, there is little desperation among the young architect, they are very optimistic. They talked about the respect to the master, that they are willing to learn so much thing for being architect not even from one person, but from many person. They won’t give up, but interestingly, there are various job that was discussed such as junior urban designer and as architectural assistant while their scope of work is different. Architect is a certified profession in Indonesia, it’s like doctor, lawyer, accountant while urban designer is new, the product is more into vision and guideline. Being architect need to be social and contemplative as well, it depends on the your own value as an architect.

As a person who will be young architect might wonder on how the process of selection of an architect, this will answer how to get client: [1]

NB A survey by the RIBA in 2014 (Ref RIBA Journal February 2014) revealed that the most common methods of appointing architects were :
Direct appointment 50%
Competitive fee bid or financial tender only 21%
Framework agreement with or without further competition for specific projects 10%
Invited competitive interview (no pre-qualification questionnaire PQQ) 4%
Expression of interest / PQQ only (no design work) 3%
Expression of interest / PQQ followed by competitive interview (no design work) 3%
Expression of interest / PQQ followed by design competition 2%
Invited design competition (no PQQ) 1%
Open design competition 1%
Other 4%

Smaller practices tended to be appointed mostly by direct appointment (61%), whereas this was less common for larger practices (25%). So it’s pretty clear that architect need to be social person. In order to be social there are various book that is best pick : Outliers written by Malcolm Gladwell, Good to Great written by Jim Collins

In forming how to get selected , architect need to show his design work by portfolio, and set of quotation or even if it is based on trust, the quotation could be adjusted but it really depends on chemistry between architect and owner.

Even, Traditionally there are 3 standard ways an architect may charge: [1] as I mean standard, that is to be noted, that some of the contract and circumstance can be varied and modified as nature of the project changes.

1. A percentage of the build cost. This requires that an approximate build cost can be estimated (so that an appropriate percentage can be calculated) and that the scope and nature of the services required from the architect are known.

2. Lump sum fee. This is popular for home owners and small clients as it gives certainty about the total cost at the outset. Lump sum fees are appropriate where the scope of work required is well known when the appointment is made. If the nature of the appointment or of the project varies beyond agreed limits, then the fee may need to be re-negotiated.

3. Hourly rate. This is generally reserved for work where it is difficult to define the scope of services required or the nature of the project when the appointment is made. It is important in this case that fees are capped to a maximum that can be charged without prior agreement and that detailed records of hours worked are kept.

A percentage of build cost is the reasonable and most fair option but it needs the collaboration with the construction industry in best team to put the building in more efficient way and more advanced integration building system. Lump sum fee is picked because of the nature of the project is still unknown, the capability of the consultant and the contractor is unknown. Hourly rate is picked because the trust is small or the work is small. That is why I love to work on site, build on site, work with builder directly forming a relationship, craftmanship, social connection, or economic problem.

Good practice of architect firm was discussed by Bob Miklos, “There is a prevailing understanding of what is appropriate on a percentage basis,” notes Bob Miklos, a partner in Boston’s Design LAB. “We use a percentage … to establish the fee that becomes a fixed fee, to see if we’re in the ballpark.” This can range from 9 to 10 percent for new construction and basic services and consulting to 10 to 12 percent for renovations “in a good year,” Miklos says, while commercial projects ratchet down to 5 to 7 percent. (Renovation projects get higher fees because architects must investigate and document existing conditions that will be preserved, worked around, modified, or added on to.) [2] The standard is much lower in Indonesia while the billing is based on month and non personal cost

There are 2 various type of client :
1. Sympathetic client : this is friend for life who appreciate architecture.
2. Distrustful client : this is the harder part when there is compromise, actually it’s about alchemy process between architect clients.
3. Swing client : architect need to explain, share informations needed about technical and more to the design, also the nature of the project for client’s need.

choosing architect is a very difficult job,because client and architect need to be collaborate, and the expectation is high from the both side to create a beautiful and meaningful project for clients and for life of an architect. It’s worth it.

 

[1] http://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Architect’s_fees
[2] http://www.architectmagazine.com/practice/architectural-fees-whats-your-time-worth_o

20 February 2016 The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder. – Ralph W. Sockman

I had a discussion with David about creating bridge between academic and practice. We have a wish to bridge the gab, by introducing course to the young architect. He came up with such interesting proposition, two streams, critic and design. David will guard the critic part and me the design part. The lecture is starting today. I found it interesting because, some of the problem, what we called it appreciation happened because the public is just lacked of information about our profession.

“The lowest form of popular culture – lack of information, misinformation, disinformation, and a contempt for the truth or the reality of most people’s lives – has overrun real journalism. ” Carl Bernstein

David wrote some part of the critic which will improve the understanding of issue, building thinking and critical framework on appreciating architecture.

” “Design is not the icing on the cake but what makes architecture out of buildings and the places we want to live and eat and shop rather than avoid. Instead of less talk, what need are more critics – citizen critics – equipped with the desire and the vocabulary to remake the city. “(Alexandra Lange)
The main objective of architecture is to accommodate activities of man through making a place of space. Therefore, we can know the quality of architecture by assessing on how it performs it to function. This might be a rudimentary or even old-fashioned – explanation on architecture yet it becomes more vital now. Nowadays as building technology and design technology have been developing so advance, we have more architectural discourses on its quality of space, details, and form making. Even though in essence architecture is still doing what it does yet it is getting more complex. In other words, architecture becomes more difficult to understand since now it is weaved with many layers.

In this manner, we need someone who can translate and digest the thick layers of architecture in order for people to understand and to make a judgment on architecture. This is significant of the role of the critic. A good criticism will connect people to architecture and in a way will put architecture back to its place as a spatial medium for a man to live their life.

This course is not aiming to train or to produce professional critic. The aims of this course are to encourage everyone to conduct a good and fair criticism. By the end of this course, we expect that each participant can write criticism in a proper framework, logic, and structure with fun. Fundamentally, the operation of criticism is an act to put something or many things into its/their proper places and order. Therefore in the era of overwhelming social media and information, we have to encourage more people to think critically, to be more patience and calm in judgment and hopefully they can share their critical thought to public through many expressions; writing, exhibitions, or publications.”

Then, I wrote some of other paragraph for the design stream, this course actually is not learning in a master class, it’s more about practicing design. It’s about all of the basic thing being an architect.

“While we are designing, we are remembering all of our aspect of our childhood, our training, and time of practicing. Being a fresh graduate, The expectation of being an architect increased, from time to time, yet the profession is getting critical than before. Building technology, material are invented in every second. The industry changing, economy changing, culture changing, the context is changed but the foundation is never changed. In order to be able to practice, you have to learn the foundation of skill as an architect. It’s about knowing what you know, then do it fluently, sometimes without you are noticing because it is in your spirit. The skill is flowing, because of the design foundation.

The design foundation consists of three components. First It’s about mastering skill as an architect or realizing your expedients. Expedients mean the resource that you have in your starting design processes iterations such as previous design experience, background or even the most important cash flow.Having expedients is the most and first critical point to be an architect.

Second the skill to maintain all of the relationships in between man to man or it is an alchemy, and the effort to designing the building, Alchemy means a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination of man to man, man to society.

Third is about experiments, it is an elaboration of the set of the deep layer of skill on practicing, to keep the intention, and perfecting the product, Experiments means a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact. Then at the end, by going through these three cycle, architect forms a system for self-criticism to create another iteration in his or her life to be his or her own master. One master in architecture will believe that designing is sacred activity believing that doing architecture is more to nurturing our own spirit, it’s more to devotion.

This course aims for the participant to be able to practice being an architect or just increasing the appreciation of architect’s profession. This course won’t teach you being a star architect, or act like one. The aims of this course are to coach the good young architect generation. By the end of this course, we expect that each participant can have good architecture practice framework, know how to to analyze, to critic and to design, functional building by integrating MEP, Structure, and program, set a reasonable fee, contract, knowing your own limit and resources, and conduct a good practice for establishing career as an architect with optimism. Being architect is about to serve people with design capability and design responsibility.”\

I do hope what we are doing in this course will do good for young generation of architects as what we have been given so much thing in this profession. Greg, Fandi, and Rezki finally smiled, the class is already begun, and I am extremely happy, and look forward to see the alchemy started.

 

160203 Jakarta at OMAH beta, ” You are everything that is, your thoughts, your life, your dreams come true. You are everything you choose to be. You are as unlimited as the endless universe, ” Shad Helmstetter. 

Have you designed the building that dances ? this question echoed in my mind between the argument of concept and reality. Can we nail this concept. I was so afraid of walking on something unseen, we have not done this kind of approach before. Stephen J. Dubner argued if we loose ourself in the surrounding, be prepared with data, and amount of effort, whatever we do with such preparation, we will be ready.

The thought was coming that after seeing united dancer, a group led by bu Dhisti, merely thinking about inside out, form and idea, rational and emotion. We said to this couple, give us time to think about the concept of your house. Then, the proposal consists of 3 solutions, one was the plain box combined with strong axis, another one was combination of the playful boxes. We have tried these first 2 iterations in the previous project. But the third one, the curvy shapes option was the one that was unique, dare to be different, defy the stereotype, deconstruct our own thinking. The organisation of the design was broken in 3 parts, the entrance – services , living – foyer , and bed – pool. The curved wall divided each parts creating silhouette of form that dances. After several more iterations, the house starting to get its grid, and the form captured view by its blade. I was hoping that this house going to be great for them, for this couple.Anthony C. Antoniades discussed these impulsive, emotion, condition as inclusivity.

He stated that inclusivity can be treated through a number of approaches: [1]
1. through the inclusion of as many people as possible, to get scrutinise over and over.
2. through the inclusion of as many diverse point as possible with regard to what has been perceived and appreciated as good in architecture to achieve the optimum value. I think both of them are paradox, combining the thoughts to get the design right is massive work and critical thinking. The 5 point from Greene might be useful to break down this : innovation, mastery, authenticity, guts, and ethic.
3. through the inclusion as many ways of conception as possible, this is achieved by many design iterations, exercise, which is the most important part.

He looked at the many intangible and tangible channels one can harness in creating architectural design. By opening up architecture to the full range of creative influences, he tries to help readers produce designs that are richer on spatial, sensual, spiritual, and environmental levels. The book studied the topic of poetic of architecture in several section or sub object such as, intangible channels to architectural creativity divided by the process of creativity, metaphor, paradoxes, transformation, the obscure, poetry and literature, the exotic and multicultural. and more to tangible channels to architectural creativity such as : history, mimesis and literal interpretation, geometry, material, the role, association with other art, architectural biographies.  he categorized 3 way of poetic: the traditional, the arbitrary, and the contemplative.

I hope that the Building that dances represent the third way, the contemplative. We have been spending many design iterations, to get the form right, the angle, the function, and efficiency on construction. The design got matured by exercise by thinking the bolt and the screw, it was called the stage of creative pregnancy by Socrates. Where all the seeds of success (or not) are planted. The question is do we have patience and perfection in the phase of construction just to keep design and perfecting into the inclusivist attitude.

 

The Dream Team is :
Size : 350 sqm area
Owner : Mirza and Adhisty  
Collaborators : Miftahuddin Nurdayat, Tatyana Kusumo, Rio Triwardhana, Septrio, Rofianisa Nurdin, Hardiyanto Agung Nugroho.
Structure engineer: John Djuhedi
Supervisor : Sudjatmiko, Jasno Afif Angga, Yudi Atang

30 01 2016 East Java, “Watch and see the courses of stars as if you run with them, and continually dwell in mind upon the changes of the elements into one another, for these imaginations wash away the foulness of life on the ground.” Marcus Aurelius.

 

Rimba had birthday few days ago, we went to Puri Mall to celebrate his birthday. His fiance told me in some short chat that there was frustration in him, he was down sometimes, comparing himself with other. Sometimes he wanted to quit being an architect. I know for sure he will become good architect, he has capability to think in the deeper layer.

Nowadays when we are in the high speed of information era, there is problem in this society, this social media society, like what Zygmunt Bauman stated  “Social media are a trap” He argued that social media is a trap, the difference between a community and a network is that you belong to a community, but a network belongs to you. You feel in control. You can add friends if you wish, you can delete them if you wish. You are in control of the important people to whom you relate. People feel a little better as a result, because loneliness, abandonment, is the great fear in our individualist age. But it’s so easy to add or remove friends on the internet that people fail to learn the real social skills, which you need when you go to the street, when you go to your workplace, where you find lots of people who you need to enter into sensible interaction with.

… Social media don’t teach us to dialogue because it is so easy to avoid controversy… But most people use social media not to unite, not to open their horizons wider, but on the contrary, to cut themselves a comfort zone where the only sounds they hear are the echoes of their own voice, where the only things they see are the reflections of their own face. Social media are very useful, they provide pleasure, but they are a trap. [1] I think this is about digesting the information in this high speed era, the network is strong but the relationship is not strong. by having stronger relationship, we can care between each other, support each other.

Last sunday Greg told me the same thing, he sometimes want to quit as an architect. I know for sure he will become good architect because he is thoughtful and curious about new ideas. I couldn’t answer him, I was in silent, asked him to be patience, asked for his understanding that learning architecture takes time. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Rezki also asked after that, about if he did interior work, does it affect his career as an architect, well , Carlo Scarpa started his career as exhibition and interior design, he was acknowledged as architect just before he died. He is one of the greatest architect ever.

Feeling wanna quit is normal. I feel it as well time to time. Last time we had a project that we had worked on for several years. we put really effort into it for almost 3 years, then one time, the owner selected another architect because he paired with another investor without letting me know. At that time I felt devastated, dissapointed, angry nervous as well, but I couldn’t angry to anyone, it’s not my temper. I wanted to quit. At that time, I couldn’t do anything,

But, just after that we got another project from another client which is so fabulous, and that client is one of the best client ever who trusted us, and we made one of the most beautiful work ever.

The process is about to do your best and let it go, it is the process that is most difficult, much thing about bitter story. I am still looking, trying to have a patience as architect. Sometimes it’s hard.

I found this antidote for finding our ownself. It is a book written by Antoine de Saint – Exupery, the title is the little prince. The cover reminded me about this condition, and Miracle. I fell in love with this book. It is beautiful book about philosophical story of love and friendship, a reflection on how to distinguish what matters and what does not. There are 6  stories of him visiting asteroids when the he meet numbers of different people.

each of which was inhabited by a foolish, narrow-minded adult,

“First is the king who shows adult like to command and order, everything needs to be in order, lil prince then comments “grown ups really are very strange.

second,he meet the man who like to be praised, he is show off,

third,he meet the drunk man who wants to forget his shame

Fourth,he meet the man who count stars which has no purpose other than to count the stars. The stars resemble the wealth. It shows grown ups are greed

Fifth, he meet the lamplighter, resemble the time to rest, it may not be important as the others, but it is the friendliest compare to the others.

Sixth, he meet with the geographer, who wrote down the permanent facts, but he is not an explorer, he need people to explore the world, and it is the most important part.

Seventh, he goes to earth, where all of the character are there.”

People, said the little prince they dive into express trains, but they don’t know what they are looking for, They get restless and go around in circles. The story about this little prince, reminded me about the most important part in our life, our closest one, our passion. what matter and what does not. We just need to find our own little prince, a person who never give us answer when we question him, and we will know the answer by ourself, time will tell.

Little Prince : “I am looking for friends. What does that mean — tame?”

“It is an act too often neglected,” said the fox. “It means to establish ties.”

“To establish ties?”

“Just that,” said the fox. “To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world….”

― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

Time to go back to my home, I miss my Mircale and Laurensia so much. Laurensia sent this photo to me during trip :) Hallo :)

[1] http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/01/19/inenglish/1453208692_424660.html
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Prince

160116  ” The only way you can live your life to the fullest is by understanding that you do not have all the time in the world.”

What is the meaning of this 34th birthday ? Miracle was baptized last sunday. Watching him grow is one of the best birthday gift especially in 2016, he is 2 months old now. we look at him everyday, he has grown quite fast. I know that he will be good boy, blessed one. Also, Laurensia has taken care of our little family, she bought me long sleeve shirt that I like, new bag, and helped me to prepare food everyday. She is the most beautiful person in our family. She has strong heart, genuinely kind,

One time Javier friend from Shanghai said, about his mother who had helped him so much, he asked “mom how could I repay you ?” she said, if you want to repay me, just do the same thing to your child. Our parent never asked to be paid back as well, it’s like an unconditional love from parent to children.

In this moment, I feel blessed with studio that has pushed their effort for crafstmanship mastery , who has such fun and enjoyment, meeting friends to make architecture piece. and last, there are alway new people who we meet every day at OMAH.

all of those things, made my birthday as a meaningful time,
I would like to have a silent time, to rethink all of this.

silence, silence what are you seeking for, …
blue shadow,
is that you really want,
the sun is strong,
it’s yellow light,
I asked blue shadow and yellow light
I asked them,
for silence,
do you really wanted a silence ?
silence is painfull ?
nobody wanted to be alone ?
Is that why you made all of these ?

Suddenly the people in the studio made such a unique video for my birthday. we laughed over laud watching their creativity. In this birthday we are  so grateful to hear all of the greetings from friends, family, and so many kind hearted people. I’m sure our family don’t need silence anymore. This video was like celebrating the old memory, last time they pushed hard for project in Lombok, and suddenly I walked at 11.45 pm, because I wanted to see Laurensia and Miracle. The studio then, sounded very loud, many people laughing, they were making this video which was very creative and honouring.

Oh God thank you for all of the wonderful bitter and sweet memory, we can smile now. I hope that we can be useful person in this short stay. I remember one quote from Yogi Raman, found by Robin Sharma, written in his book, Monk who sold his Ferrari,

“What makes greatness is beginning something that does not ends with you.”

Jakarta, 3th January 2016, “The world is wide, and I will not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum.” Frances E. Willard

https://www.instagram.com/p/3lVIH6ArTp/

There was a time when the friction happened in the builder workshop. There was Grandong, one painter who was not happy with job given by Jasno who is senior supervisor, plus Grandong was persuaded by another supervisor about the condition in another team. So Grandong envied the condition, which was actually same in the other team that was treated by different supervisor, different boss.Because of this friction They have not communicate for few weeks. One supervisor handled one team, another supervisor has another different team. That is the way I set up the builder system.

There had been small fight, and miss-communications between all of them. After I had a talk with all of them, the problem of this was actually, that Grandong wanted a better condition for himself and his family. Off course there will be a better condition for the supervisors, better paid, greater responsibility.

The situation solved by raising the wage all of the builders. It’s normal to have wage raised, the expense in city raised up in this year so why don’t we keep all of the good people by giving them decent salary. Every year the salary need to be raised.

Pic by rezki

After that the situation went normal, the bright point, I can have the iterations about discussing and executing again the new material that I wanted to try in the workshop. There were moments that I cherished as good process,

First this time, I tried to use brass as edge finish, using brass as finishes material is difficult because it’s uncommon, unusual, not many metal welder can deal with that. Brass is used because of its beautiful gold color, shinny, and bringing lightness when it is used comined with marble or concrete, it has lower melting point, so It can be easier to weld. The objective is to get shimmering gold color at the edge of the concrete.

Second, Another thing that was happened in the building workshop is the way of drywall constructed, by having 60 x 60 module, 12 mm plywood, in total height 3.00 m. The middle of the drywall could be filled with electric cable, switch, air conditioning unit pipe. Actually even we don’t need brick finish for internal wall. Nevertheless For the wall as periphery from interior to outside, as the idea is for thermal insulation, the brick is needed.

Third, There was process for stacking rooster, as the creative process happening, we tried to rotate the rooster 45 degree, and another 45 degree on top of each rooster, we did exercise in 3d modelling in computer. after we tried stacking it for a day in the site, we found out that the stacking rooster need bracing, so we need to redo it again, divided by 3 hollow 5×10 to divide the space, Sometimes the hand talked the construction, the iteration happened not only behind the desk of the studio.

The building workshop played important role on forming the way I think about architecture but in outside world, its function is under rated.I believe on the interactions between builders and architects with be fruitful to achieve master piece. It’s about quality not merely quantity.

here is the people that I love to work with, pak Singgih, pak Sudjatmiko, pak Misnu, pak Endang, pak Jasno, pak Eno, pak Eddy, pak Yudi, Tata, Pak Edy. They are the person who has been giving their huge effort on executing, and help me on executing design iterations of forming craftmanship on site.

Bandung – Paris van Java, 151217. ” It belongs to the imperfection of everything human that man can only attain his desire by passing through its opposite.” Soren Kierkegaard

“I think you have to go to outside the country again to learn the opposite.”
Agus said it quietly when we had discussion during lunch at Bandung. At that time, RAW had project in Bandung that was about ground breaking, a small house for Rusda. I had few hours before going back to Jakarta, I went to Bandung with Pak Djatmiko and Pak Misnu.

Agus and me had lunch together at one cafe near ITB. Few years back in 2002, Agus was a librarian in Architecture Department Institute Technology of Bandung, and I was still a student at that time. We were introduced by Gunawan Tanuwidjaja. Agus was from Cibangkong, he said the area was well known as one of the densest neighbourhood in the world. Together with Gunawan, we made one small group who had a dream to provide digital library at that time, we were naive, tried to document some of the knowledge with limited resources, and using our spare time.

Agus tried to make a point when I listened to what he said. He was just someone who love architecture so much, believe on such ideal thing that humanity should colour architecture. He was just not as confident as before, sometimes he said that he is not an architect, he should not critize architecture. However, people critise because they have point to say, one view point, starting with an argument, going to another argument, label comes second.

Agus started his argument by describing the time I had worked in Foster and Partners, few years back, then worked on doing architecture at RAW. He concluded that experience resembled Soejoedi in one side. Soejoedi was one of the prominent architect few decades back in Indonesia, he mastered the modernist language, based on rationalist approach, ratio supremacy. then he continued,

“You are complete just if you try to understand
the heart of the architect,
not the ratio…
You need to go learning again,
someday,…
to learn the opposite side,
being complete like Mangunwijaya. “

then, Agus continued that the opposite side is resembled by Hasan Poerbo. A great father of public housing few decades back who had deep concern on technique to provide housing for people. He was the person who challenge the prototype of urban housing in Indonesia. Agus continued,

“forgive me
but I am not an architect,
I wanted to critize some of the prominent architects,
look at the joint,
look at the material met,
It is not special,
so why I bother to praise it.”

Agus was right, from my point of view, he was honest about how he feel about architecture that he had seen. Its his blink ability judged the quality of the process.

I remember one time we went to Sendang Sono, Wisma Kuwera, both of them was designed by Mangunwijaya, and church of Pohsarang that was designed by maclaine pont (together with family). I look at the joint, the construction was honest, humble, and creative to answer efficiency, function, less about the fashion. There will be function and there will be fashion, all of us are seeking for equilibrium.

https://www.instagram.com/p/LZWZXCgrdR/?taken-by=rawarchitecture_best
https://www.instagram.com/p/LZXZyzArdl/?taken-by=rawarchitecture_best

After that we had discussion about rural studio, a studio that was found by Samuel Mockbee. I also remember about Studio Mumbai which consists on a group of Indian architects and craftsmen, all resident artisans of Studio Mumbai, headed by Bijoy Jain, one of India’s foremost architects. in my rational thought I thought that the approach of being architect will be same, whoever the client is, however the context will be different, the budget, the attitude, the material, the expectation would be different but the approach will be similar. In my heart thought, I think that the design process will be quite different, we need to approach the another side by much heart, to understand the deeper layer of who is in charge with the project. The craftsmen on field, the very specific expenditure which can drive specific experiments, deeper layer of innovations, the bolt and join, to answer Agus critics.

There were times that it looks like that there are opposite sides.
one time, …
I was in the train
going to somewhere place.
I started to look around,
why there was nobody around.
and asking
why is nobody here ?
I saw strangers in the strange train.
I don’t know anybody here

Suddenly I woke up
and many people were there,

Laurensia was there,
Miracle was there,
people in the studio were there,
people in the workshop were there,
people in the library were there,
many close friends were there.
many strangers were there

I saw Agus was there.
he asked
“Good morning, how are you ?.. “
destiny,
coincidental,
fate,
perfection,
every part has a partner,
we are not alone

https://www.instagram.com/p/gSkkTgArfz/?taken-by=rawarchitecture_best

Jakarta, 151612

I just got a letter from Bu Nina Subiyanto and family. There were words, and cherry blossom framing white house at Washington DC. The picture is beautiful, the card was kept by Yudith, she was seemed to like it so much, I do so, because of the wish for miracle and our family.

“Buat Ril and Yudith

Selamat atas kelahiran putra tercinta…

semoga Ril dan Yudith dilimpahkan sehat dan bahagia untuk membesarkan”Miracle” sesuai namanya yang menjadi bukti dari kemurahan Allah kepada kita semua, semoga ananda Miracle menjadi anak yang membawa keberkahan terhadap sekelilingnya, menjadi manua humble dan berhati bersih seperti kedua orang tuanya dan juga menjadi manusia yang dekat dengan sang Pencipta,

my wish to you and your family…

With love and kisses

Nina Subiyanto dan Bayu juga Ajeng dan Ibu Atie”

I am touched by the letter and the wish for Miracle, … thank you bu Nina, max Bayu, Ajeng, Bu Atie, we are glad we met few years ago. God Bless you all.

 

Miracle is already one month old. I love my wife and him so much, being blessed by this wonderful son is fulfilling. Thank you God for this beautiful gift. He knew when his father and mother wanted to have dinner, he would keep silent, after we finished dinner, he would scream, and asking for milk. I laughed with Laurensia, while I was driving on the street that I used to go,

I remembered 6 years ago, I drove through this street, my memory flickered and Laurensia’s face came up, she was not still the same like before, more beautiful, holding baby Miracle, I was feeling so blessed. Miraclerich brought miracle to our family, blessing, happiness. All of the sweet memories, hopefully it will last.

I remember verses by Shantideva in book titled Altruism written by Matthieu Ricard, I change I to Miracle, hoping my son could be a miracle to society.

May miracle be a guard for those who have no protector A guide for those who journey on the road.
For those who wish to go across the water,
May he be a boat, a raft, a bridge
May he be an island for those who yearn for landfall, And a lamp for those who long for light;
For those who need a resting-place, a bed;
For all who need a servant, may him be their help.
May he be the wishing jewel, the vase of plenty a word of power and the supreme remedy, May he be the tree of miracles,
And for every being the cow of abundance
Like the earth and the pervading elements, Enduring as the sky itself endures,
For boundless multitudes of living beings, May I be their ground and sustenance
Thus for every thing that lives,
As far as are limits of the sky,
May he provide their livelihood and nourishment Util they pass beyond the bonds of suffering.

I think my hope for miracle, is also our hope for ourselves. to be useful to others.

I have much to say why my reputation should be rescued from the load of false accusation and calumny which has been heaped upon it. -Robert Emmet

Yesterday I was quite surprised seeing the post on Facebook about the work of my student, Evan Kriswandi, Gideon Sutanto, Reynold Adiputra, Michael Jo . They got 2nd prize for Sinar mas Competition. There was people questioned about the scheme that my students worked on, the scheme was questioned on its originality, presumably it was questioned as similar with the other people works who had won the second and first prize of other competition few years ago. This question was about ethic, not about the scheme, but to see the ethic, one can analyse the scheme and think about the brief of the competition, which was quite different and the result was different at all. By looking at the premise, the question failed, it became rhetoric, I would think that It’s accusition. It’s not fair for my students.

Few hours, after the discussion in his post. Avianti Armand wrote in her timeline, a note for herself which I think is valid for this context that the questions should be analysed with further data before we posted it to public, social media before we judged people. Because if those premise failed before we accused other, the writer will look stupid. She wrote it as a note for herself, but actually I feel so sad.

I feel sad for all of these unimportant debate, discussion or whatsoever.

I feel sad because of the effort of 2 months work made by the students, their good name was judged based on one false interpretation. I followed their effort each week, watching the scheme scrutinized over and over, deconstructed over and over, looking it over, and I looked at the process. What if I wasn’t there, I wasn’t there looking, was there any people to back them up ? what if this thing happen in other area ? Do we actually have that ethic to appreciate others ? do we have the intention to build good relationship on building good profession.

I feel sad because, is it really our level of understanding architecture deep enough to innovate ? I felt so dizzy, and quite angry of this debate and waited for objective discussion came in. and waiting for more positive people will join the debate. I feel sad because, the road of becoming architect for this young students, still long way, and they faced reality that judgement, accusation will color their path. It’s not only to my students, but for all of the young people.

But at the end, I am feeling happy that the have faced this situation in their young age, their first few days after graduation so they can wake up. I feel happy to support the young people like them, to grow because I have been helped by number of fantastic altruistic people, to help my practice grow. I have been helped by number of positive support by people surrounding me. So young people, keep on fighting, don’t be afraid to speak your words. be brave ! I am at your back, the objective is not to hate people personality, but to discourage judgement and to spread more love of architecture. after all architecture is not only profession, but it’s more than that.

Few days ago I was invited by Rofianisa Nurdin to talk about work in the her community, Creative Mornings Jakarta. It was quite difficult to find a content of what I would say in the sharing session. I had been thinking about the content for few days, asking people in the studio about what usually people wanna hear. And then, I realised, rofi’s last day was on friday as well, it was the day of the creative morning session. so I started the lecture, by being honest about my feeling, in this few years, reflecting the time passed in the studio, the lecture was made for her.

There are 4 phase in my interpretation of idealism in the architecture so far . These phases enrich the whole process of the architecture. It started 4 years ago when I was trying to enjoy the time in the studio, so I tried to make the situation as comfortable as I can with limitation of having small studio, starting a room 3 x 3 m then attacking the garage which is 3 x 10 m.

The first phase , I love to drink, chill out with people and I love books, reading them has been a culture, a sacred activity every day. So I will mix both of them, book represented work, all of the knowledge in the architecture practice, manual of design, book of standard, book of case study, and book of the masters. The drink represented, how I really respect, cheers the process , the laugh, the sad when we lose projects, and the happiness seeing one project get built, to another project which testing our passion. Ingeniousity in my world is about to respect knowledge : the intense talking about the project between the core member of the project, the process of sketches in mind and bringing it to table. one represents work, another represents aholic. both of them made workaholic.

The second phase, I remember we have a table tennis table in the studio, one time I asked Ari, the all season guy and pak Pudin, the carpenter, hung the table by steel cable, and suddenly the table floated. When the table floated, it brought new way of playing, we could move the table, when we smashed the ball, we can also move the table. The playing part was bit funny. That was deconstruction of idea, and construction of new way of thinking architecture. In everytime I design, I tend to find, observe on ideas. It’s twisted, to find new idea.

The third phase, It was a calling to nurture all of the designer that helped me in the design process. They have been pushing so hard. There had been a time that the people in the studio was in contract for one year, we’ve got 12 people in the studio so every month there would be one person leaving the office and one new person coming to the office.  one time, I couldn’t take it anymore, and I didn’t celebrate the graduation of the designer in the studio. But after that I realised that It was normal for freshgraduates to do that. So this changed my way of thinking. I really start to think how to teach them in the 1 year time. Strangely after that, they wanted to stay bit longer, I was grateful because of that.

The fourth phase is about how to give to other. I saw architecture was far or exclusive  from public in Indonesia. It was happened like that because the nature of architecture itself is based on commision and that is the nature of architecture. During the discussion with several people, So I was thinking to create one platform for young people to learn architecture, so OMAH was created after finished the construction of pak Misnu’s house named Murakabi which meant “usable house for all.

In walking through these 4 phases, there will be crossing of answering the question, what do you really want and what does the society want. The main process is finding sympathetic client and firing distrustful client. The sympathetic client is worth to be second, third, and being continuous client.

Having work in our studio, is like working in the good place that make you smile everyday. we are building memory with the people around us, the happiness and the sadness. I cried because of architecture was far from sacred in my world, term sacred, creates a moment that i have to treat architecture as   a life, guard it with heart, do it wholeheartly.

I met Rofi few years ago when she filmed Bare Minimalist. I knew her from the writing that she did. She has such skill on forming framework through text, but still striving to do further iteration in design. She had been working so hard in the studio, contributing in making the framework for the design project. She put the huge effort, and huge happiness, and I would say warmth in the studio. She is happy as always, she trained herself very hard, sometimes not many people can see that, but I can see it clearly, that she became one best designer combined with strong framework, great attitude, and such interesting altruistic work with her creative morning. I was sad to release her, but I know that she has bigger thing to do rather than staying at the studio.

Rofi’s warmth and happiness had been coloring the studio with such amazing moments. Inspite her happiness, she had deep untoldable sadness as well. The more you happy actualy you have gone sad before. I was sad like ussual having one person go. But i will be happy to see her flying, support her. People come and go leaving memories, much of sweet memories, such little of bitter memories, as rofi’s leaving the office, she will come back. I hope for that, shaped by more critical environment, more challenging atmosphere, with so much love that this world can give.

Singapore, 031215. “Remember, teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability.” –Patrick Lencioni

I was curious about what is inside National Gallery of Singapore what makes it great, in term of process and product of its piece.

Yesterday, Scott, Miftah, and Tatyana had survey site to National Gallery of Singapore with me . It was the opening day for the National Gallery of Singapore. It is the fruition of 8 years hard-work. I’m sure they are excited with the meeting. It just turned out, that the meeting was fabulous, more than it was expected. We are meeting with probably one of the smartest team in gallery design in the world.

In meeting there were people who in charge with the building of National Gallery of Singapore, Director : Sushma Goh, advisor from Studio Milou who is Gallery expert : Guillaume Levy-Lambert, Senior Associate from Studio Milou : Wenmin Ho, the one from CPG (I will update his name after asking Scott), Curator : Lisa Horikawa, and few other people . We have our head of the gallery, pak Tubagus Andri, Arya Abieta, Bayu Genia, Afrina, and our currator Citra. The scheme of the National Gallery of Singapore is intimately exercised from the initial process of forming the brief with the function brief consultant in almost a year to just think about the brief. The competition shortlisted 5 more finalist, and selected 3 more detailed scheme to be exercised. Studio muele in joint collaboration with CPG won the design.

The design consists of 3 main design intentions. First, digging, excavating the land to open access to one to another building to extend the exhibition space at ground, 1st floor, 2nd floor. Second, creating open layout space at the roof top. Third, the create structure solution to strengthen roof, whole floors which needed to be taken all before rebuilding new floor plate. This whole process took out all of the floor plate except the city hall area, left the facade, and rebuilding it again. I was astonished by all of the effort, and the humongous data that the have gathered and exercised in this building. The process, I am sure the bitter part, need lot of effort and time, but the result is sweet, and that can be experienced by Singapore people. It’s pride of nation which can be leveraged to louvre and British Museum.

Now, looking on by what we have in National Gallery of Indonesia. We won the prize 2 years ago. We have so much things to do, to prepare which is convincing people, and having right attitude, and confidence in one of the most difficult part which we need extra effort to push, to check list, sometimes we do it in our free time, little expenditures. Comparing to 500 million of Singapore dollar that they spent on this museum project, our project is 1/10 of their budget, but I think even tough budget is important, It’s not everything. The data of the National Gallery of Singapore has collected is worth much to value of the bit.

It’s a critical process for evaluating the National Gallery of Singapore process, and looking for what we have, the expenditures, the environment, the process, the realisation, the technology might be different. The nature is different, that is why the design which need to solve this bit of process need to be very responsive in all of the stages. We really need to form a integrated team, to shape our own Indonesia’s national gallery. This humongous process of the iterations converges again in this trip.

What I love is the way that Sushma explained the brief, and the realisation of the project somehow recalled what I saw in Scarpa’s work. It’s intimately telling story about how things made, and the detail, the gab between joint, was exercised. The way that they protected, preserved the old artefacts, previous settings in city hall, the library, the wood finishes, the sloping of the ram, the detail, lamp fitting, the air conditioning ducting, the design of the grill, the skylight which open beautiful light to the sky was appreciated deeply by me.

After the meeting,
in the evening We chilled out at Marina Barrage after the meeting.
I looked at the sky,
and thinking all of the possibility,
The benchmark.
I thought that
the leverage is much higher now.

I miss my family again :)
today Rofi is having birthday, we are going to celebrate it in the studio.

credit to the National Gallery of Singapore picture to Tatyana Kusumo

It is my first time to take trip to Cilacap for seeing project with Rio after birth of Miracle. we will spend 2 days 1 night trip for 14 hours in train, I left miracle and Laurensia. I missed them, I am looking forward to see them again.

here is our strange library, OMAH. These are 4 kids standing from the crowd who helped me in OMAH. Honestly I’m just doing this for fun, and willing to help the young generations, and myself to understand architecture in deeper layer, the under layer within one architecture.

This library is strange library, but it’s not like a story of strange library in Haruki Murakami’s book which is The story of a lonely boy, a mysterious girl, and a tormented sheep man plotting their escape from a nightmarish library, OMAH is paradox from haruki’s story, it’s a hope for better architecture work in the future. GO restless spirit !!!

[1]http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-strange-library-haruki-murakami/1120262519#productInfoTabs

“Frank, why you design your house like this ?”
“because I like it”
“so you don’t like my project”
“I don’t like it”
“so why you worked on that project”
“because I did it for living”
“you shouldn’t do that then”
“yes, I won’t do that anymore”

that was a concise transcript from the interview of Frank Gehry, in a book by Barbara Isenberg. After that situation, the client left Gehry, and Gehry was terrified for his future, how he would pay his staff without his client. He had difficulty to explain his ideals to the clients, and the clients did not value his design approach. It turned out that Gehry was okay, and the client was okay. Gehry finaly built, Bilbao, and finaly he designed Louis Vuitton Foundation. The client was even more successful, it was happy ending story.

I have another story in just past month.

“The design of the building is below my criteria, this is not sustainable building.”

One time, one man who was the coordinator said it in my first meeting with him . At that time, I was wondering why did he said that, did he know the design intent from the beginning ? did he know the value that was extracted during meeting with clients ? I was angry and argued, that the building is sustainable, and we have got the design approach right from the beginning.

after our explanation, he just noticed that he didn’t get the latest drawing done by us, what he got is the latest drawing done by the previous consultant. I was angry and sounded quite hard, because of the judgement from him without further analysis. I think this is always happened, to get the judgement by its cover. This is problem when people has difficulty to know architect’s intent. I felt sorry because I kind of angry and the situation was not to comfortable for both of us.

Louis Kahn contemplated a romantic picture when he designed the Salk Insitute in California. Scientist would walk up and down between the laboratory building and the plazal the would engage in heated debates about the problems of the world; they would pause to “chalk an equation or draw a diagram” on the slabs of slate that Kahn had placed there for their convenienve. But as Arthur Danto has observed that no bodey was ever there nobode but architectural touris. Kahn was almost hopeless in his romanticicsm, hoped people would rist the the architecture but rarely did or do. [1]

Ironically in architecture without architects, Rudofsky discussed that architecture is not made or designed by individuals or groups intentionally to produce meaning. It happens in Parc de la villete in Paris that the meaning is understandable only if people, through text and narrative know how is understandable by public. This is our home work to explain our idea to the other people other than architect. After that the narrative will come alive as what it was designed. If we have enough experience, the allegory will be decreased if we are more sensitive,of maybe even increased if we lack of information, and disrespect to the other.

The last part is all about alchemy with other people, which proves that my experience with the project management is a process to face other, to explain the architecture, to be patience with the gab of knowledge, to be patience with the judgement, because sometimes it’s just happen in the wrong timing, and wrong place, made by future friends, a fragment of happy ending. I just remember piece by Jaya Suprana played by Priscilla Yosephanie. The title of the piece is Fragmen.

[1] Danto, Arthur. Philosophizing Art : Selected Essays, Berkeley : University of California Press.
[2] Rudofsky, Bernard, Architecture without architect.

He was born on thursday 5 th November 2015. His born is one miracle for our small little family and bigger family of Laurensia’s and Me. I was very happy for this, has been smiling in my action. I think something is different, it’s like having support and energy everyday. It kept us smiling and grateful of all of the blessings in life.
Richard Templar stated that In this life we seek for meaning of life. Observing life in general , people very broadly seem to fall into two main camps : those who seem to have mastered the knack of successful living and those who still find it all a bit of a struggle. He observed the secret of successful living, he said some things we do will make us unhappy and some things we choose to do will make us happier. He divided the rules of life into five areas – us, our partner, our family, our social circle (including work and friends ) and lastly the world. he wrote number of rules, there are 2 rules of 100 rules that made miraclerich is such a contentment for life, and stating our rule as parent to nurture him.

The first one is contentment is a high aim and the second one is the role as a parent.

The first rule showed that the happiness is such an illusory thing that spending too much time chasing it is not very worthwhile. Happiness is one end of a spectrum – misery being the other end. Templar then stated that there will be excitement of birth of a child, relief at a successful birth, but not sure about happiness after that. The most important thing is he said, “fireworks, butterflies, unbelievable feelings. It’s brilliant. It’s extreme. But that intensity can’t and won’t last. You have to go back to reality sometime…. Contentment is what you hope for after the elation has worn off and you settle back into a relaxed and happy simplicity. In fact, contentment is the worthier aim, because it lasts… if you find you are with somebody where there is no big firework display, palpitations and extreme of feelings but there is a baseline contentment and warmth and love – be happy with that.”

The second rule showed that what our duty as a parent. That we have to make sure they eat the best food, best education, developed their own best interest not the one we are keen on, set boundaries what the can and can’t do with acceptable level of discipline. We should provide safe haven, no matter how much trouble they’ve got themselves into in the big bad world outside. We should be firm ,loving, sharing, caring and responsible. We will stand up for them, protect them and keep them safe. We will stretch their imaginations, and feed them with stimuli, so they are excited about the world, finaly templar said,

“You will approve of them, boost their self – esteem, improve their confidence, … and when the time comes for them to leave the nest, you will help them pack and keep giving that support while they find their feet (or should that be wings ?).

not much then really.”

Miracle is easy to care by us, he is quiet even when he pee, poo. He cries only when he is hungry other than that he faced our face with his little eyes, and stayed silent, sometimes smiled. He reminded me of Laurensia, his calm, and perseverance attitude. Me and Laurensia said to him, “Son if you have problem, please let us know, we will help you, don’t stay silent.”

Look at the trees, evergreen, its branches stick to each other. If there is tree standing alone, its branch usually fall down easily during rain, snow, or hard season. We are not different than the trees, when bad thing comes sooner than we expected in this life. We need support from others to keep standing. There is one poet from anonymous. The title is Foot Steps,

Walk a Little Slower, Daddy, Mommy

“Walk a little slower Daddy, Mommy” said a child so small,
“I’m following in your footsteps and I don’t want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast,
Sometimes they’re hard to see;
So walk a little slower, Daddy, Mommy,
For you are leading me.

Someday when I’m all grown up,
You’re what I want to be;
Then I will have a little child
Who’ll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right,
And know that I was true,
So walk a little slower, Daddy, Mommy,
For I must follow you.”

Miracle, Laurensia, and me will walk a little slower, but no need to follow us, world is waiting for you, we are still here :) My world is changing now, I do many smile all of the time,  Laurensia keep smiling all of the time. It’s all because this miracle. Just like my friend, Kolael said “It is now new life for you. Wish it will be field with joy and happiness”

[1] Templar, Richard. The Rules of Life.
[2] Van Ekeren, Glenn. 12 little secret towards happy life

She was smiling, laughing. Tommorow is our big day. I knew she was scared of the cesarian, hoping everybody would be all right, thinking the bad thing, what might happen. She is sleeping right now, I feel more relaxed but I still could not sleep until now, 2.30 am.

Edhie said, “Tommorow you are going to be a father, do many smiles”. I smiled looking his text to me while we were discussing about his house, the skylight, how the skylight will lighten statue of Virgin Mary. I knew him since 3 years ago, suddenly we met in one time, talking and discussing about how warmth one house should be, he is like my family, full of warmth and compassion to the  people around him, his aura is positive, hoping the great for future of his family, friends. 

After Hearing him, I just noticed that I have been quite nervous, seldom smile, and bitter, to feel afraid of many things which is unsure.  I tried to cover with smile which was covering sadness. I was dishonest about my self. I am looking for my light, in the abyss, dragging myself deep to nowhere, until just last night, Laurensia sent me the story about red the little reminded us about cherry. how she has been crying all of the time.  Here is the story

I love you, Laurensia, Miracle, Cherry. Thank you Edhie, I will do many smiles. :) thank u for the pray.

Yesterday was the last day for Jovita. I was thinking that RAW is like mutant school in X men, their character just unique by person. Having her graduation was like to let go the beast, one character in marvel full of blue Furs for the ordinary people out there. Some people said she is the phoenix that in fact that her face is rectangle, stiff, her heart shows warmth. All of the people around me, they are doing huge favour for me. I feel so blessed, and being thankful.

I started RAW practice, which I always think off like a mutant school or “Rumah Petak”, in such small room, 3 x 3 meter, it used to be guest bedroom, I spent times sleeping in that room with my grandmother when she need accompany. The room is nice, it faced north side, it was bright for the whole day. It’s located at my parent house. The 3 x 3 m then extended to the garage, space which is 3 x 10 m , a long narrow space, and then mezzanine located on top of it with further exercise of most efficient space, most appropriate lighting, and most reasonable material in this tiny space. The numbers got increased, many young people joined the studio. Today it consists of 20 people including myself. The place was scattered, disorder, full of paradox in its neat reasonable planning. It shows paradox, challenging its status quo time by time.

The table was flipped standing on top of ceiling, the quote of einstein was carved in the entrance saying “ if your ide is not absurd enough there is no hope for it.” Sometimes I try to challenge each project to its limit, by our hard work, deep observation, and numbers of experimentation. I always believe in fresh ideas, fresh meat from our mind.

Is the architecture has singularity effort ? I don’t believe idea that is architecture is a one person’s holistic work, but It could start with one ideas, and the idea got refined, as a part of creative pregnancy. There is no singularity in terms of creating product of architecture. I found out three way of thinking about architecture studio, first that studio should be a container of ideas, place where the experiment should be brought forward, the premise should be challenged. Second, that studio should be a school of design where young restless spirits learn their best, third, that the studio should be place where countless effort noted, re-exercised, praised with no fear. The third process is about the beginning, the transition, and the conclusion of the process re – search, the things that is un-solitary. The process consists of patron, fellow friends, fellow colleagues, assistants, technical , engineers, builders, and future people.

So Jovita, keep fighting. We are all fighting, keep connected. I am supporting you, spread your wings !

Today is friday night,  I was thinking about the next lecture on omah series, in collaboration with UPH Architecture and Konteks. This is about the first phase of mastery by greene, it’s deep observation.

Le Corbusier wrote book titled Journey to the East as travel diary that the twenty-four-year-old Charles-Édouard Jeanneret (Le Corbusier) kept during his formative journey through Southern, Central, and Eastern Europe in 1911. It’s about his experience in contact with vernacular architecture, the mosque complexes, the Acropolis, and the Parthenon.

Le Corbusier’s story is very much a story of awakening and a voyage of discoveries, recording a seven-month journey that took him from Berlin through Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest, Istanbul, Athos, Athens, Naples, and Rome, among other places. Le Corbusier considered this journey the most significant of his life. Hearing the lecturer in this short course, is like having a pilgrimage trip from best teachers and professors in this course. I never been to Corbusier’s work, but reading this, I would love to observer some of his works.

This deep observation phase was well known phase for architects, like Antonie Predock, Frank Gehry, carlo scarpa, or even Tadao Ando. To be a master, period of deep observation is the critical point. As Bernard Schumi said in Virilio’s book Landscape as events, there will be person who will be need to share his understanding, wisdom, bringing map so every matters will be shiny in crystal clear for especially to understand the wisdom of the east, very heart of Indonesian specialities. This is the position of the lecturer who will present journey to the east short course.

The process of deep observation is divided to 5 topics , Education, Traditional – Contemporary Architecture, Sustainable design in tropical climate, and materiality in indonesian context – awakening the modern craftmanship. The course is set by  5 considerations on how we learn the forming of education of an architect, understanding our traditional wisdom, reflecting on our current contemporary issues, innovating through sustainable architecture, and the last mastering the architecture and the technology and science of material in form making. 

There are 5 – friends, thinkers, and professors that will be the presenter, person who will deliver the thoughts about journey to the east. David Hutama, Setia Sopandi, Avianti Armand, Tiyok Prasetyoadi and Adi Purnomo. David is one of the best to explain the condition of education of architects in indonesia, he is the one who proposed Pak Cung, one architect, historian, lecturer, currator of several exhibition and Bu Vivi, writer, architect, lecturer. Pak Tiyok, co founder GBCI, architect, and community leader and Pak Mamo, writer, architect, and lecturer to join the board. They are very busy people, I am glad they will to help this short course for the restless spirit.

I remember quote from Erich Fromm which fills me full of curiosity in this deep observation phase

“Let your mind start a journey thru a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before. Let your soul take you where you long to be…Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar, and you’ll live as you’ve never lived before.”

[1] https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/journey-east
[2] Greene, Robert. Mastery

Wiwid’s father just passed away. I deeply sad for her loss. I called her, and heard her story, I know it’s not easy for her having loss in such period, a month, for losing his father. She even said that her father suddenly lost his memory. I hope she is going to be okay, our little Cherry is together in heaven with her father.

Emmy is  going to have her marriage on 7th next month. She is going to have marriage with her boyfriend, Ganesha. Looking at their time, I have not known their relationship, but I’m happy again to reconnect with her, and getting know her update, what she is doing, and they are doing great !

Our baby will be delivered at the beginning of next month. We are so happy to wait for the little one. My group friends from uni had competitions for our baby name, some of the options were very nice, and very fun. There were normal names like Aldrich, Goodrich, Richie, Salimrich, Richheart biscuit name : rich cheese,  even crazier  No Rich no Party.  How can I not smile to see all of the options.

This is alpha for us, there were omega for other people. there was omega for us and even there were alpha for others.

There is alpha, the beginning, and there will be omega, the ending. Laurensia asked today , what do you like, real flower of just fake flower who will last longer, always blooming ?

I like real flower, orchid. In this life, I don’t believe on eternal object. I believe on moment, the most beautiful part of orchid is when it’s blooming. Moment with whom we spent time together. I believe this life has a beginning and an end. I cherish all of the moment with sad and happiness, get close to each other. Everybody is fighting hard in this universe, everybody deserve to be happy.  It’s just the way it is if my time is up, I hope I could share it much to the people.

 

These few days, I had been stayed late, slept for such little hours. I was determined to push the design to find its perfection, one to another projects. Big to small, those are still same. My eyes were hurt, I felt bitter, if there was mirror I would looked pale. I was very tired.

Instead of having an idea about writing the building, I remember one movie titled how much is your building weigh Mr. Foster. The movie is about showcase of norman foster’s building. I put this movie in appreciation, even though there was critics in New York Times from A. O. Scott about this movie that it should explained more analysis and argument, is more than a little disappointing. I just want to appreciate, efforts of Norman and his friends, creating such humble, amazing, honest pieces by pieces architecture, which demonstrate mastery in Architecture. The effort to create piece of architecture is huge, from the beginning, until completion. I want to appreciate his time.

The movie showed 3 ideas of how I really appreciate Norman Foster and His firm, first that his firm, started by dot, beginning of his smaller, more simple work and drove the opportunity of getting more complex projects which needed bigger team. Second, this movie is just to appreciate for Norman’s and Associate’s time, which considerably high, consuming their life. Third, we can see his time, dedicated to his family and respect his health, Norman, at that time he was 76 years old, participating in a cross-country race through some very beautiful snow and also spending time at home with his young son. Like me, like other architects, what we are willing to get is just appreciation for all of our time, beginning with dot, spending time with all of the team who will collaborate, and spending time with our family.

I can conclude all of this experience in also three points, Yesterday, I was at drop off in Sampoerna Strategic Square, I  finished 2 presentations for RAW projects at east Indonesia, well it is still confidential, I will share it when the time is ready, including all of the people involve inside it, with one of long lasting relationship friend. All of these started by dot,relationship like the first point.

For the second point, It will be the Heart of the East with all of the team onboard. We really pushed the design into more than 110 slides, each slide shows deep thinking about the project, accentuation about its soul on 4 design exercises : form finding, detail design, value engineering, and appreciating, getting feedback from all of the owner side : Leader, shares, the team of clients. All of the people need to be appreciated. Me and the team have been spending 2 weeks working non stop on this projects, consuming in total (10 hours x 2 weeks x 5 days x 2 designers (200 hours) + 10 hours x 3 days x 2 associates (60 hours) + 10 hours x 3 days x 4 designers (120 hours)) * 20 percent of plus for other supports from projects which usually we spend more than this. That was 456 hours, I haven’t calculated my time in this project, so I think it will be like 40 hours, so lets sum it all from principal to designer level to 500 hours . We also need to sum up, the time that was consumed in formulating brief, consulting with clients, and the time was spend in client’s side, usually it will take 30 percent from the total project, but I will just leave it empty. If Gladwell stated, 10000 hours is one of the factor to be succeed. I could just smile in second to appreciate all of these process.

I just smile looking on our effort, I think that the movie title should sounded better, at least I would say, how much your time weigh Mr.Foster.

In architecture, for all of the learning, we have to dedicate our time to learn so much knowledge in all of the level consists of art, history, culture and science from theory, and the practical, about building mastery. I remember one poem gave by my friend, Liza Susanto, she came with her husband Adi Indra during opening at OMAH titled The Strange Library.

Strange Library

Knowledge, could it just be a spice to make our brains tastier?
We’re curious. We learn.
We become hungry for knowledge as if we’ve been starving for centuries.
Thus, we cram, we swallow and try to devour everything we could into our heads.

However, time chases us like a hunter after prey.
After all, knowledge doesn’t come to us effortlessly.
We risk the danger of being demolished with time and carefully learn all that there is to learn and remember.

At last, are we able to feast, risk it all and retreat without being fed on by time instead?

I added at the end,

Risk the weigh of time that is what we commonly do.
We risk the weigh of time for that appreciation
Risking the weigh of time for our passion.
Our passion, the weigh of time burning from our heart
Our love, the weigh of time serve people.

Soon I realise at the end, before, Pak Misnu, picking me at the drop off. I realise it’s about time to go back to my family, it’s the third point from what Foster did. I can smile now, and not feeling tired.

Have a great weekend guys. let’s run ! away ! :)

[1]http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/movies/how-much-does-your-building-weigh-on-norman-foster.html?_r=0
[2]http://allpoetry.com/poem/11825194-The-Strange-Library-by-Ann-C.
[3]http://gladwell.com/outliers/ [look as his book, outliers]

What does partnership means ? From Merriam Webster dictionary stated that partnership is the state of being partners or a relationship between partners or a business that is owned by partners. Even further this definition is elaborated in IRS website. It stated the relationship existing between two or more persons who join to carry on a trade or business. Each person contributes money, property, labor or skill, and expects to share in the profits and losses of the business. [2] or from Wikipedia A partnership is an arrangement where parties, known as partners, agree to cooperate to advance their mutual interests. The partners in a partnership may be individuals, businesses, interest-based organizations, schools, governments or combinations organizations may partner together to increase the likelihood of each achieving their mission and to amplify their reach. [3]

What is business means ? from Merriam Webster, the definition is the activity of making, buying, or selling goods or providing services in exchange for money or work that is part of a job or the amount of activity that is done by a store, company, factory, etc.

During this end year crisis, what I say is, it’s not a crisis of money, but crisis of positive mentality. I think that right now, the regulation is getting more organised, There are certainty, orders. It’s one of the good factor in creating great nation. Many people complained about the crisis, Indonesia is such a depressing society. Glenn Hajadi, tutor friend from high street studio once said to me that the situation is now more challenging. 3 things is my mind, hearing him that we have to work harder than before, we have to be more critical with whatever resource that we have, and last one, we have to be free from fear. But other than that, life is just so beautiful to be experience, not by fear, but by joy.

Go travel, as far as you can, go thinking , and wander as unique as you can, experience your life by yourself, there unique path for you. I met Pak Bambang Purwanto, one fotographer, and collaborator in Home Diary Magazine. He told me story about his family and his son, and his experience in taking photographs, and suddenly I remember about Strange Details  by Michael Caldwell and we discuss about the character of the architects whom he remembered during his photograph session. I was fortunate to hear his story and support about OMAH. It’s like hearing from patron or clients and colleagues who have been supporting what I have been doing. The feel is precious, because I feel being trusted. It’s everything, being like a family. It’s feel as great as having trust from the associates and the designers in the studio.

I have been friend with Scott, for few years, since I was in DP Architects, we were in the same page, of push pull bar. I feel that it was such in serendipity that he was in WATG (Wimberly Whisenand Allison Tong & Goo) for hospitality projects, and I found RAW few years back. I trusted him as the partner of RAW International since few months back because of 3 reasons. First, that my capacity on running project has limitation, so I have to be very honest about my time. Architecture is a long time process, and prove it is more challenging when we have to get the direction, budget, coordination, it’s all about team work. Second, Scott has strong capability on understanding about building, knowing how it will work in terms of integration between space, form, facade, structure, mechanical, electrical and plumbing. RAW international hopefully running well [finger crossed], with some of overseas projects, we are getting there, the project is being exercised over and over. Third, we have been friends for years, still keep in touch, the relationship is personal, I treated him as like my family, let’s growing bit by bit this time.

The partnership should amplify what I have been doing in the firm. I need time with my family as well. He said it to Yudith, he would like to help me so we can have more time with our family.How can I not agree with him. trust is partnership. Deep down,  is the feel like you have family. So What do you think ?

[1]http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/partnership
[2]https://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Partnerships
[3]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partnership

I remember Denise Tjokrosaputro asked about originality in Indonesian Architecture, she shared her concern about copy and paste culture in our architecture, or what we can assume, lack of originality, her question drove further about the education of architecture, how we did teach the students to have their originality. It was fresh question about 2 things, the process of established architect practice and  process of the becoming  an architect.

In my subtle moment, when I rethinking all of the complexity in what is happening. I just believe the 2 things, first, it is the paradigm that we are having is the culture of fear. second, we need to honestly know about the development of mastering art of architecture.

I will try to describe the second one, because it’s easier. It’s straight forward, Greene agreed with me stated there are three stage to process mastery, first , deep observation – the passive mode, second the skills acquisition – the practice mode, third, the experimentation – the active mode. These three stages are full cycle of iteration for mastering architecture. The first and the second phase are a phase of wanderer, having apprenticeship, culminations of learning curve by previous mentors. and The third phase is the phase of actualisation. This is common when we can read in outliers that we have to acquire 10000 hours of practice, trial and error for mastering skills. Da Vinci once wrote, “one can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of oneself” , how can I not agree with him.

The first one, is not so easy to explained, explaining about paradigm is not easy because it consists of economy, politics, philosophy, culture. It combines the past, looking at the breakdown, and try to understand this complex situation. But in short way, Our situation could be described by tagore’s poem, it happens in India almost 100 years ago, the poem of Tagore titled where the mind is without fear. here it is:

“Where the mind is without fear
and the head is held high,
where knowledge is free.
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls.
Where words come out from the depth of truth,
where tireless striving stretches its arms toward perfection.
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost it’s way
into the dreary desert sand of dead habit.
Where the mind is led forward by thee
into ever widening thought and action.
In to that heaven of freedom, my father,
Let my country awake.”

There were so many times, students were asking approvals of their design, they were asking for motivations, they were asking for respects, and later they could accept our guidance because they felt appreciated, nurtured, honoured. Students, they like young flowers, which is ready to bloom, which is beautiful, which show promising about the future. I always said to students that I teach for. They shouldn’t worry about mark, The should keep their inner voice high. Gandhi has proved it this poem could awake his disciples. But in here fundamentality i want to ask, are we in the culture of fear ? I would like to invert Tagore’s poem,

“Where the mind is with fear
are our mind is in fear ?
and the head is helf low ?
where knowledge is not free ?
where the world has been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls. ?
where words is not come out from the depth of truth, ?
where tireless striving stretches its arms toward neglection ?
where the clear stream of reason has lost it’s way ?
into the dreary desert sand of dead habit.
where the mind is not led forward by thee
into ever widening thought and action.
In to that hell of freedom, my father,
Let my country …. ?“

The question is in our mind, and the answer is in our mind. It will refresh the society, I will ask for just little imperfection, for just appreciating all of the young spirits, the perfection in imperfection. Are we in the culture of fear ? Am I in the culture of fear. I do hope the mind is without fear every day, every action, every words because I am one of the students as well.

Culture, which we have seen in our daily life sometimes is just taken with no granted. everybody should accept it, more people said that we have to remember our culture to avoid faceless community, one community without any culture. That is arguably true but sometimes we forget behind culture, there should be love that becomes signifier of what we’re doing. We’ve got so many problems in our life. Problems of relationship, your career, your dream.

I believe in one truth, which is …. give the unconditional love to everybody. The world is going to be more wonderful place and beautiful place for all of us.

these are really beautiful clips. See those and what do you think ?

Few relations coming and taught new ways of facing society. We are holding what trust between us in a matter of great work. Trust that we will do always the best work that we ever had, trust that we will respect everybody in the team, every effort. In the way of architecture firm grew even bigger there are 2 terms which are important, one is IDEAS, another is Trust. There are various way of looking through at how we as human develops trust.

First, in terms of generating in IDEAS in the architecture firm, not the personal myself, what my concern is the development of the restless spirit, my little brothers and sisters. Steve Jobs in the companies he ran, he ought to have the design its headquarters to promote interaction across of the company; the space is connected to the central atrium which also contained cafe and mailboxes. in IDEO for example the limit the role of the hierarchy in brainstorming session, in the brainstorming there are no titles, only ideas, It developed team’s ability to be collectively intelligent. Intelligent groups. It based on the diversity of opinions. When it comes to architecture, some of the general ideas could be executed quite easily which in the design development stage, the thought needs to be crystal clear into more thoughtful exercised in terms of build-ability. When it comes into build-ability, IDEO knows then to have more versus less hierarchy and as the result, it wins again and again and again. It’s about workshop between teams of designers, clients, to the inner side of ourself.

Second, Adam Galinsky and Maurice Schweitzer described that trust is essential for almost every social relationship : a happy marriage, a supportive friendship, and a successful organisation. If we cannot trust our spouses, our friends  and our business partners, our relationships break down. in fact, almost every transaction we engage in requires some level of trust. When trust in high, these relationships are collaborative and frictionless. Trust , in so many ways , is a key social lubricant.  When trust is low, on the other hand, there is friction in every interaction. we are consumed with minimising the risk of being exploited. And as a result, we become competitive, even combative. It’s tough to be a good friend or an effective foe when we’re constantly suspicious and fear exploitation.

This isn’t just true for individuals; countries and societies also cannot achieve the level of cooperation they need to success in the global economy without trust. Indeed economist have linked the economic prosperity of countries to the levels of trust within societies with high levels of trust, economies thrive. But where trust is low, growth is stunted.[1]

Conventional wisdom tells us two things about trust. First, that trust is slow to develop. Second, that once broken, trust, like a vase is almost impossible to repair. They had conclusion in a simple way to restore trust is about getting a way to say I’m sorry in a honest way.

That is the basic way to develop IDEAS and TRUST in institution of man. What do you think ?

“Walter Benjamin once wrote, “A Klee painting named ‘Angelus Novus’ shows an angel looking as though he is about to move away from something he is fixedly contemplating. His eyes are staring, his mouth is open, his wings are spread. This is how one pictures the angel of history. His face is turned towards the past. Where we perceive a chain of events, he sees a single catastrophe which keeps piling wreckage upon wreckage and hurls it at his feet.” [1]

Today this theological vision no longer belongs to the angel of history. It has become the vision of each and every one of us” Tschumi argued in his foreword of Paul Virilio’s book titled Landscape of Events. The idea of this book shows a chain of events which resembles our culture, the fear of the future has been outstripped by fear of the past. He even accentuated, the recession of the history entails the retreat of knowledge, the retirement of progress. everything vanishes, Ethical and political ideals, the durability of societies. The book consists of ideas which are accidents, sadness, harsh truth, showing facts that shape our history.

There is a way of survive from Bernard Tschumi’s clairvoyant of Virilio’s A Landscape of Events, by looking at our spiritual self, cultivating whats good in our body and mind mastery, to spread our skill of shaping greater built environment. I believe architecture is powerful enough to change the events to the future its natural state of humanity which every people deserve to living peacefully.

About the past 

Talking further about Virilio’s Landscape of Events. Bernard Schumi argued that the time is running fast, and the culture which learn from failure, having the antidote. What happens now is when the breakdown is even faster than before, we don’t have time to learn from our failure, and the guardian of time, Angelus Novus, losing his position, as historian losing their position. In this time we just have to depend on ourself to critise every situation best on every moments, it’s about welcoming the era of moment of accidents. In one history what I can say about comes about one thoughts.
 
“apa gunanya sejarah
apabila …
kita tidak bisa memanfaatkannya, …

apabila …
tidak ada pelajaran yang bisa dipetik darinya, …

mungkin kita tidak ada
tetapi bisa dipakai
untuk generasi yang akan datang
yang lebih pintar

untuk bisa memanfaatkan
apa yang kita tidak bisa tangkap

dari sejarah itu sendiri …
dari prasasti itu sendiri …
dari …

tumpukan bata yang hidup …

dari daun yang lembut …

dan bata yang keras …
 

Bibliography
[1] Virilio, Paul, and Julie Rose. A Landscape Of Events. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2000. Print.pp xii

The series of landscape combining 3 wooden wrapped massing faces north to south in-sequence with micro landscape. #rawarchitecture  ‘each nation, in short, has its own way of building, according to the materials afforded and the habits of the country.’ Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, Book II, Chapter 1,

Robert Holden and Jamie Liversedge discussed the importance of using local materials as a way to achieve sustainable design.
They discussed that each city traditionally tended to have its own set of paving materials. In London, granite setts and kerbs were the standard nineteenth- century street paving made by Yorkstone (a sand stone). Amsterdam is still a city of narrow brick paviors…. This bioclimatic house constituted parts of understanding the basic of architecture beginning with some issues to create piece of architecture in first part is as issue on fundamental, water management, reduce reuse and recycle. It’s all about Sustainability, and issues on attitude on materials. Second part is the general principle which highlights the properties of raw materials, and clearvuoyant structure and reasonable mechanics. Third part is building material which introduces the materials used in building, stone concrete , brick, metals, timber, glass, plastics and some non convention materials old and new.Fourth part is the elements looks at built element ranging from earth works and top soil, retaining structures, walls, paving and water bodies which covers 60 percent of the site. Fifth part is, assembly which decribes the assembly of built component : corridor , spacious living room, reasonable room size, service core, and view to the landscape.

I went to Istakagrha, and suddenly I remember about one book title In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki.
https://instagram.com/p/788xtlArWR/?taken-by=rawarchitecture_best

I was thinking of structure integrity in forming stability by double curvature. It’s inspired by Richard Serra works’ the matter of time which has been exhibited by Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
https://instagram.com/p/771FXvgrfb/?taken-by=rawarchitecture_best

I went to the guild, just in silence and wander about much more beautiful things.
https://instagram.com/p/6YmUtKgreu/?taken-by=rawarchitecture_best

I went to the the front door of our garage office looking to the mailbox. No status quo is needed.
https://instagram.com/p/6ZJ9ZWArYR/?taken-by=rawarchitecture_best

Have you read this wonderful book ? It was written by Robin Sharma, It’s about journey of one man, Peter to  conquer the world in  his experience guided by Julian, a monk who sold his Ferrari.

It’s a book combined by what Machiavelli’s book titled The Prince which was given as birthday present from Yusni Aziz. Machiavelli wrote “It must be understood, then, that there are two ways of fighting: one with laws, the other with force; the first way befits mankind, the second befits beast; but since very often does not suffice, one needs to have recourse to the second. and so prince needs to know when to act as a beast and when a man…. it is necessary for a prince to make use of both natures: one without the other cannot survive.[machiavelli:51]

First, he filled his books with advice, idea which is practical on how to get power, retain power. That draws all of the readers, to think our one self interest that ignoring this book and its ideas won’t be beneficial. Next, he explained historical anecdotes, throughout his writing to explain his ideas. He used the characters in his story to spread his ideas. Finally Machiavelli’s used stark, banal language to give his style of writing. Instead of finding their minds slowing and stopping, the readers are enlightened to go beyond their thought and take actions. He left his writing open ended, never telling people exactly what to do in which they must use their own ideas and experiences with power to fill in his writing.

another book is by Laura Romanof which was bought from trip to Solo with RAW people, the book title is Sumarah spiritual wisdom from Java, it’s about art of surrender, losing your self to universe.

Laura mentioned ” The third stage (of spiritual practice) os that of sumarah, of unconditional surrender, of total abandon… here the actual act of faith disappears and is gradually substituted by its fruits : one abandons oneself to the process in complete and absolute acceptance of what is given, no longer asking for anything, no lone utilising the power of the will, no longer invoking faith. This is an absolutely neutral condition where there is no longer any need for effort.” [Romanof:34]

She also had concern that youth of Indonesia, and in particular Java are turning to modernity and feel little attraction to the old ways. She hoped together with Pak Ary and Pak Wondo to preserve the tradition to future generations. As what she believes is as same like what I believe, when the tide turns in Java, as it always eventually does, interest may be reawakened about the old ways. Eventually One friend Vani, one writer who works for Asri, wrote beautiful thoughts for the house that was designed few years ago, Rumah Jawa. She wrote and noted that the story of the house, which I belive that Rumah Jawa design process and its product is also a process of Sumarah to learn the way Subiyanto family relationship with others, a spiritual journey to know the family.

My last and biggest, insight builds on the previous. This year has been hard, as I have said, but I have experienced periods of sheer elation, times when I could hardly believe what I was doing and how much happiness it gave me. Our son will be born on mid of November. We are very excited to spend time with him, watch him grow. There was one moment when our future clients came to our office. He talked about new projects, and suddenly asked about our family, and he prayed for our family. I felt so blessed. Many people prayed for our son, that he will be someone who can bring joy, miracle to everybody near him. Hopefully the day will be as I remember as bright as the white shirt that was might be symbolized as hope from all of beloved team.

bibliography :
1. Machiavelli, Niccolò, and W. K Marriott. The Prince. [Waiheke Island]: Floating Press, 2008. Print. pp 51
2. Romanof, Laura, Alan H Feinstein, and Catherine Bearfield. Sumarah. Print.pp 34

Saturday, 08082015, ““A house can have integrity, just like a person,’ said Roark, ‘and just as seldom.”
― Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead

Architecture is just so magical, by playing simple form, the result could be unexpected, here we have experimentation with box, simple box, a module, which is played in the linear site facing Bandung.
The scheme consists of multiple small scattered boxes facing valley of Bandung, view of city light and view of surrounding pine trees. The modular boxes has several layer of stories such as construction and craftmanship issue which we try to limit the project to three to four meter module divided to 3 categories (main, transition, services) and several sub categories (living, bed, stairs) which the creates their own partiis. the second intention is to enhance such comfortable climate of Bandung , which has cool breeze, comfortable weather ranged from 20 – 22 degree to 27 degree – 28 degree celciuse which encouraged to open the openings, and skylight innovating with cross air circulation and airstacking effect. The third one is the act of considering limitation on expenditures such as the carbon foot print and thermal conductivity in the site which brings the use of selection of material which has the low thermal conductivity.

I met this one couple few weeks ago, they are young, full of promises. They have a dream to live in one beautiful house. I think they are mixture of wanderer , dreamer but has concern of realistic consideration. This journey of this beautiful, scattered natural boxes made by brick and liquid stones are just begun, hopefully it will be happy ending like what we dream for.
“we have spectacular view mas” Rusda said to me before. During our last site survey a month ago , “Look at the view, ” nurul said to me. They were right, the view was spectacular. It has two main points of view, to the valley and another will be to the hill when we can see pine trees. This time we will go for small little boxes which has spectacular view, ressesed, extruded dancing at the mountain with its soul.

Thank you for my dream team RAW for assisting in this project various people to test the premise over and over (Miftah, Tatyana, Rofi, Ali, Agung).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zwh9dPyidA

dokter : “Bu bu, tangannya mengepal bu, saya dipelototin, ini megnhadap ke saya ”
laurensia : “iya dok kayanya dia marah, laper dia dok, nunggunya lama dok”
dokter : “maaf ya de, nunggunya lama ya de”
dokter : “ini jarinya empat ya bu, ibu jarinya ngga kelihatan karena lagi mengepal, jarinya jangan nambah lagi ya bu”

love Laurensia and little rich
her smile her hug
her perseverance
her kindness color everyday of life
For the injections, fear of needles
For the hours meeting doctors
For the hours of tears
For the love to our baby and to me
Spread warmth to my heart.
Laurensia  stay strong,

You made me just falling in love again in our fourth year marriage. :)

RAW progress – Morning Visit #rawarsitektur #rawarchitecture hopefully will finish this in 1 month time :)

https://instagram.com/p/5BcP2JArcL/?taken-by=rawarchitecture_best
Disini RAW pameran dengan 3 studio yang lain, ada Studio Dasar, Highstreet Studio, dan Tim tiga. Saya kemudian berpikir, apa arti berpameran. Pameran karya tepatnya bukan, pameran asal gagah – gagahan, atau asal keren, atau asal beken, atau asal terkenal. Oleh karena itu, foto ini diletakkan di pameran, untuk mengajak melihat hasil kerja, bukan hanya gagah – gagahan, satu tim menghadap ke karya untuk mengajak menyelami karya kita.
https://instagram.com/p/46TUdogrW6/?taken-by=rawarchitecture_best

https://instagram.com/p/4-tM0egrVg/?taken-by=rawarchitecture_best
https://instagram.com/p/4-pXrsArd6/?taken-by=rawarchitecture_best

https://instagram.com/p/3rbGj8ArRj/?taken-by=rawarchitecture_best

 

Many people have been working hard in the studio, this year we are going to rock the world. 4 Years ago, Roseto was introduced as one concept for creating this creative studio. Roseto is a place where it has own rules, detaching itself from the ourside world which is banal, wild, unpredicted. I’m gratefully happy, How can I not smile to the people who have been helping me in the studio, thank you all.I

 

The summer workshop 2015 is just now started. Hope all of students enjoy the program. here they are with another ordinary picture with colourful world, I just can’t stop smiling looking at their motivation letter, look at it here www.raw.co.id/summerarchitectureworkshop

 

Elisa Sutanudjaja Tepat 1 bln lalu menulis soal kegemaran kota2 sok2an pny cultural district super wah … Kok mau kejadian ya hahaha smile emoticon
http://www.rappler.com/…/96046-potensi-kawasan-seni…

Membangun potensi kawasan seni dan budaya di Jakarta
Apa ‘resep’ terpenting untuk membangun Jakarta…
RAPPLER.COM
June 27 at 5:07pm · Like

Risca Surono Lebih ‘for show’ sepertinya..
June 27 at 6:27pm · Like

Vitex Grandis Walkot bdg pan arsitek kelas dunia , produk lokal kemampuan global #ea
June 27 at 6:39pm · Like

Cicies Palguno Zaha eta?
June 27 at 9:14pm · Like

Agus Ekomadyo Buat fans nya MU thn 2000an lbh kenal Louis Zaha….tag penggemar MU Ismail Al Anshori, ahhhh…😀
June 27 at 9:52pm · Like

Ismail Al Anshori MU itu klub divisi apa ya? Ga kenal tuh.
June 27 at 9:56pm · Like · 1

Agus Ekomadyo Wah, sorry Il, jamannya Louis Zaha berduet dgn Ruud van Nasgitelroy, kykny kamu belum lahir, ya…hi3x
June 27 at 9:58pm · Like

Dory Ardiantoko Purnawarman Duit siapa konstruksinya nanti?haha…
June 27 at 11:16pm · Like

Ismail Al Anshori Bisa minta ke Agung Podomoro. *ups!
June 27 at 11:17pm · Like · 1

Riko Arsiananta Bilbao effect..
June 28 at 3:39am · Like · 1

Muhammad Herryanto adakah arsitek indonesia yg pengalaman merancang gedung pertunjukan ?
June 28 at 5:54am · Like

Ismail Al Anshori Ada. Termasuk kita juga punya ahli2 akustik utk gedung pertunjukan.
June 28 at 9:53am · Like · 4

Lanjutkan membaca “Apakah perlu arsitek asing ? kita belum mampu ya ? – Discussion”

Anis asked me, “Why do you want to always build something new, maybe people has started their own idea which is similar, and you could collaborate ?” maybe she was surprised when she heard again another of idea to brainstorm, again ? time to time ? , and I came up with such don’t know where, what , why the idea occurred just after I read two books, one is Pasang Surut Arsitektur Indonesia by Josef Prijotomo, and Perjalanan Malam Hari by Yuswadi Saliya. I concluded in those two book the two main points which are important, 1) architecture as profession has to strive as the construction system has been transforming rapidly, but the discourse of architecture as profession is still questionable, are we improving enough ? 2) We need to be careful to state Arsitektur Indonesia when we are designing, do we design based by strong roots or …. ? roots can be said as context, adaptation of building system, in terms of 4 levels of design quality, Function and art, economic and ethics, time and space, or even more, place and events. In fresh Saturday morning, The idea which was come up is about having a huge collection of material library for architect to find the best material, finishes that is suitable in the studio.In Foster and Partners London, when I worked before, the access to the material library is remarkable, we could find new advancement material such as new type of alumunium finishes, brick, plastic, categories which synthetic or original. It’s based on each durability, strength and ease of material. The question is, the access of the material library is limited to the people inside the studio, the question is, if we make is similar, how can we improve the knowledge by sharing it to the others. Why am I not collaborating with others ? I don’t know but, it’s interesting that the access in Jakarta is quite limited, and I have not yet found people that I can talk to other than Anis and people in the studio, I just haven’t found any friend to talk to, I about to take what was suggested by Anis to expand the idea to the others, and here we are. Thank you Anis, I got reminded again time to time. Remember Glenn Murcutt , there is no such something new in the architecture, the word “new” might be process of discovery the act of trying to do good for the others. “All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today.” Pope Paul VI