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Jakarta Post

Faces representing Indonesian architecture today

Over the past decade, Indonesian architects have redefined and rediscovered Indonesian architecture

Mira Vitania (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Sun, November 14, 2010

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Faces representing  Indonesian architecture today

Over the past decade, Indonesian architects have redefined and rediscovered Indonesian architecture. By consistently building and experimenting, they have created a new face for contemporary Indonesian architecture.

Their efforts have paid off. Now the world has begun to recognize the remarkable work of Indonesian architects, many of whom have won several contests.

Indonesians have also begun to acknowledge architecture by adoring tall buildings and skyscrapers that flourish in cities across the country that have been designed by local architects.

No doubt Indonesian architects have shaped this country and its society. Through the distinctive character of Indonesian architecture that they have brought to the surface, they have changed the perspective about Indonesian architecture and changed society to be the part of architecture as well.

But who would care to write about the people who were in charge of constructing dreams in the concrete jungle? It could only be Imelda Akmal.

Local architects should give a toast to Imelda for publishing another architecture book, 50 Indonesian Architects + Emergings. Once again, she has proven her passion for architecture by publishing books. Earlier, she published Indonesian Architecture Now and Indonesian Architecture Now 2.

Imelda is one of a few architects who enjoy careers as architectural writers. With her team members at the Imelda Akmal Architectural Writers Studio (Studio IAAW), she has published over 70 architectural works, though she said that there were numerous Indonesian architects who had a tremendous amount of work experience who should write about architecture.

“It doesn’t mean that they can’t write. They just haven’t wanted to, though I think they are competent to write architectural reviews or probably architectural critiques. That’s why I always encourage my colleagues to start writing. I hope this book also can be a trigger,” Imelda said at the book’s launch at The Dharmawangsa, South Jakarta.

Her new book is comprised of 50 short profiles of well-known Indonesian architectural firms and 13 new architectural firms (the “emergings”), who are considered influential on Indonesian architecture these days.

Imelda and her team separated the groups based on their years of experience. The Indonesian Architects group was dominated by architectural firms that were formed at least five years ago, while the Emergings category has profiles of new firms established less than five years ago.

Those 13 young names on the Emergings list include 12akitek, Aboday, Avianti Armand, Boy Bhirawa, DX6, HMP Architects, Labo, Made Dharmendra, Parametr architecture, Realrich sjarief, SUB Studio, Suwardana Winata, and Zenin Adrian, while the 50 Architects category included big names such as Andra Matin, Baskoro Tedjo, Grahacipta Hadiprana, PTI Architects, Sardjono Sani, Urbane and Yori Antar.

Imelda Akmal: Courtesy of JP/Mira Vitania
Imelda Akmal: Courtesy of JP/Mira Vitania

The architectural profiles selection process was done through several methods. Imelda and her team selected profiles to put on their list based on important considerations, including award recipients and participation in national and international competitions, especially IAI Awards (an architectural design competition held annually by Ikatan Arsitek Indonesia, IAI) and peer reviews by architects.

This narrowed the numbers to 100 architects and 50 architectural firms, though most of these firms were dominated by Jakarta, Bandung and Bali-based firms.

The pages of 50 Indonesian Architects + Emergings are definitely a feast for eyes. Stunning pictures of modern buildings and contemporary designs that common people mightdoubt are the products of local architects are presented on a simple white layout.     

There are details on each photo that explain building names and locations and also their achievements on architecture design contests. The architect’s profiles are brief yet informative and cover information about the establishment of each firms and provide a short biography of the architect.

Unfortunately Imelda and the team don’t provide any contact information on architecture firms on their pages, so readers don’t know where to go if they want to dig deeper.

Imelda wished to make a contribution to Indonesian architectural literature and once again produced an outstanding work to enrich knowledge of local architects. 50 Indonesian Architects + Emergings gives a clear view of Indonesian architecture now and people who are involved in its development.

Seeing how Indonesian architects’ design have developed so far, this book unfolds the fact that Indonesian architects can compete at the international level.

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