Dipl.-Ing. Arsitek: An Indonesian-German Architectural History focused on the life and work of eight architects of Indonesian origin, who graduated in West Germany between 1960 and 1966.

The Architekturmuseum of the Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) houses a photographic documentation of the final diploma projects of nine Indonesian students who graduated in 1960 and 1961 with degrees in architecture (Indonesian: Dipl.-Ing. Arsitek). These theses serve as the starting point and inspiration for showcasing the biographies, academic journeys, and work of eight Indonesian architects whose careers were shaped in the 1950s and 1960s in Germany.

Most of these architects returned to Indonesia after completing their studies. At that time, shortly after gaining independence from the Netherlands, the country was seeking an architectural language that would decisively break with its colonial past and reflect a modern civil society through contemporary structures. During this dynamic period, many of these young architects quickly emerged as leading figures in modern Indonesian architecture and influential voices in the field. They made significant contributions to the country’s architectural and aesthetic development and were also engaged in architectural education. Striving to blend the design principles of modernity with vernacular forms of expression, they aimed to foster harmony, social justice, and a distinctly Indonesian identity through well-considered environments.

This group of architects was represented in the exhibition by Han Awal, Soejoedi Wirjoatmodjo, and Mustafa Pamuntjak, who studied in Berlin, as well as Bianpoen and Suwondo Bismo Sutedjo, who graduated in Hannover in 1961. They are joined by the Catholic priest Yusuf Bilyarta Mangunwijaya, who received his diploma in Aachen in 1966.

Some of the Berlin-trained graduates, however, remained in Europe. They are represented in the exhibition by Jan Beng Oei, who successfully established his own practice in southern Germany, and Herianto Sulindro, who worked in Hamburg before joining the city planning department in Zurich.

The lives and work of these architects were shaped by their shared experiences as students and their ongoing exchange of ideas throughout their careers. Those who returned to Indonesia frequently collaborated in various constellations, enriching the discourse on contemporary architecture.

This Indonesian-German architectural history has been largely unknown in Germany. Now, for the first time in Berlin, historical documents and previously unexamined materials offered an opportunity to rediscover these architects within the context of their professional development and the evolving landscape of postcolonial Indonesia. Additionally, insights into the development of the exhibition, and the challenges of preserving original resources in Indonesia provided a fuller understanding of this important history.

Dipl.-Ing. Arsitek: An Indonesian-German Architectural History aimed not only to reconnect these architects and their works with the place where they completed their training, but also to highlight that their significant contributions to international architectural development remain underacknowledged in global, and particularly Western, discourse. This raised important questions: How can previously overlooked and marginalized architects be incorporated into global discussions? How might this reshape the role of architecture in society, both in Germany and Indonesia? What new discourses could emerge in both regions? And how does public debate influence the appreciation and treatment of their built work in its original context?

Initiators and artistic directors:
Sally Below, Moritz Henning, Eduard Kögel

Exhibition curators:
Avianti Armand, Sally Below, Moritz Henning, Eduard Kögel, Setiadi Sopandi

Supporting programme:
Sally Below, Moritz Henning, Eduard Kögel

Research team Indonesia:
Adelia Andani Djarot, Adetania Pramanik, Angeline Basuki, Anita Halim Lim, Avianti Armand, Bangkit Mandela, Febriyanti Suryaningsih, Fernisia Winnerdy, Gregorius Jasson, Hedista Rani Pranata, Setiap Gedung Punya Cerita, Jesslyn Amanda, Nadia Purwestri, Nadira Adiswari, Rifandi Nugroho, Setiadi Sopandi, Siti Arfah Annisa, Trisha Karina Lahu, Warda Lutfiah Roihana, Yasmin Tri Aryani

Video programme:
Lisabona Rahman, Harry Hariawan

Photography:
William Sutanto, Moritz Bernoully, Moritz Henning

Photographic reproduction and imaging services:
Arti Fenestra Group, Jakarta

Visual identity, exhibition design, exhibition construction:
ConstructLab – Peter Zuiderwijk/The Hague, Alex Römer/Berlin, Jan Sticker/Basel

Production control of printed materials:
Heilmeyer und Sernau, Berlin

Exhibition production:
sbca, Berlin

Project management and communication:
sbca, Berlin