Most of the buildings featured in the exhibition Dipl.-Ing. Arsitek: An Indonesian-German Architectural History are made of concrete, reflecting both the technical possibilities and the spirit of their time. While many of these structures incorporate climate-adapted design, this approach diminished with the rise of air-conditioning. However, concrete as a building material, along with construction methods not designed for circularity, pose a challenge to sustainability – an issue that remains largely unchanged, not just in Indonesia. Both old and new buildings that prioritize climate considerations, restricted material availability, and CO2 reduction are still the exception today.

Renewable building materials, such as wood, are scarce in Indonesia and many other countries, complicating efforts to meet construction demands. Traditionally produced bricks are hardly less harmful to the environment, and widespread reservations about natural building materials further contribute to the challenge.

Nonetheless, there is a clear need for new approaches to resource management and climate adaptation globally – prompting reflection on the opportunities for sustainable construction in different regions around the world. This discussion presented perspectives and projects from Germany, India, and Indonesia for consideration.

Our speakers where:

Anupama Kundoo, Department of Architecture and Design Methods, Institut für Architektur, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany

Sina Jansen, Natural Building Lab, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany

Setiadi Sopandi, Museum Arsitektur Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia

Avianti Armand, Museum Arsitektur Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia

Gregorius Jasson, Kota Kita Foundation, Surakarta, Indonesia

The talk was moderated by Friederike Meyer, BauNetz, architectural journalist, Berlin