The main structure of the house is made of reinforced concrete frames. With exception of the front facade, aerated autoclave blocks were used for wall infills. The blocks, locally called hebel, is the new vernacular for poor communities in Jakarta, owing to its quick assembly that requires small amount of mortar. The size is bigger (20 x 7.5 x 7.5cm) and it weighs lower than the traditional red brick. Thus less capacity in load bearing which helps in reducing the size of structural beams.

The usage of bamboos also help in keeping the building light. The roof truss which shelters an attic is made of bamboo Gigantochloa verticillata, or what is locally called andong, available in local market. The bamboos were treated with borax and boric acid solution on site (a technique that has since been transfered to Krapu residents for their own bamboo-building process). This will protect the bamboo from pests and ensure permanent life of structure. Floors in second and third (attic) storey are made of recycled timber from the demolished houses.

PROCESS

The design process began as a series of workshop to understand, due to the limited land availability, what facilities can be shared and what must remain private. By drawing the plan in 1:1 scale on the street, the design was much easier to comprehend.

The construction process was carried out by builders sourced from the neighbourhood. Architects of ASF-ID introduced bamboo construction with bolted joins, which was new to the area and found eager reception. Between 10-15 builders partook in the two-days bamboo workshop, going through the entire process of preservation all the way through erection and assembly.

Design communication with scale model

image: Architecture Sans Frontières Indonesia | some rights reserved

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Preparing internal steel bars

image: Architecture Sans Frontières Indonesia | some rights reserved

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Cutting bamboo poles

image: Architecture Sans Frontières Indonesia | some rights reserved

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Assembling bamboo roof truss

image: Architecture Sans Frontières Indonesia | some rights reserved

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Carrying the roof truss together

image: Architecture Sans Frontières Indonesia | some rights reserved

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Indonesia is gifted with tropical wet and humid climate. Large openings practically bring interior comfort, but prone to excessive wind and stormy rain. Perforated walls have been among common solutions as evident throughout Indonesia's vernacular architecture, and this is often provided by bamboo weave or bamboo slats. Generous overhangs are essential to protect walls as well as the bamboo/wooden elements.

Distance from car traffic, Tongkol is a quiet neighborhood. Fruit trees lining along the river banks, while the back passage is shaded by mature angsana trees. However, north Jakarta is prone to flooding and care to immediate surroundings is, therefore, a necessity to reduce risks. Regarding this, the community regularly clean the river and organise neighborhood cleaning events. 

View from across the river

image: Architecture Sans Frontières Indonesia | some rights reserved

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Riverfront living; privilege entails responsibility

image: Architecture Sans Frontières Indonesia | some rights reserved

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