"The Hidden Orchid" by ITB Architecture Students Wins 3rd Place in International Competition
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – Three students from the Architecture Study Program at the School of Architecture, Planning, and Policy Development (SAPPK) of Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) have achieved remarkable success in an international competition. Darren Darmawan, Kayla Nathania Riawan, and Sanghyang Wenang Mangkualam secured third place in “The 17th Architecture Festival: Blooming Heavens,” organized by the Architecture Student Association of Petra Christian University.
The competition theme for 2024 was “Blooming Heavens.” Participants were required to create designs that could revitalize educational environments for future implementation in Indonesia.
Sentani Lake was chosen as the design site, considering its existing potential. The team aimed to create a design that mirrored the dynamic activities of the local community, ensuring equal access for all lakeside residents. Given that water transportation is common in the area, they designed a floating structure named “The Hidden Orchid.”
“The building’s form is inspired by the black orchid, a native flora of Papua, symbolizing the development of a flower. The design features three structures representing different stages of the flower's bloom: a bud, a half-bloom, and a fully bloomed flower. This offers visitors an experience of transitioning from initial exposure to advanced knowledge and technology. When they first enter the building, it symbolizes a community not yet exposed to advanced knowledge. Upon leaving, it signifies a community enriched with knowledge, indicating intellectual growth,” explained Sanghyang.
Combining the ideas of three individuals posed its own challenges during the design process. Sanghyang described their method of communicating ideas by being open to arguments and rationalizing them for mutual benefit. They also faced technical challenges during the design process, requiring multiple revisions. However, this did not hinder them significantly as they employed unconventional methods suitable for highly adaptable designs like The Hidden Orchid.
Despite initial despair over balancing academics and the competition, Darren, Kayla, and Sanghyang successfully completed The Hidden Orchid, marking a proud achievement.
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