Realrich Sjarif: "Architecture should not arise just like that. She is the answer to challenges"

Realrich Sjarif is the founder of the Indonesian bureau RAWArchitecture. He also works for DOT Workshop, a company engaged in tectonic research, and OMAH Library, a research group and public library that houses about 1,500 books on architecture.

Realrich actively teaches at several universities in Indonesia and gives public lectures on modern architectural discourse. In addition, he is the author and editor of several books on architecture. On the eve of his speech at 100+, Realrich explained what, in his opinion, the main mission of architecture is and why it is important for builders to return to their roots – for example, to wooden buildings. 

– You have written several books for students about the theory and formation of architecture, about the "secret" of the architect's life. To summarize everything you say in them, what is architecture anyway? And who are these people who choose this profession?

– I believe that architecture is a bridge between a building and art, it's all about the ecosystem of life. Architecture should solve the problems of humanity. It should not arise just like that – first there should be a problem, for example, the need for good housing for people. Architecture is the answer to this challenge. And with it comes technology. That's what everything should be based on.

People who have chosen the profession of architect are people who believe that architecture can bring about changes that will improve our civilization.

– One of your latest projects is the Alfa Omega school for 1,200 people in Indonesia, built literally from improvised means. Did you initially know that this would happen, or did it happen by accident?

"Both." In general, the Alfa Omega school project was a charity project. Before that, we worked on a similar building and did it very well: firstly, keep within a small budget, and secondly, we used local materials, such as bamboo. The customer liked it so much that he gave us the Alfa Omega project. It was an exceptional case. Usually, our companies rarely invest in such social facilities, especially in the field of education, because they are not commercialized in any way. The company joined this particular project because they liked the philosophy: Alfa is the beginning, Omega is the end, and in the middle between the beginning and the end is the desire to help people. And this is actually a rare occurrence.

Coincidentally, our design method has adapted to local resources and builders. This is a case when knowledge from two worlds came together – theory and implementation methodology. It turned out to be a good version of the school, which can become an example of effective construction, when more aesthetics are added through the use of local materials. In addition, the project helps to understand the architecture of indigenous peoples, architecture from the grassroots.

– And yet: should architecture be governed by circumstances, or should circumstances be governed by architecture?

– All together, and we, the architects, are the bridge between them. The architect's job is to change circumstances. Where is this possible? For example, we had a project that needed to be implemented in an area prone to flooding. In order to optimize the construction site, we had to build a bridge for the workers so that they could walk on it and transport building materials. As a result, we spent a lot of resources and time on this, but we improved the conditions on this site, thus positively influencing the circumstances. Generally, 60-80% of each project is always based on context, on an understanding of some local circumstances. You need to be attentive to the terrain so that the object works more efficiently in the end.

– You said in an interview that you prefer to take projects where you can experiment. And how do you feel about a typical building? In your opinion, is it necessary or should each project be unique?

– If quantity is the problem that we want to solve, in my opinion, it's not a bad option to focus on standard projects. Knowing the theory of design, you can achieve a balance. We have developed a specific methodology ourselves, according to which we determine when a project should be experimental and when it should be standard. In fact, I've come to the conclusion that within a single city, about 20-30% are usually unique projects, and the rest are typical. In Indonesia, this is a certain standard for the construction industry.

I don't think that such a large number of typical buildings is a bad thing. In fact, it's like an iceberg that has an upper side and a lower side. It is very important to understand here that we, as architects, should still be connected to society, and feel that we do not always need some kind of unique housing, but rather typical projects. Every project cannot become unique. By listening to people, we can somehow influence the industry. Listening to what humanity needs is the most important thing.

– Do you communicate with Russian architects? (Maybe keep an eye on someone) If so, what useful things could they teach you and you could teach them?

– I do not know modern Russian architects. But two years ago I studied the history of Russian architecture. I like to look at beautiful designs made of wood. I also love discussing and seeing some of the brilliant works of Russian architecture, including temples built hundreds of years ago. I especially love the churches located in the city of Torzhok, Tver region. They are made with great skill, it is manual labor. There is a sense of teamwork and understanding of society.

Of course, those old techniques can be used in modern architecture. The wooden buildings that we studied had quite interesting structures. In general, I believe that the future of architecture lies in combining materials: permanent ones like concrete and organic ones like wood and bamboo, based on what is available in the area. Because using organic materials is the only way to create more environmentally friendly buildings and achieve a more sustainable architecture.

– The theme of our forum this year is conscious construction. What do you mean by this concept and how to ensure that construction becomes conscious everywhere?

– I believe that doing something consciously means doing it in the best possible way. We are used to doing things as usual, and to start doing them consciously is to take a break, sit down, think, rethink how we can become better, become the best. We need to look back, look at our history. They made beautiful wooden buildings in Russia, and you had a well-developed craft. Now it needs to be used somehow for the future. It will be a more environmentally friendly construction. Maybe the role of an architect is precisely to be a bridge between the past and the future, to return to our traditions, but at the same time use modern technologies and understand how we can make the unconscious conscious.

I believe that we, the architects, are representatives of changes that will change the perception of society. Your forum is good because it pushes for changes in the future through meetings of the brightest minds of the world.