Motivation Letter

Rizky Primachristi Ryantira Pongdatu

Applying for MSc in Architecture, Urbanism, and Building Sciences. Track: Architecture

Introduction
UN Environment Global Status Report 2017 implied that the building sector has the
highest percentage of global CO2 emissions by 39%. Architects know how to design
aesthetically, but it is often difficult to make it environmentally friendly. Sustainable
architecture could become an answer to that issue and I was intrigued by it. I feel fortunate to
have begun working directly on sustainable building projects as a young architect in an
architectural practice in Bali, Indonesia. My most recent experience was when I worked on a
residential villa project that had a timber-based roof, column, and beam system.
This project helped me realize the potential and attractiveness of using timber in
sustainable architecture projects. Although the idea of a wooden structure, in this case, bamboo,
is prevalent in Bali, I am also aware that it is only used in premium projects, restaurants, or
bungalows in the jungle. The adoption of wooden constructions in both low to mid-housing-
residential is still very uncommon. This presents both a chance and a challenge. I'm aware of
how limited my technical skills and understanding are when it comes to sustainable building
in general and timber structures in particular, which makes me want to learn more about this
subject in my further education.

My interest in TU Delft
I am interested in Architecture, Urbanism, and Building Sciences with the Architecture
Track program at TU Delft because the diversity of studios available appeals to me. This
demonstrates the depth of know-how that universities could provide. Furthermore, several
student theses on sustainable architecture ideas and the use of bio-based materials sparked my
curiosity, exemplifying that research in this field is progressing well at this institution. TU delft
as one of the best architectural campuses in the world certainly attracts many talented students
from all over the world which will create a very dynamic and unique study collaboration.
Despite having studied the fundamentals of sustainable architecture in my two
undergraduate programs in engineering physics and architecture as well as in real work
projects, I feel like I haven't learned everything. The extensive curriculum, studio, and study
projects provided by TU Delft are able to help me acquire the skills I hope to have.
Additionally, TU Delft frequently invites world-class professors and practicing architects to
speak at seminars, public lectures, or studios, which of course provides me the opportunity to
engage with them and exchange ideas.
Moreover, the Netherlands is home to a wide variety of antiquity, distinctive, and
contemporary architecture that serves as excellent natural laboratories for architecture students
to study and seek inspiration from.

Bachelor's Experience
As I previously mentioned, I hold two bachelor's degrees. In high school, I was
particularly interested in physics and architecture, so I pursued two undergraduate degrees at
universities. Engineering Physics was the first, and Architecture was the second. After
graduating from Engineering Physics, my first job was as an Instrument and Control Engineer.
I began my second undergraduate degree in architecture two years later. Since then, I've worked
full-time as an instrument and control engineer while also studying architecture after working
hours and on weekends.
I was exposed to the idea of sustainability for the first time in my engineering physics
education. I’ve learned several electives and fundamentals such as Building Physics, energy
auditing in buildings, performing lighting simulations, CFD analyses in architecture, and
evaluating acoustic and building noise performance.
When I was in architecture school, the mindset of engineers who think linearly does not
really apply when studying architecture. Architects are taught to think laterally as well as
provide feedback on every concept iteration. To create a good design, architects must take into
account the potential of the site, the orientation of the building to the sun, wind direction, and
climate.
We also explore traditional Indonesian architecture, tourism architecture, and tropical
architecture. These electives opened my eyes to the fact that our ancestors implemented the
sustainability approach through the architecture of many tribes' traditional houses in our
country. We learned how to combine the tropical concept of traditional houses with
contemporary architecture. Exploration of architecture through the richness of local culture
taught me that architecture must remain rooted in a regional context while also keeping up with
technological developments, particularly when it comes to the issue of sustainable architecture.
Final Project summary
For my final project, I was asked to transform a 5000m2 contoured land in Magelang,
Indonesia, into a productive integrated area consisting of Franchised Restaurants, Boutique
Hotels, Offices, and Residential Homes designed with sustainable architecture and a passive
design approach.
Javanese culture is chosen as inspiration for zoning for area division based on the four
spatial program functions, which take advantage of open plan areas that are rarely partitioned
with several openings. This of course is coherent with several key principles of passive design,
especially regarding minimizing partitions and utilizing cross ventilation to achieve better
airflow. The building facade is made of exposed concrete, which requires little maintenance,
and a secondary skin made of ironwood, which is an environmentally friendly local material.
The roof is designed with a flat roof concept so that it can be used as a solar cell installation
area. Rainwater will be treated with Rain Water Harvesting, reducing water consumption. The
outdoor space is therefore designed with permeable paving as a pedestrian and vehicle path.
This material was selected to enable rainwater to be absorbed directly by the soil while also
reducing the use of concrete and asphalt in outdoor areas.
The outcomes of this final project demonstrate that the use of local culture and materials
in the concept of sustainable architecture can be properly implemented. In completing my final
assignment, I discovered that the local cultural context in architecture must be preserved
because it demonstrates the character and identity of a building.

Studio I am Interested in
Before digging deeper into the concept of sustainable architecture in the coming
semesters, I'd like to experiment first in semester one or MSc 1 with creating future world
scenarios, which explore the many possibilities of imaginative architectural concepts for the
future of planet Earth in the "Why Factory" Studio. This research will spark us to rethink,
research and reshape our perception of the future of architecture. Furthermore, Prof. Winy
Mass, founder and principal architect of MVRDV, whose work I have always admired and
studied, is leading directly this studio. The opportunity to interact with him directly and
communicate ideas concerning hypothetical societies, landscapes, and architectural forms will
undoubtedly be a valuable and interesting experience.
In semester 2 or MSc 2, I will pick the MEGA studio, which is a collaborative integral
multi-disciplinary design studio that would allow me to collaborate with students from
Building Technology, Real Estate and Housing, and even Civil Engineering. In this studio, I
will assume the role of an architect, evaluating and optimizing every technical evaluation with
assistance from other disciplines such as facade design, building physics services,
computational design, structural analysis, and cost-schedule management. This studio is
intriguing because the design workflow that will be studied is similar to the work processes of
architectural companies engaged in multi-disciplinary approach-based projects.
In the last year, The Graduation Studio "Architectural Engineering" in MSc 3 and MSc
4 will be my chosen as a continuation of learning and exploring the use of sustainable
architecture in several elective courses in my undergraduate educations and in my first project
as a professional architect. I am very interested in exploring more about passive design and
combining it with the use of bio-based materials such as timber and bamboo.

Hypothetical thesis project

I had an idea to explore a modular pre-fab design using timber material and
implemented it in a tropical climate, a study case in Bali, Indonesia. The prefab modular
concept with timber material was chosen because it is less expensive and easier to construct.
The next challenge is to figure out how to keep this modular concept, which can be tedious,
visually appealing. Effective zoning arrangements, the utilization of a courtyard to create an
artificial view, and different facade design patterns in each prefab module can all be used.
The main principles of passive design, above all, are the most important approach in
determining architectural design aspects. It is hoped that the results of this thesis project will
end up serving as a reference for me in the foreseeable future in order to popularize the use of
prefabricated timber structures that are affordable to society and preferred by the public whilst
also supporting the development of sustainable architecture in Indonesia, in particular.

Closing
I can't wait to start this new journey and put in the necessary effort and thoughtfulness
to make my time at TU Delft a fulfilling experience. I am convinced that TU Delft might
transform me into an architect who contributes to altering our built environment and seeking
solutions for our mother earth if my journey with sustainable architecture could start with this
institution.