Since Indonesia is a tropical country with intense sunlight at noon and high humidity, demands of cooler atmosphere are high. The use of air conditioner is very popular. Almost every building and houses have this important stuff. What do we think about it? Massive amount of energy? Or  ozone depletion refrigerants such as CFCs or HCFCs? Personally, I do not oppose air conditioner because sometimes a room with air conditioner inside is like an oasis in middle of a desert :D. So, we are not talking about that. The main focus on this report is an eco – friendly concept architecture inspired by culture heritage.

In the past where the use of electricity was not widely used or even it was still unknown, our ancestors tried to maximize every available resources to make a comfortable house. They tried to make the house warm without heater or cool without air conditioner. Materials, location, local wisdom, interior and exterior architecture were elements in their philosophy to construct buildings. And due to diversity in many aspects of life and culture, every region has their own ways. Thanks to them, If someday the earth not longer provides resources to generate electricity, we can re execute the way of our ancestor how to build a ideal building.

Nowdays, those philosophies are still use by some architect to design and construct buildings. Even though, the design will not follow the pattern 100%. People try to combine traditional and moderns ways for various reasons such as retaining culture or eco-concept found in the literature. Then the results of that genius combination are amazing buildings around the world. And one of my amazing building list is Soekarno – Hatta International Airport.

Soekarno – Hatta International Airport is located at Tangerang, a satelit city for Jakarta. As main airport and representative Indonesia to the world, this airport is still under developing to provide maximum services to domestic and  international passengers. Currently, there are three available terminals and we are going to concentrate only on 1st terminal.

When I was waiting for my flight last week, I found something interest due to  unintentionally doing observation around waiting room. Initially I thought the airport was bizarre especially on 1st terminal. Why does the terminal use a few air conditioner and why did I feel like sitting in a gazebo? Yes, this terminal uses air conditioner only in boarding rooms and the waiting rooms are like gazebos with no wall at all, only pillars and roofs. At noon, the terminal almost does not use lamps. Room lighting depends on sunlight. Beautiful gardens stand between the waiting rooms to fill the void and indirectly the gardens and breeze have been successful to reduce passengers? boredom. This airport is quite different compared to other airports I have visited. Usually, In Indonesia, airports are  equipped with many air conditioner and use many lamps at noon.   

I guess, although the terminal building materials are not eco – friendly material, but the concept of the terminal is quite eco – friendly. The minimal usage of lamp and air conditioner is one of important elements to save energy.  And it is quite surprising that the terminal is opened in 1985. As far as I know, in 80s, environmental issues had not been spread and voiced intensively like this decade. So, if it is not the environmental reasons, then what is the exact reason of this?

This airport, especially the 1st terminal was designed by French architect. He used ?Joglo? Concept. Joglo is one of Indonesia traditional building from Java region. This building is usually large and uses minimal wall, partition and many column. Joglo usually is a model for palaces. And the architect used this concept in order to create an airport with distinct characteristic inspired from local culture.

Implicitly, there is a message within this I guess. Our ancestors have taught us to be friend of nature. In order to survive, we should learn about the environment and live with them harmoniously. Do not try to oppose the nature.  Our ancestors tried to utilize the environment without created any damage and they were success. Recently, I see many new buildings with modern concept neglecting that principle. The ventilation rely on air conditioner only and this results a few number of natural lighting. My campus uses that way. Unfortunately when blackout happens, it is quite difficult to study inside classroom.  Maybe in some countries, blackout is a rare thing but It is a common phenomenon in here, trust me!