Under the guidance of faculty members from the Department of Architecture, Dr.-Ing. Ir. Ova Candra Dewi, S.T., M.Sc., GP. IPU., Intan Chairunnisa, S.Ars., M.Ars., and Nisrina Dewi Salsabila, S.Ars., M.Sc., through the Energy-Efficient Buildings (BHE) course, this team developed Gaiaha Peaks, an office and commercial building designed to blend with its natural surroundings.
The building consists of 12 floors, with the first two floors open to the public, while the other ten floors are dedicated to leased office spaces. The rooftop garden strengthens the building’s green concept, aligning with its surrounding environment.
The design of Gaiaha Peaks takes advantage of morning sunlight by opening the building mass towards the east, reducing the need for artificial lighting. In addition, solar panels on the rooftops of the two towers and the podium generate additional energy, reducing the building’s carbon footprint. With a green façade concept and integrated rainwater drainage pipes, Gaiaha Peaks achieves energy efficiency of up to 73.37% for the office towers and saves up to 72.46% of water usage.
FTUI Dean, Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU., highly praised the Gaiaha Peaks team. “This team has shown that architecture can play a role in environmental conservation while creating productive spaces for the community. We are proud of the innovation they showcased in this competition,” he said.
Amanda Trishana Mahira, one of the team members, stated, “We aimed to create a building that is not only efficient but also in harmony with nature. Gaiaha Peaks offers more than just a workspace; it also contributes to the surrounding environment through its comprehensive green concept.”
Intan Chairunnisa, one of the mentors for the Gaiaha Peaks team, added that their design is a real example of sustainable architecture that benefits society. “I hope this work inspires future generations to continue creating with sustainability in mind.”
The Indonesia Design for Greater Efficiency (DfGE) Design Challenge is an annual architecture competition initiated by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to promote the development of sustainable building designs. Since its inception in 2023, this competition has aimed to deepen the understanding of students and young professionals regarding green building concepts, emphasizing resource-efficient designs and a focus on carbon emission reduction. In the 2024 competition, participants were challenged to design a “Zero Carbon Building” office in Simpang Lima, Semarang. The proposed building had to achieve net-zero carbon emissions through energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies while showcasing environmentally friendly concepts relevant to climate challenges in Indonesia.
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Public Communications Office
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia
