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The talkshow featured three distinguished speakers from diverse backgrounds: Co-Founder & Director of RCUS Marco Kusumawijaya, Prof. Yandi Andi Yatmo, S.T., Dip.Arch., M.Arch., Ph.D. from Universitas Indonesia; and Senior Architect and Technology - BIM Technology Manager & Computational Specialist at Penta Architecture Dr. Arman Arisman, S.T., M.Ars.

In his presentation, Marco Kusumawijaya addressed the theme “Social Housing and the City.” He highlighted the housing crisis, emphasizing that more than 90% of housing affordability indices fall into the severely unaffordable category, even for middle-income groups.

He explained that housing price inflation is three to five times higher than average consumer goods inflation, and up to eight times faster than income growth. The root causes include skyrocketing land prices, competing land functions, and deep ownership inequality.

“Housing should be seen as a human right, not a commodity,” Marco stated, underscoring the importance of social housing beyond the logic of the free market, with real-life examples such as Kampung Susun Akuarium in Jakarta and Paguyuban Kalijawi in Yogyakarta.

Meanwhile, Prof. Yandi Andi Yatmo shared his experience in post-disaster reconstruction through his talk “Rebuilding After Disaster.” He presented a series of school projects rebuilt in Lombok, Sumbawa, Palu, Sigi, and Cianjur between 2018 and 2023.

By adopting modular systems and utilizing local materials, the reconstruction process was adapted to the landscape context and supported by low-tech solutions. “Flexibility in post-disaster design is essential to accelerate community recovery,” he noted.

On the other hand, Dr. Arman Arisman explored the uncertainty of technology in his presentation titled “Code & Concept: Designing for Uncertainty on Unstable Ground.” He emphasized that design tools are never neutral and that architects must act as curators of meaning behind algorithms.

While AI and generative design can generate countless possibilities, it is ultimately the architect who determines direction based on context and values. “A machine can draw a city in seconds, but it will never smell the aroma of fried snacks from a street vendor. What remains irreplaceable is the sense and meaning created by humans,” he explained.

The Unstable Ground talkshow served as a reflective platform for participants to examine architectural challenges from multiple perspectives, ranging from the housing crisis and post-disaster reconstruction to technological uncertainties. The event also marked the closing of the ATRIA 2025 series, reaffirming the importance of architecture as a discipline that must continuously adapt to the complexities of the times.

Reporter: Chysara Rabani (Mining Engineering, 2022)