Architect Rafi Haikal and His Vision of Advancing Indonesia's Development through Architecture

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - There are many ways for each of us to give back to society. Indonesian-born architect Rafi Haikal, who currently serves as the Director of ASEAN Business Development at the prestigious New York City-based architectural firm Urbahn Architects, aims to address inequality and social exclusivity in his home country through design. He believes that architecture is a critical industry in boosting both the development of a nation and the improvement of the quality of life of all members of the community. 

According to Haikal, the practice of architecture requires a balance between hard skills and social sensitivity that is accommodating to environmental, social and human interactions. He believes that architects must possess the ability to recognize and provide for the needs and motivations of each client in order to create safe, comfortable, and inclusive spaces that facilitate community and business interactions for everyone. 

“In New York City, the work of architects is regulated nearly as much as that of healthcare workers. It requires an extensive amount of education, work experience, exams and certifications for architects to receive their professional license. Why? This is because architects are responsible for the safety and wellness of occupants, proper and efficient functioning of properties, and public welfare,” explained Haikal. “Design of buildings and other elements of the built environment must ensure that the wellbeing and needs of all different users are accommodated, including those of varied physical abilities and identities. How do we build buildings that are accommodating to the deaf, visually- and speech-impaired and wheelchair-bound? Those with varied psychological and racial needs?” he continued.

One of the best examples of Haikal's work that showcases the responsibilities of architects is one of Urbahn’s current projects in Indonesia.  As part of his firm’s design team, he is currently working as an accessibility design consultant for the ongoing restoration and upgrade of the Grand Inna Bali Beach Hotel, a project led by the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in the Special Economic Zone (KEK) in the Sanur area, Bali. Haikal championed the implementation of accessibility design without neglecting interior aesthetics and spatial tectonics, which is also highly correlated with the well-being of people using and working in the building.

This interesting project provided Haikal with the opportunity to study the Balinese architecture and design market and traditions in depth, which then became his reference in transferring knowledge of the U.S. building standards into the hotel development process. "Indonesia does not yet have its own architectural, building, and zoning codes designed to suit the geographical, demographic, and cultural uniqueness of our country. We still use international zoning standards, and some of Singapore’s standards," he shared.

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