RMIT students support an NGO, Art Building Children’s Dreams (ABCD) in Developing Countries

Pictured: Carlton Rotary handing over cheque to ABCD

Students lead the way

In 2015, University of Gadjah Mada, RMIT University and Puton’s leaders worked together to develop a vision to design and build an educational precinct at Watu Ngelak. Students were supported by the New Colombo Plan and received modest funding for their travel and time in Puton. Two staff from the School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University and Faculty of Architecture and Planning, University of Gadjah Mada supported the students.

Students from a range of disciplinary backgrounds in Urban Planning, Construction, Property, Media, Architecture and International Development worked closely in a joint studio exercising skills and strengths in their fields to undertake a needs analysis and produce concept designs for the educational centre.  Students explored the location and region to understand the functional intentions of the site, cultural considerations, local resources, environmental and economic concerns to develop a sustainable design proposal focusing on using low carbon materials for design and operation.

Funding support

The project has received support by an NGO based in Australia; Art Building Children’s Dreams (Australia Inc) (ABCD). ABCD work in educational centres in Developing Countries to support students in need. Earlier in 2018, the ABCD Board were awarded $1000.00 sponsorship from Carlton Rotary Club, Victoria organised by the project lead, Assoc Prof Usha Iyer-Raniga.  This sponsorship is to continue to support the objectives of achieving better educational opportunities for children in developing countries and in particular, pursuing partnership opportunities to meet these objectives.

Concept design of multi-function education centre (above).

The location

Puton is a village in Bantul regency which includes Yogyakarta in central Java, Indonesia. It is a traditional village of approximately 1450 people working primarily in agriculture, traditional craftsmanship and cottage industry. The village is known in the region for a sacred rock formation called Watu Ngelak, a site revered for prayer and historic significance.

A Short History

In 2006 a devastating earthquake hit the Javanese Island. Its epicentre in the Bantul region struck Puton and neighbouring villages hardest, reducing 90% of the region to rubble and destroying homes and productive industry. As poverty levels spiked, the community had undertaken extensive efforts to rebuild and reestablish its housing and industry. In 2010, following a powerful explosion from Mount Merapi, Indonesia’s most active volcano triggered landslides along the bank of the river in Puton.

Author: Usha Iyer-Raniga