IDUPJ Holds Arka Askara: Students' Final Projects Assessed by National Architecture Practitioners
Bintaro, South Tangerang, August 13, 2025 — Arka Askara: Bridging Academic Inquiry and Professional Practice in Architecture
The Architecture Study Program at Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ) proudly convenes its annual Arka Askara event—an esteemed academic forum dedicated to the presentation and exhibition of final projects by graduating architecture students. These works are professionally curated and critically evaluated by distinguished practitioners from prominent architectural firms, ensuring a rigorous standard of assessment aligned with contemporary professional benchmarks.
Far beyond a conventional exhibition, Arka Askara serves as a discursive platform that fosters intellectual exchange between students and seasoned professionals. It offers a vital opportunity for students to demonstrate their grasp of contextual architecture, urbanism, and sustainability. Each project undergoes a meticulous selection and review process conducted by external evaluators with substantive experience in the architectural field.
Ar. Ardi Jahya, IAI (President Director, PT Airmas Asri), commended the students’ work as indicative of a robust educational foundation responsive to the evolving demands of contemporary architectural practice.
“The final project provides a space for students to articulate their ideas and engage with external examiners. This constitutes a formative experience as they transition into the professional realm,” he remarked.
Echoing this sentiment, Ar. Mohammad Habibi, IAI (Design Associate, PDW), emphasized the diversity of student approaches—ranging from functional design and formal exploration to bold innovation.
“Final projects signify the shift from academic pursuit to professional contribution. Students begin to move beyond grades and toward the creation of meaningful value,” he observed.
Ar. Ardzuna Sinaga, IAI (Co-Founder, Urban+), underscored the imperative of harmonizing academic experimentation with practical feasibility. He lauded the inventive methodologies and theoretical depth evident in the students’ work.
“The designs reflect intellectual openness and creative vigor. Yet, it is essential that students begin to anchor these ideas within the realities of construction,” he advised.
Meanwhile, Ar. Achmad Noerzaman, IAI (President Director, PT Arkonin), noted substantial advancement in students’ understanding of sustainability, spatial quality, and material innovation. He advocated for enhanced presentation techniques to ensure the clarity and communicative strength of design concepts. He further acknowledged the enduring collaboration between Arkonin and UPJ, highlighting the active involvement of Arkonin architects in mentoring students throughout their academic journey.
Arka Askara not only showcases the culmination of students’ academic endeavors but also exemplifies their critical engagement with social contexts and ecological imperatives. The event foregrounds architecture as a responsive discipline—one that interrogates urban challenges and envisions sustainable futures.
This initiative stands as a testament to UPJ’s unwavering commitment to integrating academic scholarship with professional praxis. Through Arka Askara, UPJ cultivates graduates who possess expansive intellectual horizons, acute social awareness, and the adaptive competencies required to navigate the dynamic landscape of architectural practice.
