Architect for Community and Nature

Raden Ajeng Tumenggung Luthfia Nur Putri Azizah always carries a pocketbook in her hand, while carrying her dreams and the achievements she wants to accomplish.

During her studies in the Architecture program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), Luthfia has lived her goals. Among her most prestigious accomplishments is participating in international architecture competitions.

The Javanese woman has been a proud medal contributor to the UMS Architecture program. For Luthfia, competitions are thrilling adventures that break the monotony of classroom routines. "Just attending lectures and sitting in class feels dull," she shared on Monday (6/1/2024).

She pays special attention to architecture that positively impacts the environment and society. Two of Luthfia's lecturers, Prof. Dr. Ir. Widyastuti Nurjayanti, M.T., and Suharyani S.T., M.T., once said, “Good architecture is one that is rahmatan lil alamin (a blessing for the universe) and hablum minal alam (in harmony with nature),” Luthfia recalled their words.

Raden Ajeng Tumenggung Luthfia Nur Putri Azizah. Imam Safii/UMS PR

This concept inspired Luthfia to create an innovative roofing tile made from organic waste. She named it Eco Rooftile, an environmentally friendly tile utilizing sugarcane waste, coconut husks, and eggshell waste.

The idea for the roofing material came unexpectedly. Every day on her way to campus, Luthfia saw street vendors selling coconut and sugarcane drinks along the Solo-Tawangmangu road in Karanganyar, Central Java. “There was so much waste being discarded,” she said. She then consulted her idea with one of her lecturers Intan Pramesti Rochana, S.T., M.R.K., and began drafting a proposal for the student creativity program (PKM).

Unfortunately, the Eco Rooftile proposal failed to pass the PKM selection. “I took a short break because of the failure,” she recalled. Refusing to dwell on disappointment, Luthfia submitted Eco Rooftile to the Japan International Youth Innovation Summit 2024 in Japan.

"In February, I received the announcement that I had made it to Japan," she continued. Luthfia then worked tirelessly to finish the Eco Rooftile. Her parents fully supported her and even helped her in the creation process. 

The tiles were tested, starting with leak tests, water absorption, pressure, and temperature tests. The tests, which lasted more than 20 hours, showed that the tiles could withstand leakage and water absorption. The Eco Rooftile also withstand a load of up to 15 kilograms and extreme temperatures.

Luthfia then brought the Eco Rooftile tiles to Japan. The result was remarkable as it won her the Best Waste of Recycling Innovation award.

Read more: UMS Architecture Student Reach the Podium in Japan International Youth Innovation Summit 2024

Luthfia is holding her Eco Rooftile after winning the gold medal at the Global Youth Innovators Competition 2024. The environmentally friendly roof tile was included in several prestigious competitions. Personal Doc

The Eco Rooftile project left a special impression on Luthfia because of the many stories behind it. A week before submitting the PKM proposal, Luthfia's parents had an accident and had to be hospitalized. To make matters worse, her teammates had to take exams, leaving Luthfia to work alone. And then, there was the failure to pass the PKM.

She was very grateful to learn that she had won an award in Japan. Her efforts were finally rewarded. “I immediately remembered how difficult it was to create the product,” she said.

Not only developing environmentally friendly materials, but the woman who has fallen in love with community architecture also developed the idea of revitalizing Kampung Balong, Surakarta, Central Java. This village, she said, is one of the slum areas where 80 percent of the population is elderly.

She proposed creating a livable village for the elderly. Her idea was to build collective housing so that the elderly could live under one roof. “One house for four elderly people,” she explained.

Each house is equipped with features such as ramps to help the elderly walk, paving blocks as walking guides, and an emergency button by the bed connected to the nearest health center. “The goal is for the elderly to be able to help each other when assistance is needed,” Luthfia added.

She entered the elderly-friendly village idea in the Asia-Pacific Youth Innovation SDGs Summit 2024 in South Korea. Yielding the same remark, Luthfia was awarded the Best Prototype Good Health and Well-being Presentation.

Born in Karanganyar, Central Java, on April 18, 2004, Raden Ajeng Tumenggung Luthfia Nur Putri Azizah is the youngest of three siblings.

After graduating from SMA Negeri 1 Karanganyar in 2022, the girl, who pursued a sciences concentration during high school, became interested in the Social Welfare Studies program at the Universitas Indonesia (UI). It was a field distinct from the academic focus she had studied in high school. Luthfia, who enjoyed studying biology, explained, “For me, biology is just a hobby. I like memorizing scientific names,” she recalled.

However, due to the prospect of being far from her parents if she studied at UI, Luthfia decided to continue her studies in the Solo Raya area, following her parents’ advice. 

Her first choice was the Psychology program at UMS, but she ultimately changed her mind and decided to pursue Architecture at UMS instead.

Most of her family members are engineering graduates, including her father, who graduated in electrical engineering. “No one in my family is from architecture so, I decided to try Architecture at UMS,” Luthfia said with a smile.

During the first two semesters, Luthfia was filled with doubt. Her desire to pursue social welfare studies still lingered. “I just couldn’t move on,” she said. The scholarship earner then shared her concerns with her academic advisor Ir. Yayi Arsandrie, S.T., M.T.

“Social welfare is also connected to architecture,” she repeated what her advisor had said. Luthfia was then shown a concept map created by her advisor. It turns out that architecture is central to the UN-Habitat Human Settlements Program aimed at improving community welfare.

Luthfia welcomed her third semester with joy. She had found her passion in Architecture at UMS. Her targets and dreams were written down in a small brown notebook that she carried with her wherever she went.

She would usually note the targets she aimed to achieve at the beginning of each semester, such as competitions or conferences. She also kept track of her accomplishments. “Sometimes, the number of competitions I participate in exceeds the target,” she added while showing the contents of her notebook.

Her motivation for achieving more milestones continued to grow over time. Since her third semester, she has actively participated in various architecture competitions at the local, national, and even international levels. Whether individually or in teams, Luthfia actively generated ideas about green architecture

Luthfia (second from left) after winning the gold medal in the 2024 Global Youth Innovators Competition. Seen on the far right, Ariz Fantrio Larosa, her teammate. Personal Doc

At the Archimony 2023 event, organized by the Yogyakarta Architecture Student Association (PAMIY), Luthfia presented two ideas that won awards. Her project titled “Sustainable Architecture for A Better Urban Settlement dengan Konsep Pemanfaatan Material Kayu Sebagai Unsur Utama Fasad Bangunan” won both a gold medal and the best concept award. The second project, “Sustainable Architecture for A Better Urban Settlement dengan Konsep Pemanfaatan Material Kayu Sebagai Unsur Utama Fasad Bangunan,” won a silver medal.

In addition to designing buildings, the woman who enjoys the Jengki architectural style also conceptualized the design of a city park for the capital city of Nusantara with a transformation of the Arabic letter "wau."

She entered this design into The Second National Urban Forum Indonesia Urban Youth Assembly (IUYA) 2023 and won third place.

The following year, Luthfia intensified her participation in various competitions. For example, in March 2024, she, along with two of her colleagues, developed EduSquare, a green open space in the form of a city park designed to support educational activities. This idea was entered into the Archworks 8 Competition at the Universitas Pembangunan Jaya in South Tangerang, Banten, where they won third place.

The student, who aspires to become a lecturer, continues to challenge herself by participating in various competitions. "Every semester, I have to join a competition. If I don't participate, it feels like something is missing," she said.

Not only striving for academic achievements, Luthfia also dedicates herself to various community service activities. The girl who enjoys shooting sports has been active in the Karanganyar District Children’s Forum since high school.

In 2021, Luthfia had a dialogue with Governor Ganjar Pranowo, representing Karanganyar District. She voiced the issue of the lack of a public high school in Tawangmangu District, which made it difficult for prospective high school students to register due to the zoning system.

"The nearest high school was in Karangpandan," explained the girl who had previously served as a facilitator for the Karanganyar District Children’s Forum. As a result, Governor Ganjar instructed the establishment of a public high school in Tawangmangu, which was inaugurated in 2022.

Luthfia is passionate about rural development. There is a quote by Mohammad Hatta that she always holds dear: “Indonesia will not be great because of the torch in Jakarta, but Indonesia will shine because of the candles in the villages.”

Her academic advisor, Suryaning Setyowati, S.T. M.T., also suggested that Luthfia focus on behavioral architecture. Designing for rural communities, both buildings and parks. “Let others design cities, I want to dedicate myself to villages,” she said with conviction.

Luthfia holding a child in a social activity held by the UMS Architecture Engineering Student Family. Personal Doc

Luthfia also passed the selection for volunteers organized by the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection. She was then deployed to the disaster zone of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). She served as a volunteer assisting the SAR team in searching through the rubble of people's homes. “I also helped with the evacuation of bodies,” she said.

In one corner of a house abandoned by its owners, who had evacuated, Luthfia found a book lying on the floor. The book was upside down, with volcanic ash covering its front pages. She flipped the book over and read its contents. "Whoever helps others, their affairs will be made easier," Luthfia recalled.

She paused, contemplating the words. Not long after, Luthfia continued her steps, with fiercer motivation aiming for greater positive change.

Writer: Gede Arga Adrian

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva