Yogyakarta – Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) architecture students have once again achieved outstanding success at the national level by securing 1st Place in the Sayembara Perspektif 2025, themed “Safe Haven and Holistic Healing for Survivors: A Healing Environment Rehabilitation Center for Survivors of Sexual Violence.” Organized by Universitas Mataram, the competition focused on designing rehabilitation spaces for female survivors of sexual violence, emphasizing contextuality and natural materials.
Yudha Dwi Anggara and Athaya Septiana Maharani, both 2023 cohort students, impressed the judges with their design concept that integrates bamboo, teakwood, and sandalwood as primary materials. Their design featured a sequence healing approach, dividing the space into three main zones: a safety zone for protection, an acceptance zone for personal recovery, and an empowerment zone for fostering user independence.
“We aimed to create a space that not only offers safety but also supports a gradual journey of physical and psychological healing,” said Yudha.
“This approach ensures each zone provides a sequential experience, from protection to empowerment, fostering an environment that genuinely supports recovery,” added Athaya.
The use of local materials such as bamboo, teakwood, and sandalwood was a key focus of their design. These materials, besides being environmentally friendly, carry strong aesthetic and cultural values, offering a sense of closeness and comfort to the survivors.
Despite significant challenges in balancing sustainability, contextuality, and spatial flexibility, they succeeded in producing a design that is both relevant and innovative. This victory highlights the ability of UGM students to address social issues through architectural approaches that are both human-centered and functional.
This design work reflects the real contribution of students in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being, SDG 5 on Gender Equality, and SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities. Through an empathetic and context-based architectural approach, UGM students have demonstrated that design can be a powerful tool for healing and empowerment with a tangible impact on society.
Congratulations to Yudha Dwi Anggara and Athaya Septiana Maharani on this extraordinary achievement! May this work inspire continued efforts to create spaces that are better and more meaningful.