10. Mai 2025 In

wastu: the praxis of mangunwijaya

wastu: the praxis of mangunwijaya

documentary movie

What happens when architecture meets people, culture, and local materials?

Wastu: The Praxis of Mangunwijaya is a cinematic exploration of the architectural work of Yusuf Bilyarta Mangunwijaya – priest, architect, and writer. Twenty-five years after his death, this documentary focuses on selected buildings he left behind. It not only showcases the buildings themselves but also how they are connected to the people and communities they serve. The film brings together former colleagues, collaborators, craftsmen, and users of these buildings to share their memories, shedding light on the social and cultural significance of Mangunwijaya’s architecture. Through their stories, the legacy of Mangunwijaya and the lasting impact of his work on people and society come to life.

Who was Mangunwijaya?
Yusuf Bilyarta Mangunwijaya (1929–1999) was an Indonesian priest, architect, and writer. Influenced by his studies at RWTH Aachen University in West Germany in the 1960s, Mangunwijaya aimed to adapt the universal principles of modernism into an authentic, locally rooted expression. He was a pioneer of collaborative and sustainable architecture, responding directly to the specific needs of the local environment—an approach that remains highly relevant today. His work is a testament to his socially conscious philosophy, with his architectural legacy deeply intertwined with his commitment to the common good.

Contributors:
Mahatmanto, Wirjono (Wing) Raharjo, Revianto Budi Santosa, Sr. Martina Martiningsih Surjo S., Leila Chairani Budiman, Surono, Ado Bintoro, Albertus Soegiyarto, Agustinus Warno Miharjo, Fr. Moses William Yuwono, Yohanes Basuki Dwisusanto, Ariyanto

Film Team:
Directors: Angeline Basuki, Avianti Armand
Executive Producer: Setiadi Sopandi
Cinematographer: William Sutanto

Language: Indonesian with English subtitles
Runtime: 52 minutes

Dedicated to Eko Agus Prawoto (1958–2023)

Mangunwijaya in Germany
6. Mai 2024 In

Mangunwijaya in Germany

Friday, 10 May 2024

Y. B. Mangunwijaya in Germany

Lecture by Eduard Kögel, critic, publisher, content manager and curator in the field of architecture and urban development. Studio Eduard Kögel, Berlin, Germany

Moderator: Faiz Hamdi Suprahman, M. A., Universitas Islam Indonesia, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

An Indonesian priest, writer, political activist, and architect, Mangunwijaya studied architecture at RWTH Aachen University in West Germany from 1960 to 1966, after which he returned to Indonesia. In his architectural projects, he sought to translate the universal principles of modernism into an authentic, indigenous expression. He can be seen as a forerunner in collaborative and sustainable architecture that responded specifically to the needs of the local environment.

In 1959, shortly after being ordained as a priest, the Indonesian Catholic Church asked Mangunwijaya to study architecture in order to reform the country’s church architecture, which had been shaped by its colonial past. From 1960 to 1966, he studied at RWTH Aachen University, where distinguished professors such as Gottfried Böhm, Rudolf Steinbach, Erich Kühn, Eleanor von Erdberg, and Willy Weyres taught.

The lecture is part of the workshop programme hosted by the Department of Architecture, Universitas Islam Indonesia, Yogyakarta, and open to the public. Please join!

Learning from Mangunwijaya
6. Mai 2024 In

Mangunwijaya

learning from mangunwijaya

3 May 2024 to 31 December 2024

Learning from Mangunwijaya focuses on the architectural heritage of Yusuf Bilyarta Mangunwijaya (1929–1999), an Indonesian Catholic priest, writer, political activist, and architect. Mangunwijaya’s architectural legacy was shaped significantly by his studies in Aachen, Germany.

This project examines the enduring impact of his ideas on current generations of Indonesian architects and their relevance to contemporary developments in the region. Through a student workshop, exhibition, documentary, and symposium, Learning from Mangunwijaya aims to contextualize his work in the present day and foster broad local, regional, and international engagement.

Initiators:
Sally Below, Moritz Henning, Eduard Kögel

Curatorial team:
Avianti Armand, Putu Ayu Pramanasari Agustiananda, Sally Below, Moritz Henning, Eduard Kögel, Setiadi Sopandi, Nensi Golda Yuli

Further infos here