FEM IPB field by paragon

An open space lies at the center of a concave four-storey campus building in Dramaga, Bogor, within the FEM IPB complex. The overall masterplan is conceived around a modular triangular grid that repeats throughout every layer of design.

During the site visit and interview with the Dean, we observed that the site boundary meets a higher road level, creating a steep slope, while many existing trees are fragile, their branches often falling during rainstorms. The area suffers from ant and mosquito infestations, and the western sun casts harsh light across the space in the afternoon. The surrounding building fully exposes the site to view from all corridors, and students frequently occupy the area until late at night, often up to 11 p.m. Since toilets are already available inside the building, the main need expressed was for a large, flexible open space to accommodate student gatherings and activities. The building itself is raised on pilotis, functioning as a wind corridor—cool air flows naturally from the higher southern side to the lower north—so any solid wall placed between these directions would disrupt the natural ventilation.

In response, we proposed a multifunctional open space that serves simultaneously as a basketball court, amphitheatre, landscaped park, and sheltered seating area, linked by multiple pathways and shortcuts, and furnished with public furniture for student use.

The design begins with an alignment to prevailing wind and building orientation. The basketball court is oriented north–south to ensure balanced sunlight, while the amphitheatre is positioned on the west side, placing the afternoon sun behind the audience. A continuous wall defines the space, punctuated by triangular, circular, and rectangular openings that add scale, depth, and a human touch. The sheltered seating employs a reflective ceiling to mirror the surrounding landscape, while a circular pathway weaves through the site, connecting linear routes and unifying the multiple spatial functions.