UNS – A lecturer from the Architectural Engineering Study Program, the Faculty of Engineering (FT) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta shares inspiration through an interactive broadcast of the Radio of the Republic of Indonesia (RRI) Surakarta on Wednesday (3/6/2020). The broadcast was led by Ridho Wicaksono and presenting Dr. Titis Srimuda Pitana, a lecturer from the architectural engineering FT UNS who currently also serves as the Vice Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs FT UNS.
Currently, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, various activities must be done from home. In the new normal setting, this condition can be a new trend. One of the professions that can be done from home is architectural service.
In the RRI Learning program Inspiration class, Dr. Titis shares his experience as an architectural engineering student. This program aims to deliver information and knowledge for the listener at home. High schoolers who are about to choose university need to plan everything beforehand because all decisions taken are steps towards success in the future.
“I was also facing a similar dilemma, confused in making the decision. Then I chose Architecture because it is fun when our sketch is realized into a building that becomes a representation or monument of ourselves,” he said.
In the past, many assume that the Architectural engineering program is expensive and costly due to the need to buy various supporting equipment. However, this can be solved by Dr. Titis, he even made his own drawing table using plywood. Moreover, architectural design skills are not wasted, he considers that studying in Architecture will bring sustenance.
“During our study, we learned a technical sketch, how to create a detailed sketch. We can use this to earn money, I used to receive work drawings from companies or consultants. Thus, in our spare time we can sketch the job from the client and earn money as well as honing our sketching skill,” he explains.
In doing their job, an architect does not work alone. When their design is implemented in a building, various fields of sciences are involved such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and electronic engineering. Therefore, an architect needs to be a leader to be able to collaborate in various fields of sciences.
The Architectural Engineering Study Program also contributes to the handling of the ongoing pandemic by manufacturing face shield as personal protective equipment (PPE), which distributed to health facilities.
“Architect must get used to designing building miniature. Thus, we take advantage of this competency to make face shields. Currently, there are more than 3,000 face shields distributed. Production is still ongoing until today,” said Titis.
Dr. Titis currently is also serving as a member of the Building Expert Team in Surakarta City Government and as the Head of Cultural Heritage Expert Team in Surakarta City Government. An architect can also work in the cultural heritage field because there are many historic buildings that must be preserved. The effort to maintenance, preservation, conservation, and rehabilitation also require architecture study.
At the end of the session, a question and answer section are opened through a phone call. One of the callers, Jarkoni, asks regarding the pavement stone installation design located on Jenderal Sudirman Street, Solo. Jarkoni mentioned that the installation of pavement stone has made the passer-by less comfortable because it is not as smooth as asphalt.
Dr. Titis explains that Jenderal Sudirman street is designed as such because it is a zero-point area, a cultural heritage area that included in the Keraton Cultural Zone.
“It is expected that those who are passing through the area can pass slowly, if necessary the area should be free of motorized vehicles. Almost all of the building along the Jenderal Sudirman street is a cultural heritage building, such as Bank Indonesia, Kantor Pos, Church, Tugu Pamandengan, and the Keraton. Hopefully, we can enjoy the existing values of the historical buildings in the region,” he answered.
The concept of the Jenderal Sudirman street arrangement that uses andesite stone as replacement indeed made some people who passed-by, become uncomfortable. However, the design serves its own meaning, which is to make the passer-by enjoy the cultural heritage area. Humas UNS/Bayu