Blog post -

A Green Awakening in Indonesia

Indonesia's capital has mandated that buildings must be more energy efficient, while market demand for green projects throughout the country is picking up.

Densely populated Jakarta officially recognised the need for green energy solutions in 2012 with the passing of Governor's Regulation No. 38, which mandates that buildings with 50,000 square metres or more of occupied space must be designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste.

But even before that, the establishment of the Green Building Council Indonesia (GBCI) in 2009 gave green building thought leaders the unification they needed to help spread the word about the importance of sustainable solutions.

As part of the global GBC network, GBCI members have been able to glean ideas and present a stronger case for green buildings. Today, the GBCI works hand in hand with the government to help enforce new laws and pave the way for sustainable projects with its GREENSHIP system that rates buildings based on six criteria:

  1. Land use
  2. Energy efficiency
  3. Water efficiency
  4. Source Materials
  5. Indoor Air Quality
  6. Environmental Management

Green credentials gain recognition

As of November 2014, GBCI had only awarded green building certificates to 10 developments, according to an article in The Jakarta Post. Among them are the 56-storey BCA Tower and Sampoerna Strategic Square office and function centre. However, an additional 70 buildings are being examined for certification - most of them within Jakarta.

In 2013, Sinar Mas Land Plaza won the prestigious ASEAN Energy Award for Energy Efficient Building. The second runner-up was another Indonesian project, the Central Management Office at the Energetic Material Center.

"It should come as no surprise then that developers are starting to consider green buildings." said Monica Koesnovagril, senior associate director of the Colliers International real estate group. "They believe that market demand is increasing and the concept will give them a new advantage."

Homeowners seek eco-friendly practices

The green movement sweeping through Indonesia has not been limited to just commercial buildings. A case in point is Budi Pradono Architects' stunning R-House (image) in the city of Depok.

The house literally brings the outdoors in by including indoor trees that grow out of holes in the ceiling. Stone walls help insulate the home while skylights provide natural light, and perforated metal screens under the skylights provide shade. The natural ventilation system directs prevailing breezes through the central hallway to cool the house. To top it off, the roof is largely covered with grass, which insulates the home and helps reduce stormwater run-off.

If current trends continue, Indonesia has a bright, clean and sustainable future to look forward to. Finding the right solution is not difficult with an established leader in green technology like Panasonic, whose eco solutions are able to meet various demands.

Its LED lights, for instance, now help illuminate and conserve energy at the Prambanan Temple complex in Central Java, a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site, among other projects around the world.

Related links

Topics

  • Building, property

Categories

  • panahome
  • indonesia
  • homes & living

Related content

  • Get environmentally friendly with low-e glass and shading devices

    Thanks in part to government-led green initiatives, Malaysia is emerging as a leader in sustainable housing development. Low-emission (also known as low-e glass) and other shading technologies are amongst the country’s solutions to the problem of wasteful conventional energy.

  • Indonesian Eco Resorts: Showing the way forward

    A recent Trip Advisor survey cited by the International Ecotourism Club found that 79 percent of travellers feel it's important that "accommodation providers have eco-friendly practices." Explore how Indonesia is showing the way forward with a few noteworthy eco-friendly resorts.

  • Three examples of smart living spaces of today

    Imagine a home you can control with the touch of a button or your voice. Smart technology is revolutionising living spaces, combining automated living with comfort and convenience.

  • Bamboo in Construction: Today's Renewable Building Resource

    Bamboo is highly regarded as a reliable, renewable and versatile building material in many tropical regions. The plant is one of the world's oldest natural building materials and serves as an important resource for sustainable building in today's eco-conscious world. Panasonic explores ways on bamboo usage as a renewable building resource.

  • Interview with an Eco-Housing Expert: Jason Pomeroy (Part 1 of 2)

    Panasonic speaks to award-winning eco-architect, master planner and academic Prof. Jason Pomeroy, principal and founder of Singapore-based architectural firm Pomeroy Studio. In part one of a two-part interview, he talks about the key issues, drivers and trends of green buildings in Southeast Asia.

  • Asia's Green Ambitions Should Start from Urban Environments

    It is estimated that urban environments account for a large percentage of greenhouse-gas emissions. As such, governments are beginning to realise that efforts to reduce a country's carbon footprint should start in its rapidly growing cities.

  • Why Green Building?

    According to the results of the Green Building Market Report Southeast Asia 2014, green building practices are being adopted by increasing numbers of architects and developers throughout SEA. With 46 per cent of architects having already sought green building certification by 2014, and with 79 per cent stated their intention to do so in the future. What is driving the trend towards green building?

  • Lighting Effects: Bringing the Shopping Atmosphere in your Store to Life

    Advanced lighting technologies can significantly enhance the appeal and success of a shopping environment. Here’s how retailers can amplify the retail atmosphere in their stores with lighting effects, and provide customers with a richer and more fulfilling shopping experience.

  • Driving Malaysia's Green Building Industry

    Thanks largely to government incentives and the adoption of a green rating system, Malaysia is now at the forefront of the green movement in Southeast Asia.

  • Three Malaysian Green-building Joint Ventures to Watch

    Developers in Malaysia are exhibiting further commitment to environmental preservation with more green-building developments. These joint ventures highlight continued efforts towards environmental sustainability in the country.

  • 4 Simple Steps to go Eco-friendly in Your Home

    Eco-friendly home modifications are good for the environment, but that's not the only reason they're worth investing in. Here's a look at how having eco-friendly features in your home can make your life more comfortable and save you money.

  • Smart living: Smart lighting for your home and office

    Advancements in technology have enabled the development of lighting as an automated function within a room or home to adjust to prevailing conditions, hence improving energy efficiency. Here's a look at how smart lighting could benefit living spaces.

  • Malaysia's 3 Green Property Hotspots to Watch

    Bustling Kuala Lumpur is often touted as Malaysia's hottest property investment area, but developers are looking further within the country to find other investment opportunities. Here are three of Malaysia's property hotspots outside of KL. [Image Source: Flickr]

  • Where is Green Building Headed in SEA?

    As the world's population increases, more and more people in urbanised areas. Sustainable building is now entering the mainstream as a way to conserve natural resources, save costs in the long run and support population increase in major countries around the world. We take a look at where green building is headed in Southeast Asia.

  • Flood-proofing lessons for every home

    The devastating floods in Malaysia in 2014 highlighted the importance of taking measures to ensure that home are flood-safe. Here, we examine some effective ways to flood-proof existing homes as well as other methods for flood-proofing future developments.

  • Green Building and Sustainability Explained

    'Green building' and 'sustainability' are terms we hear frequently. Are the two terms synonymous or are there differences between them? How can an existing building be made more sustainable? What are developers doing to make their projects greener and more sustainable?

  • How a Geothermal-powered Home Reduces Environmental Impact and Saves Money

    Geothermal energy promises to reduce dependence on coal and other carbon-emitting sources of energy. While geothermal energy is important, it is not our only alternative. Large-scale geothermal plants can provide electricity to millions when combined with solar power in individual homes, drastically reducing energy costs with minimal environmental impact.

  • Rainwater Harvesting and Water Management Systems for Greener Living

    Recent flooding in Malaysia and Indonesia highlight the need for improvements in water management systems. We take a look home water management systems which can be used to mitigate the effects of heavy rainfall and also make water available for use in times of drought.

  • Is Your Electrical Wiring Safe?

    In a society where technology is ubiquitous, we often think little of electrical outlets or how we access electricity to power modern conveniences. However, to technicians and home builders, safe and high quality wiring devices remain top concerns.

  • Improving the Air Quality in Your Home When Haze Strikes

    Haze caused by fires knows no boundaries. It’s often carried from distant burn-offs into the hearts of cities across Asia. While it will take a united effort to tackle pollution and deforestation, there are still things you can do to improve the air quality in your home.

  • How green buildings are advancing Indonesia’s progress

    Image Source: Photo by Bart Speelman/CC by 2.0
    Here’s how the archipelago of Indonesia is making headway in the green building industry, despite being slightly late in taking action compared to the rest of Southeast Asia.
    More than half of the world’s population now live in cities. Despite Indonesia comprising more than 17,000 islands – many off the main city areas and still in various stage