Depok, August 8th 2023. An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter Scale (SR) that hit the Cianjur area in November 2022 resulted in damage to residential houses and various public facilities. After a period of handling post-disaster emergency conditions, efforts to rebuild the area are urgently needed to restore people’s lives. As a form of concern for efforts to accelerate recovery, Universitas Indonesia (UI) took an initiative to build a Ciherang Village Community Center in Pacet District, Cianjur Regency.
This development is a program of the UI Directorate of Community Service and Empowerment (DPPM), especially in the UI Disaster Care Assignment Scheme. On Friday (4/8), the Ciherang Village Community Center was inaugurated by the Vice Rector for Research and Innovation at UI, Drg. Nurtami, Ph.D., Sp, OF(K), and attended by the Director of Community Service and Empowerment, Agung Waluyo, Ph.D.; Head of Ciherang Village, Acep Haryadi; as well as a number of community leaders in Ciherang Village.
According to Drg. Nurtami, this village community center can be used by residents for various activities, especially related to services for the needs of mothers and children. “The various spaces available can be used for various activities, such as posyandu and health examination services; learning, playing and reading activities for children; gathering activities for residents; religious activities; as well as various other necessary activities,” said Drg. Nurtami.
The interesting point of the design of this village community center is that it is semi-open, so that there is a connection between indoor and outdoor space, and provides good natural ventilation. The construction materials used consist of a steel structure, glass reinforced concrete wall panels, and a uPVC roof. On a number of wall sections, panels are used that can be opened and closed to allow space to be expanded if additional user capacity is needed. The design of this building was carried out by the Design Cluster of the Architecture Department of the Faculty of Engineering (FT) UI led by Professor Yandi Andri Yatmo, supported by the UI Alumni Association (ILUNI) and ILUNI FTUI; while the construction work was carried out by the local community.
The Ciherang Village Community Center prioritizes space flexibility and construction speed. Flexibility means that the space design is multifunctional where it can be used for various community activities. Construction speed is achieved through a component-based construction system that is built easily and quickly, by optimizing material use and minimizing material waste. In less than two months, the building was completed and could be immediately used for community activities. Speed of construction while ensuring good quality of space is an important key in post-disaster reconstruction.
Prior to the construction of the Ciherang Village Community Center, the design and construction implementation team also contributed to the Cianjur area through collaboration with the Indonesian Rapid Response School (SICT), who built five schools/madrasas, and Bangun Mushalla, who built six prayer rooms. All these public facilities were completed in a short time and were used by the community as replacements for facilities damaged by the earthquake. It is hoped that the idea of designing and rebuilding with flexible building systems and rapid construction can become a reconstruction model that can be applied in other areas affected by disasters.
