The Center: Waste Not, Build With tackles Indonesia’s waste management challenges in low-income villages by transforming local waste into building materials. Each prototype is tailored to its region, using locally sourced waste to create familiar materials and encourage community adoption. For instance, the first prototype, located in the newly relocated capital city of Nusantara, Kalimantan, repurposes Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) from the palm oil industry into [P]MU Blocks, inspired by CMU Blocks. Beyond waste collection, through local material innovation, localized structural system and construction methods, the Center
demonstrates possibilities in forms, assembly, and the future of Indonesia’s contemporary architectural identity. By tapping into the country’s agricultural and manufacturing strengths, transforming raw waste into functional, familiar materials, this project reimagines how architecture can be deeply rooted in local place, culture, and sustainability.
