Sariksa Sabilulungan.
Taman puter.
Location: Bandung, Indonesia
Completion: 2024
Scope: Landscape Design Competition
“Sariksa Sabilulungan”
Proposed as a dynamic and multifunctional environmental park that harmoniously combines nature, culture, and community. “Sariksa Sabilulungan” blends the Sundanese words for “inclusive” (Sariksa) and “togetherness” (Sabilulungan), reflecting the goal of creating a space that fosters unity and serves people of all ages and interests.
Sariksa Sabilulungan has three main zones: “Silih Asah,” an active area where children can learn and experiment with available play equipment; “Silih Asuh,” an inclusive function for the elderly and people with disabilities; and “Silih Asih,” a space used by all groups to promote caring among one another.
The first zone, Silih Asah meaning "to sharpen one another", is envisioned as an active, exploratory space primarily oriented toward children. Here, play is not merely recreational but educational; the zone is equipped with interactive play structures and environments that stimulate curiosity, creativity, and physical development. It is a space where young minds are encouraged to learn through doing, to experiment freely, and to grow through the joy of movement and discovery.
The second zone, Silih Asuh meaning "to care for one another", is dedicated to inclusivity, with particular attention to the needs of the elderly and people with disabilities. This zone is thoughtfully designed to ensure accessibility and comfort, offering facilities and environments that accommodate a wide spectrum of physical needs. Far from being a peripheral addition, Silih Asuh is positioned as a central affirmation that public space must actively embrace every member of the community, especially those who are most often overlooked.
The third zone, Silih Asih meaning "to love one another", serves as the communal heart of the entire park. Open to all groups and generations, this space is intended to foster warmth, empathy, and social connection. Whether through organized activities, spontaneous gatherings, or quiet moments of coexistence, Silih Asih is where the park's broader mission of unity comes most fully to life — a place where the act of simply sharing space becomes an expression of mutual care.
Taman Puter serves as a vibrant community hub supporting diverse activities throughout the year. Its daily programming includes leisure, socializing, and physical exercise, while its flexible open space also hosts periodic events such as bird-singing contests and acts as an extension ground for Eid prayer gatherings.
Together, these three zones form a park that is far greater than the sum of its parts. Sariksa Sabilulungan stands as a proposal for what public space can and should be: inclusive by design, purposeful in its programming, and deeply human in its spirit.
Master Plan
The master plan of Sariksa Sabilulungan is organized around a circulation spine that connects all three zones in a continuous, accessible sequence, with secondary pathways branching into each area to create an intuitive hierarchy of movement suited for all users, including those with mobility needs. Silih Asah is positioned closest to the main entrance, drawing visitors in with its active and energetic character, while Silih Asuh is nestled in a quieter, more sheltered portion of the site to provide comfort and safety for the elderly and persons with disabilities, and Silih Asih occupies the most expansive area at the park's heart, serving as the communal destination that all paths naturally converge toward. Throughout the site, a layered planting strategy of canopy trees, shrubs, and ground cover defines spatial character, provides shade and ecological value, and frames a series of activity nodes from a central play hub to a flexible multipurpose lawn that punctuate the landscape with moments of pause and gathering. The park's edges are softened by green buffers that create a sense of sanctuary from the surrounding urban fabric, while multiple entrance points around the perimeter ensure that Sariksa Sabilulungan remains openly accessible and genuinely connected to the broader community it serves.
