Danny Wicaksono is an architect who is also known for his writing and curatorial works. He started an architecture journal called “Jong Arsitek!” in 2008. Last year, he had his hands full with “Prihal” and Bintaro Design District 2019, where he was one of the curators. Other than that and being listed as a critic in the International Committee of Architectural Critics, Danny still has more on his plate.
Danny graduated from Trisakti University in 2006. Afterwards he spent about four years working at Mamostudio and andramatin. “I saw architecture as an independent skill. I could express my ideas independently,” Danny explained about why he was interested in architecture. “Along the journey I learnt that to actually realise my ideas I need to work with other parties. Later on I was interested in urban areas too. As a citizen I have a responsibility to think about the environment and how I can contribute to do something useful to the society,” he added.
In 2008 he co-founded “Jong Arsitek!” journal. It was created to provoke critical thinking among our readers, aside from providing an alternative reference for architecture students. However, the journal has not been active since 2014 due to the founders’ busyness with other activities. In 2013 Danny finally founded his own architecture firm, Studio Dasar. Its projects include Anjung Salihara and Dej Café in South Jakarta, Anyar Market and Jatibening House in Bekasi.
Amidst architectural projects, he has ongoing research about small towns of Indonesia. “I want to see what can be done to make a better living experience. Indonesia has about 540 towns, but Jakarta almost always becomes everyone’s focus,” he said. The deeper he dug, the more he realised how little he knows about the architecture of Indonesian towns. Always thinking critically, he also thinks that textbooks and lectures should cover more about Indonesian ethnic architecture, so that we know where it stands in the development of Indonesian architecture.