budi pradono architects builds shelter for cyclists in indonesia

budi pradono architects builds shelter for cyclists in indonesia
(above) the shelter was built in one of the most challenging stages of the race
image © budi pradono

the tour de ijen is a bike race championship held annually in the regency of banyuwangi by the union cycliste internationale. banyuwangi, which means fragrant water, is located in the center of the east coast of java in indonesia, with the backdrop of the ijen plateau to the west, and with fine views across the bali strait to the island of bali lying to the east. this year, the tour will be held once again in may 2016 and budipradono architects was appointed to design a shelter in one of the most challenging stages of the race. the designed structure is 30 m2 and provides a resting area for the racers to get their drinks, which are given by the committee since neither electricity nor water is available at the spot.

the shelter covers an area of 30 square meters
image © fx bambang sn 

the architectural concept aimed for the shelter to make its location more meaningful, rather than just being a simple canopy. to do so, the method followed was that of highlighting the specificity of the place, in this case, the mountains around. by mapping the height of these natural formations which are then fragmented by several incisions, vertical and horizontal lines will finally result in the ‘i-shelter’. its structure is made out entirely of petung bamboo which can be found around the area. this material is preserved traditionally by soaking it in the river for 8 months. the five-centimeter-wide bamboo laths are structured horizontally and vertically and are also stacked into several layers to create the 3D mountains and crater shape.

five angle steel bars support the structure
image © fx bambang sn 

the shelter functions as the fatigue point for the bikers or as the resting area for the pedestrians, hikers, as well as for car and motorbike stop. the supporting structure of the shelter is made of five angle steel bars which are structured randomly and covered by bamboo laths. the columns and peaks are positioned according to the analysis of the mountain range points in east java and banyuwangi. then, a transparent material (polycarbonate) which is thin and light is slipped into the center of the bamboo rooftops, creating the canopy. the project elevates local preservation methods which have been forgotten while creating a unique and specific site.

a polycarbonate sheet is slipped into the center of the bamboo rooftops, creating the canopy
image © budi pradono

the shelter will serve as a place for cyclists to stop and drink water, as well as for pedestrians and cars
image © fx bambang sn 

the project aims to highlight the area’s natural mountains and volcanoes
image © fx bambang sn 

the design references the different altitudes of these natural elements
image © fx bambang sn 

the bamboo used is found in the area
image © fx bambang sn 

the bamboo is preserved by soaking it for eight months in the river
image © fx bambang sn 

steel bars covered by bamboo laths
image © budi pradono

mountain range diagrams

3D model of the structure

project info:

project name: i-shelter
client: banyuwangi regency government – dinas cipta karya
location: ijen mountain, banyuwangi, east java, indonesia
status: commissioned
principal use: bike race shelter
design year: 2013
construction years: 2014-2015
architect: budi pradono
architect firm: budi pradono architects
architect assistant: anggita nasution
architect assistant support: rifandi septiawan nugroho
local architect: ganjar siswo priyo utomo, sunarji candrakencana
local architect supervisor: edy mulyono
contractor: banyuwangi local community
bamboo expertise: bambang
photographer: fx bambang sn
site: 132 m2
build area: 30 m2

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: juliana neira | designboom