LDAD 2026 Successfully Weaving the Future of Indonesian Architecture

JAKARTA - LIXIL, a global company that pioneers sustainable water and housing solutions, successfully held the LIXIL Day of Architecture & Design (LDAD) 2026, at Ciputra Artpreneur on August 12, 2026.

Carrying the theme "ARCHIPELAGO DIALOGUES: Architecture as a Space of Co-Creation", the fourth edition of LDAD again brings together architects and design practitioners from Indonesia and abroad with actors and professionals in the industry, to explore how collaboration across perspectives can shape the future of architecture and better living space quality.

"For us, LDAD is more than just an event. LDAD is LIXIL's contribution to the Indonesian architecture and design community, reflecting our commitment to continue to grow together with the industry. We see tremendous enthusiasm, where the number of registrations this year even exceeds the available capacity," said Audrey Yeo, Leader LIXIL Water Technology APAC, in a statement, Friday, August 14.

Interpreting architecture as a space of co-creation, LDAD 2026 presents four discussion sessions that bring together global and local perspectives on how architecture can respond to changes in society, the environment, and technological developments through dialogue and understanding.

In the first session, Richard Wood, Managing Director of Asia Snøhetta, revealed that a work can leave a positive legacy for the local community through the empowerment of existing skills and potential. Architecture is not just about buildings, but also about creating a platform for public life; human relationships with space.

He also introduced a collaborative process involving various parties through the concept of "ecotone", which refers to the meeting space between different phenomena. In the context of architecture, the concept describes how the meeting of various human characters, perspectives, and expertise can create new, richer spaces and encourage collaborative design processes.

The perspective on the importance of understanding the context was then strengthened by Gregorius Supie, Principal Yolodi+Maria Architects, in the second discussion session. He said that the architectural form is not determined from the beginning but can grow from the process of observation and understanding of life around it. Therefore, the design process needs to start by reading various aspects in a location, ranging from natural conditions, needs, community culture, material selection, to the local climate character.

Andra Matin, Principal of andramatin studio, showed how tradition, local materials, and tropical architectural principles can be translated into contemporary works in his discussion at the third session. The use of natural ventilation, shading, landscape, and social spaces are part of the design strategy to create a building that has an identity while being responsive to the climate and the needs of its users.

In the fourth discussion session, Patrik Schumacher, Principal ZHA, brought up a discussion on how technological developments can expand possibilities in architecture; not only serve as a tool in the design process, but can change the way architecture is designed, developed, and used.

Platforms and technologies such as the metaverse, virtual reality (VR), and gaming engines allow for more interactive collaboration from the early stages, including exploring and adjusting the space virtually before the project is realized. This approach can help produce designs that better meet the needs while reducing unnecessary investments. Digital devices with structural and material rules can also help ensure that the configuration created remains technically feasible, even allowing it to be prefabricated.

"Each speaker brings a different point of view, but the overall session shows one commonality, that architecture is not formed in a single way. Each science can complement each other in answering the increasingly dynamic spatial challenges. Dialogue, understanding and collaboration are important keys in shaping relevant, solutive and sustainable architecture," said Arfindi Batubara, Marketing Director, LIXIL Water Technology Indonesia.

The series of exclusive dialogues with world architectural masters at LDAD 2026 was then closed with a culminating event that also became the stage for the coronation and appreciation of the best works of the participants of the LIXIL Architectural Design Competition (LADC) 2026. Under the same big theme, the competition initiated by LIXIL Water Technology Indonesia together with the Indonesian Architects Association (IAI) is a platform for professional architects and young talents to respond to various real spatial issues through design ideas.

The I Professional Category Champion was given to the work LADC_P_130 entitled Pagar Laut: "Reclaiming Our Coastline", the result of the design of Ar. Iqbal Nurhidayat (IAI), Fahry Triza Nugraha, and Imam Darmawan Putra. Meanwhile, in the Student Category, the I Champion was achieved by the work LADC_M_063 entitled ei peowu: "Catalyzing Resilience Across Sabu Raijua", which was designed by Melvino Anindra Bagaswara, S.Ars., Bayu Putra Setiawan, and Muhammad Fathur Rahman.

In addition to the exclusive discussion forum and the LADC 2026 award, LDAD 2026 also presents a number of supporting activities that enrich the participants' experience, including 10x10 Archinesia, LADC 2026 Exhibition Area - an exhibition showcase for selected works from the competition, and the LIXIL Product Display Area.

"All the strategies and initiatives that we present are based on LIXIL's commitment, 'Better Homes for Everyone, Everywhere'. At LIXIL, we believe that providing better living spaces does not stop at functional products and solutions that meet people's needs. When all stakeholders can better understand and synergize, the ecosystem will become stronger, so together we can create more meaningful changes today and for the future," concluded Arfindi.