Margaretha’s Rumpi has been awarded best design for interior space by a student at the recent design camp

Margaretha is a third year Interior Design student at Binus University. She participated in the recent design camp jointly organised by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and HDII Jakarta and emerged as the winner for best design for interior space by a student.

Margaretha has always been passionate about social justice and equality. She said of her work “My biggest inspiration comes from my concern about the rapid yet uneven pace of development of education and access to information, which impacts equity and equality in Indonesia.”

Through the creation of a Rumpi, a portable edu-space that can be used for discussion, training or even self-reflection, Margaretha hopes to play a part in supporting the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals in reducing poverty and social inequality through education. The discussion space will be situated in public areas in Indonesia, equipped with reading material and discussion spaces, that will allow for an exchange of ideas as well as the gaining of knowledge and insight.

American red oak has been used for the structure and it was Margaretha’s first time designing with timber. She was initially concerned about the durability of the material and its ability to withstand the elements.

The design camp gave her the opportunity to learn about American red oak’s strength and versatility. She has also been impressed with the beautiful grain of the wood, which led her to be minimalist in other design elements in order to make the grain the hero of her design.  Whilst being both hard and heavy, the material is flexible too, which has allowed Margaretha to create beautiful curves with her design.

Beyond aesthetics, Margaretha is concerned about sustainability, “I always pay close attention to the social, cultural, and even environmental aspects in the process of doing my work.” In the American hardwood forest, annual growth outstrips harvest. It is a truly sustainable resource, an and such, one which Margaretha was drawn to immediately.

Margaretha hopes that this design will be the starting block on her quest to create a better world through design, “I hope this can be the opportunity to begin my journey and continue to create good works and contribute to doing things that can give a positive impact to those around us. My ambition is still the same, to use 'Design' to play an important role in helping to create a better world, that is universally inclusive for everyone.”

Follow Margaretha on Instagram @margarethakwok