The Austrian Embassy in Menteng, Jakarta is not only Austria’s first green embassy, but is also billed as the first green building in the city – putting it in the lead in answering the call by Governor Fauzi Bowo to transform the country’s capital into a sustainable one.

Vienna-based pos architecture has designed the building according to passive house standards. It is specially adapted to Indonesia’s hot and humid tropical climate and the surrounding neighbourhood, and utilises local materials and traditional techniques as well as modern technology in its construction – making it a role model for future sustainable building projects in the area to follow.

The building gently blends into its exclusive location in Menteng with its villa-like facade. It covers a rough floor area of 1,100m² on 2 storeys and contains staff offices, meeting rooms, an auditorium as well as technical facilities.

The windows are primarily oriented in a north-south direction to reduce thermal load and overhanging roofs and wooden screens deliver shade. The building is also thermally insulated as well as air tight to prevent the infiltration of heat and humidity into the interior.

Concrete core temperature control delivers cooling where cool water circulates through the pipes within the concrete ceiling. The embassy has no conventional air conditioning and offers a comfortable temperature of 25⁰C with 60% humidity.

Solar panels heat the water and help dry the air and photovoltaic modules in the roof produce electricity. These systems, together with the heat insulation and air tightness of the building greatly reduce energy consumption to a mere 17% of a conventional build.

The embassy is also lit by energy saving lamps and rainwater is used for sanitary purposes and garden irrigation.

Photos: Timothy/Austrian Embassy Jakarta

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