The site is on the lakeside of the stunning, third deepest lake in Indonesia, Lake Poso. By the time we visited, 80% of the site was literally water, since the lake has a high-tide cycle at certain times. What might seemed odd and impossible, for us it was a beautiful challenge and an opportunity to explore with the design, materials and craftsmanship. We did bushwalking, interviewing a number of
local people (from carpenters to cultural leaders), and reading certain papers on traditional and vernacular architecture of the region. We wanted to make a building by using local and natural materials that are also ethical. Woods are native and beautiful but rare nowadays. They're uncountable but locals usually cut and burned them to create a new orchard or plantation. There are several kinds of bamboo we found in Poso -- from the fishing rod-like to the thick one. We thought about combining bamboo and woods for the main structure, with rumbia (sago leaves) for the roof. THE "FISH" HOUSE. While potential materials had been found, the design process was ongoing. We absorbed the indigenous knowledge of Pamona (native tribe of the region), the philosophy of the community, and the meaning of Lake Poso as the region's integral part. Fish was the building design that we and the local leaders there agreed to accomplish. The whole fish house contains a multipurpose hall at the front, globe-shaped library, 2-story office, pantry, and a couple rooms for the organization volunteers. Fish also has a signature meaning for the people around Lake Poso. They're a voice of life, as without them (fish), the lake would be soulless.
