The Gathering Place frames the path leading to the summit of Bukit Gumantung

In September the Arkitrek Gathering Place team left Bukit Gumantung, and dispersed to pursue new and exciting ventures. The local villages have since taken ownership of the project, and have been working hard to finish the first half of the building.

As an Arkitrek intern I’m lucky enough to still make regular visits up the beautiful Bukit Gumantung. Last Saturday we went to find the newly-erected roof, the cladding carefully laid and lots of personal touches added around the site – a clear indication of people using The Gathering Place already, despite the building not even being finished!

The team have already added their own personal touches to The Gathering Place

 
A group of 45 enthusiastic scouts came up too, and began building the stairs and cladding the walls of the compost-toilet hut. The new, young architects took naturally to the role and we hope they will continue to take ownership of the project. The construction and problem-solving skills required on site will not only provide invaluable life skills for the scouts, but also help the building work move forward.

We’re pleased to see the dedication and enthusiasm of the Gumantung Team is keeping the project’s momentum going. In addition the wider community continue to support the project, coming together for Gotong Royongs on weekends to help carry materials up the strenuous hill – a daily commute which I surprisingly miss since returning to city-office life!

Some of the Scouts have now taken on the role of project architects!
Here they set about their first challenge – to build stairs to the Compost Toilet Hut.

As more groups of local people visit Bukit Gumantung, ownership of The Gathering Place is gradually being transferred into the hands of the villages surrounding the hill.