Maria Chrismastyani Pratiwi – mariachris.wangsa@gmail.

com

Thursday, 05 January 2023

Board of Directors
PDW Architects
Plaza 3 Pondok Indah, Jl. T.B. Simatupang
Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta City,
Jakarta 12310

Dear PDW Architects,

My name is Maria Chrismastyani Pratiwi. I am an Architecture graduate from the Faculty of

Engineering. Diponegoro University, Semarang. I am writing this letter to see if you are hiring for an Intern
Architect position.
I am passionate about urbanism, architecture, and urban design. My side interests are
philosophy, sociology, behavioural study, architectural conservation-preservation, history, and
criticism. I realised that you have various projects requiring a broad way of thinking since architecture is
such a complex field, and this is precisely what I like in architecture. I also love thinking about every detail
of my work, technically and conceptually.
My parents want me to earn a master's degree in a few years. Hence I still need more experience in
this field, even though it may start from zero, because I realised that I am nothing in architecture and its
branch; even sometimes, I need clarification about how to design because I am more analytical than
creating. However, my former offices made me realise that I must go back to architecture: to mix all my
knowledge and expertise. So here I am, trying to gain experience from your office in this field if we talk
about my interest and understanding, even my reason for being in architecture. And the main thing that I
want to talk about something that makes me interested in joining your office is that I can also use my
knowledge in urbanism and preservation if required. I also quite understand building physics.

Picture 1. Pasar Johar Columns

(Source: Personal Photos)

Why do I mention preservation and conservation? I will describe it sparingly because it must be
too long to be written. I went to one of your projects in Semarang, Pasar Johar, several years ago when it
was still under construction, but I only found out who proposed the preservation design when I found it on
Instagram last week. I adore how you still put the unfixed “cendawan” column where they are nothing for
some people, but it mentions what happened to Pasar Johar before the renovation. Burnt. But, sadly, the
differentiation between the newer and the old version that you should realise about preservation is the
function and building material, something that I noticed in this project. Those used materials we can find
on the market can be the same as the old ones but slightly different, something that I cannot find in the new
version of Pasar Johar, even though some of them are more functional than the old ones.
It is suitable for function because it adapts to the times, but only some people know about it. Still,
you should present it and persuade others about your designs more than only about photos I found on
Instagram. PDW is a good, even one of Indonesia’s most prominent architecture firms. Still, back to the
Pasar Johar project. People were like, “ah, I do not know anything about their projects; can you tell me?”,
“The function still must be the same as the old one, lah,” etc. And even many architects outside there
underestimate PDW, specifically this project, because they know nothing.
Those are the main reasons I am trying to join your company as an architect. I do not care
about the position and division (if needed for me to be moved to another division), but at least I can
know more about your office and projects, specifically this one.
I am trying to join your office and still doing my best about my application insofar after my
realisation that I am more into architecture after several months of thinking about moving to other fields. I
realised that I could gain more experience and knowledge from my work experiences, but when I saw your
vacancy, I also realised that a degree is one of your considerations. Sadly, at this time, I need to go to work
before getting my PPAr degree next year or in a few years. And for another option, I can take a Master’s
Degree to use my expertise and your recommendation for my next degree to reach one of my and my
family’s dreams. And something I can give to your company is my loyalty and the knowledge that I
have; furthermore, maybe it is not that much because I realise that I am the one who needs the job
and experience.
For my work experience, I was a Student Intern at MSSM Associates from 2018-2019, a Junior
Architect at rafaelmiranti architects in 2020, a Junior Architectural and Interior Designer at TSDS Interior
Architects in 2021, and a Junior Architect at ma-ru from 2021–2022. My projects in TSDS Interior
Architects were N Res, Kafe Bawah Pohon, Euro City Bekasi, and Singapore Apartment (interior). In ma-
ru, I handled Ministry of State Secretariat (Kemensetneg) in IKN Nusantara, Bekasi Mall Interior, Pejaten
Sports Club, Kebun Raya Bedugul, Angsana Saranam, IKN Competition — Judicial Office Building, Rest
Area Toll Cikampek — Jakarta KM 19.5B, and MT House.
Also, when I was in university, I did some urban design and other types of projects; if you have
other considerations for moving me to another division, which can be found in my portfolio and Behance
account.
If you are curious about my achievements, you can check my CV and LinkedIn. I also put some of
my projects on my Behance. Besides, I can be reached anytime by phone number or email.

Thank you for reviewing this letter. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Maria Chrismastyani Pratiwi