For Daliana Suryawinata, architecture is about design and integration with the local people who inhabit the space. This is something she learned with her design firm, SHAU, while they were involved in re-imagining a social-housing project for fishermen in North Jakarta. They realised it was impossible just to uproot the fishermen and re-configure their kampung life, so instead constructed spaces that would benefit the locals.

SHAU is involved in many public space projects in Bandung like the Film Park and the Cicendo Park—places recognised for their vision that design should offer solutions embedding society and its environment. Suryawinata is the only female Indonesian architect listed in the 2020 Architizer A+ Awards for the Microlibrary Warak Kayu, a unique open-space community library in Semarang with playful elements like hammocks and swings.

Suryawinata has also taught courses to postgraduate students and is completing her doctorate in design in urbanism. Working with patrons and partners, she co-organised Kota Tua Creative Festival from 2015 to 2016 to re-vitalise Jakarta’s Old Town with contemporary programmes and architecture.