RGE Community Centre Riau: Technical Challenges and Stick System Curtain Wall & ACP Execution by Pelitamaju
As a façade contractor with long-standing experience in Indonesia, Pelitamaju once again contributed to one of Riau’s most distinctive public architecture projects: the RGE Community Centre in Kerinci. In this project, Pelitamaju collaborated closely with ONG&ONG Architects, ensuring that the façade execution aligned seamlessly with the architect’s vision for a fluid, community-focused space. Designed as a multifunctional hub, the building integrates a multi-purpose hall, event spaces, classrooms, and a polyclinic into one cohesive complex. Its organically curved form inspired by the iconic Bono wave phenomenon along the Kampar River introduces unique engineering challenges, particularly for the façade scope involving a stick system curtain wall system and aluminium composite panel (ACP) cladding.
The building’s curvilinear geometry presents the most significant technical challenge for Pelitamaju. The continuous curved structure requires exceptional precision in every component installed. Unlike flat façades or buildings with repetitive modules, a curved facade demands far more detailed measurement, tighter tolerance control, and more intensive coordination across trades. Each mullion and transom must follow the building’s radius with high accuracy, while the alignment between panels must remain seamless to preserve the smooth curvature that defines the building’s architectural identity. Engineering precision from design through installation is critical, as even millimeter-level deviations can affect both façade performance and the visual continuity of the building.
In addition to geometric challenges, the project’s location set within expansive palm oil plantation areas in Kerinci introduces its own complexities. The humid tropical climate of Riau, characterized by high rainfall and strong UV exposure, heavily influences material selection for both curtain wall and ACP. Specifications for sealants, gaskets, and the stick system’s draining design were carefully determined to ensure maximum resistance to moisture, heat, and weathering throughout the year.
For the ACP cladding, Pelitamaju faced the challenge of ensuring that every panel follows the building’s curvature without creating visual distortion. Accurate site measurement, precise bending processes, and installation techniques that maintain the building’s continuous visual lines were essential to achieving a clean, consistent façade appearance. Transitions between ACP, curtain wall, and other building elements—especially at the interface between façade and roof required detailed attention to guarantee proper waterproofing performance. Although the building includes a large walkable green roof, Pelitamaju’s work focused on ensuring safe, watertight façade-to-roof connections to eliminate potential water ingress at critical points.
The curtain wall system plays an important role in ensuring indoor comfort of this community activity centers. It helps manage natural light, reduces glare, and supports thermal comfort within interior spaces. Given the hot and humid climate condition, the stick system was selected for its flexibility in joint detailing and its durability under extreme temperature changes. The combination of glass, aluminum framing, and ACP accent panels provides a contemporary visual rhythm while contributing to the building’s overall energy performance.
The RGE Community Centre is more than a building, it reflects RGE’s commitment to sustainability and community. Pelitamaju contributed to realizing this architectural vision through the delivery of a precise, safe, and high-quality façade using a stick system curtain wall and ACP installation tailored to the needs of a modern tropical building. Completion of this project reinforces Pelitamaju’s capability in handling façades with complex geometry, challenging site conditions, and high performance standards.
