Jakarta – Deputy Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP), Fahri Hamzah, announced that his ministry has introduced a new innovation to support the construction of three million subsidized homes. The innovation involves the use of interlocking bricks, which are considered stronger and more efficient than conventional materials such as red bricks.
“Worker housing is often labeled as substandard. In fact, we can build sturdy and livable homes that remain affordable. Interlocking brick is one of our local solutions that can become a national mainstay,” said Fahri.
Fahri explained that the provision of worker housing going forward will adopt a new scheme—one that not only emphasizes affordability, but also material durability and livability. According to him, interlocking bricks offer an answer to the challenge of building large quantities of quality subsidized housing.
“It’s not just about being cheap; it’s about material strength and ensuring the homes are truly livable,” he added.
Interlocking bricks are the result of applied research and feature a self-locking mechanism similar to the LEGO system. These bricks are designed to be earthquake-resistant, as they are capable of evenly distributing seismic forces throughout the structure.
Another key advantage is construction efficiency. Homes built using interlocking bricks can be completed more quickly, as the process eliminates the need for soaking bricks, casting molds, adhesives, plastering, or smoothing. This significantly reduces costs associated with materials, labor, and transportation. In fact, construction time can be up to three times faster.
Interlocking bricks also offer improved thermal comfort. Due to their lower density compared to conventional bricks, they allow better air circulation within the house—resulting in a cooler indoor environment.
As a result, the homes feel more comfortable to live in. Fahri is also encouraging innovation-driven and collaborative housing development in industrial areas.
“Many of our workers have to travel long distances every day. This is not ideal, and it’s the reason we want to offer real solutions,” Fahri emphasized.
Under this scheme, the government is encouraging synergy among various stakeholders, including state-owned enterprises like BTN (as the financing institution), material producers such as Semen Indonesia, developers, and local landowners. Land owned by the public that is not too far from industrial zones will also be considered as potential construction sites.
Fahri highlighted the importance of financing schemes that are adapted to local conditions. He stated that worker housing solutions should not rely solely on long waiting lists in national programs like the Housing Financing Liquidity Facility (FLPP).
“Interlocking brick is a local solution that has the potential to become a national flagship,” Fahri concluded.
