Cosmas Damianus Gozali

Mr. Cosmas was raised by his father to be independent. When he decided to study abroad in Vienna, his father told him he would only provide financial support for one year, after that, Mr. Cosmas would be fully responsible for himself. At the time, it felt overwhelming. As a teenager, living alone overseas with limited communication was incredibly tough. But that challenge became a defining moment. He started working and supporting himself, which shaped his strong sense of independence and work ethic. Though he initially felt upset, especially knowing his father could afford to help more, Mr. Cosmas later realised it was an intentional lesson in building character. In time, he came to deeply appreciate the values taught by his father: discipline, gratitude, resilience, and respect for time. The legacy of his father from those early lessons continues to guide Mr. Cosmas to this day.

1972 - 1978 SD Santa Maria Juanda, Jakarta; 1978 - 1981 SMP Santa Maria Juanda, Jakarta; 1981-1984 SMA Kanisius; 1984 - 1992 Bachelor of Architecture, Technische Universität Wien (TU Wien), Vienna, Austria

1992 - 2005 Founder and Architect of PT. Archindo Ciptakreatif. During a summer break, Mr. Cosmas met his cousin, also an architect, who had returned from the U.S. They decided to start a company together. So, Mr. Cosmas returned to Europe to wrap up his job and paperwork, and after that, he moved back to Jakarta for good. Though his parents hoped he’d work for a big-name firm first, he was determined to build something of his own. Their partnership lasted until 2005; 2005 - present Founder and Principal Architect of PT Arya Cipta Graha (Atelier Cosmas Gozali)

PT Arya Cipta Graha (Atelier Cosmas Gozali)

Heritage Building Renovation: Swiss Ambassador’s Residence, Jakarta 2009; Kanisius Chapel & Sport Hall 2014; Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics, Jakarta 2018; Central Auditorium Building, Kolese Kanisius 2020; Santa Maria Juanda Museum, Jakarta 2021; Ramayana Terrace Kempinski Renovation, Jakarta 2022; Major General M.T. Haryono House Renovation, Jakarta 2022; De Galleries Hotel 2022; St. Anthony of Padua Church Renovation, Jakarta 2024; Art Installations: Time Tunnel of Space Book Launch 2012; UTOPIA 2100 for CASA Exhibition 2014; Red Bamboo for CASA Exhibition 2015; Reaching Dreams for IAI Playful Urban Intervention 2016; The Clouds at ICAD Exhibition 2016; Vico Magistretti Travelling Archive Installation at Istituto Italiano di Cultura Jakarta & ICAD 2016; Capsule of Hope at the Venice Biennale 2016; Unfolding ASEAN for ASEAN Pavilion at the ASEAN Craft Exhibition, Philippines 2016; Journey Towards Peace and Serenity – Exhibition of Local Icons in Milan & Rome, Italy 2016; Viva Italy, Long Live Indonesia for Italian Design Day 2017; Capt Mente for CASA Exhibition 2017; Unlimited Imagination for AICA at IndoBuildTech 2019; Traditional Indonesian Wayang Installation at Kempinski Hotel 2019; Jakarta: Invincible City at JIAF 2023; New Buildings: New Austrian Embassy Building, Jakarta 2008; Gallery House, Pejompongan 2010; Kenten City Residential Complex, Palembang 2011; Amarta Hills Hotel & Resort Villas, Batu 2012; Central Promenade Mixed-Use Building, Padang 2013; The Orient Apartment & Hotel Building 2013; Kapal Api Office Building Phase 1 2014 & Phase 2 2019; Rifyo Office Building, Jakarta 2017; Istituto Italiano di Cultura (IIC Jakarta) 2018; Innopharm Office Building, BSD, Tangerang 2019; St. John the Evangelist Church, Jakarta 2021; Kartika Sari Office Building, Bandung 2021; Chevalier School Building, PIK, Jakarta 2024; Biomedika Building, Pluit, Jakarta 2024; International Projects, Singapore: Office Interior at Thong Teck Building 2014; Tanglin Hill Apartment Interior 2015; ION Apartment Interior 2016; India: ABHYAGAMA Hotel & Resort 2017; Golcha Garden, Heritage Palace Building 2017; EDIFY School Building, Bengaluru 2018; NU LIFE Hospital and Private Residence, New Delhi 2018; Book: Soul of Space published by PT Prima Infosarana Media 2012

During the COVID Pandemic, Mr. Cosmas and his community send ambulances to rural areas in Indonesia to reach underserved communities. They also supported vaccination programmes in Jakarta. He personally volunteered to help elderly citizens to take the vaccine. He sits beside them, calming their nerves by chatting about their grandchildren or families. Mr. Cosmas also founded an art community, where he dedicates himself to educate more people about art. This community usually takes a yearly trip to ArtJog, Indonesia’s biggest contemporary art fair in Yogyakarta. In 2025, Mr. Cosmas also served as Board of Advisor in Kids Biennale, helping shape its direction and supporting the organising team in curating meaningful and inclusive programming. In this exhibition, he tried to empower children, especially those who have experienced bullying, abuse, violence, or live with special needs, to rebuild confidence, and to educate parents and caregivers on how to better support and engage with them

Ganesha House won IAI Awards for Residential Category 2002; ICI Awards for Opera House Jakarta & Origami House Bandung 2002; 3rd Prize Award of Sunter BMW International Stadium Competition 2009; The Cultural Heritage Award from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government for the conservation of a historic building of the Swiss Ambassador’s Residence project 2011; IAI Jakarta Awards, Old Building (Conservation) Category for Swiss Ambassador Residence 2012; Most Inspiring Architect & Designer, iDEA Rumah Award 2014; Young, Creative, and Global Architect from Indonesia by Indonesia MyHome Award 2017; Gold Award of Singapore Interior Design Award 2019; General Idea Award, Craft and Fashion Design Category from International Busan Design Award 2020; Bursting from Within Project (with Ferry Gunawan as Lead Designer) won Exterior Architectural Illumination Category in Lighting Design Award 2023

Ikatan Arsitek Indonesia (IAI): Head of Organizational and International Relations IAI Jakarta (2018– 2021), Chair of the Awards Committee IAI Jakarta (2021–2024), Chair of Jakarta Lestari Awards, IAI Jakarta (2022), Member of the Advisory Board IAI Jakarta (2024–2027); Member of the Restoration Review Panel of DKI Jakarta (2020–2023); Member of the Cultural Heritage Expert Team DKI Jakarta (2023–2026); Himpunan Desainer Interior Indonesia (HDII); Board Member of One Piece Club Indonesia; Patron Art Jakarta

Though awards have marked milestones in Mr. Cosmas’s career, his true sense of achievement lies in how his work connects with people, inspires younger generations, and reimagines public space as a tool for social change. Over time, his public talks shifted from discussing design to sharing motivation, encouraging young architects to believe in their own potential and country. This belief is deeply reflected in his design philosophy, especially in government projects, where he consistently aims to prioritise public access. For him, buildings funded by public money must return their value to the people through open, inclusive, and welcoming spaces. Motivated by concern for urban youth who grow up with limited space to move or breathe, he sees public space as essential infrastructure for mental and emotional well-being. In the end, Mr. Cosmas sees architecture not just as what stands, but as what supports, connects, and quietly gives hope

Indonesian, English, German

Walking, running, swimming, gym training and travelling.

For Mr. Cosmas, life’s magic moments come in many forms. First, his wedding day, a milestone that deepened his connection with his loved ones and marked a beautiful new chapter. The second came after a near-fatal car accident that left him emotionally shaken and questioning life’s meaning, until a retreat helped him reflect on his blessings and hear a quiet but powerful message from God, to always talk to God in prayers. Since then, he reads the Bible daily, a practice that brings peace and strengthens his faith. The third moment was an unplanned visit to the Waisak ceremony at Borobudur. It led him into the heart of the event, where the release of lanterns under the night sky felt like a spiritual connection with the universe itself. And, of course, the birth of his child became another unforgettable joy, a reminder of life’s wonder. Together, these moments have shaped his journey, each one a turning point and a reminder of how life opens up when we walk with good intention.

Mr. Cosmas believes that true success stems from doing the best for oneself, being willing to learn, and going deep, because excellence never comes instantly. As an architect, he often draws parallels between construction and personal growth, seeing the depth of a foundation as essential to the height of a building, just as deep knowledge is essential to a strong career. Equally important is resilience. He acknowledges that life is filled with difficult moments that challenge one’s sense of purpose. Yet, he believes strength is found by returning to one’s core values, and that real growth takes place in the middle of struggle. Success, in his view, is never instant, and that is precisely why one must never give up.

aryacipta.com

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