Ayu Prestasia

Associate, Consultant

Landscape Architecture | Circular Water Stories | Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Biography

Ayu Tri Prestasia is a landscape architect and researcher with an MSc in Landscape Architecture from Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands. Her work bridges professional design practice and interdisciplinary research on landscape systems, water-based spatial-ecological systems, and community-centered spatial resilience. She has contributed to international research collaborations and publications while leading landscape architecture projects across Indonesia and beyond.

Work inventory

2025 - current

with Just Transition Indonesia

Project Lead for Climate Adaptation Market and Workforce Assessment for MSMEs and Vocational Institutions in Indonesia (Ongoing)
JTI representative for the Transition Living Lab program, projects are in collaboration with Institut Teknologi Bandung, Emplace Youth Initiative, and University of the Arts London.
Contributes to JTI’s internal learning initiatives including the early development of the SPASI Podcast and ongoing participation in the Lingkar Ide discussion club.

Other and previous affiliations

with RDI (Resilience Development Initiative)

In CSWH Cluster, she co-founded the Urban Refugee Research Group (RDI UREF), an initiative that seeks to strengthen awareness, knowledge-base, and public discourse on the topic and how it can contribute to urban development. Within RDI UREF, she co-developed a range of research, public engagement, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, including the Pop-Up Discussion Series, Stakeholder Simulation Workshop, Let’s Walk My Journey (LWMJ) Art Exhibition.

with DEKONA Studio

Since 2018, Ayu has been a partner and landscape designer at DEKONA Studio, a Yogyakarta-based architecture and landscape architecture practice. Through DEKONA, she has led and contributed a wide range of projects, including hospitality development, urban forest & public spaces, and landscape masterplans across Indonesia. Alongside her professional work, Ayu actively serves as a member of the National level management board of Indonesian Society of Landscape Architects (IALI) (2025-2028), supporting initiatives related to professional development, knowledge exchange and thematic specialization.

with Lo-TEK Water

Ayu was a research collaborator in the Lo-TEK Water initiative led by Julia Watson. She was involved in research for Ngais Pasir, Terracing System of the Sundanese, Indonesia. The project documents Indigenous and traditional water-based technologies from around the world, highlighting their relevance for contemporary climate adaptation and regenerative design practice.

with TU Delft Circular Water Stories (CWS) Lab

Ayu was involved as a research collaborator at CWS Lab, which investigates the relationship between traditional knowledge systems, water management practices, and contemporary climate challenges through interdisciplinary research and storytelling approach. Within CWS Lab, she was involved in research on traditional water cultures and community-based landscape systems, including work on Kampung Naga, Indonesia.

with BENSLEY

Prior to establishing her independent practice, Ayu worked with BENSLEY Design Group, one of Asia’s leading hospitality design firms. During her four years with the firm, she was involved in the design and implementation of large-scale hospitality, resort, residential, and mixed-used landscape development across Indonesia, China, and the Caribbean. Working within multidisciplinary international teams, she contributed to projects from concept design through construction stages, including periods of on-site coordination.

Creative life

Beyond professional practice and research, Ayu is also active in creative entrepreneurship initiatives, driven by a strong sense of curiosity and creativity that shapes her approach to learning, exploring new ideas and connecting diverse fields of knowledge. She is the founder of Curly Concept, a platform dedicated to curly hair education, product exploration, and community-building in Indonesia. Through this initiative, she explores themes of identity, self-care and representation. The platform brings together individuals with diverse backgrounds and hair journeys, creating opportunities for learning, mutual support and collective knowledge-sharing. She is also Co-founder of MaaHee, a wearable art brand that combines illustration, storytelling and biodiversity themes into fashion accessories and lifestyle products. Through MaaHee, Ayu brings together her interest in design, ecology, and visual storytelling, translating environmental narratives into accessible everyday creations.