Jakarta. I Nyoman Nuarta, the visionary behind the Garuda Palace at Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan, has responded to criticism of the design, which some have labeled as grand yet gloomy.

Nuarta emphasized that the design process involved a team of 44 experts, including professors, doctors, and specialists in various fields, ensuring that the palace is not only visually striking but also secure and resilient.

"The work involved our team of 44 professionals, including experts in soil, thermal conditions, and smart geometry, to ensure the building's safety and functionality," Nyoman explained in an interview with Antara on Sunday.

Nuarta highlighted that the Garuda, which appears to embrace the palace, symbolizes the national emblem protecting the Indonesian people. The Garuda's head, gently bowed, was designed to avoid any impression of arrogance.

Standing 44 meters tall from the road and 88 meters above sea level, the Garuda Palace reaches an overall height of 70 meters. Nyoman also paid close attention to the palace's surroundings, planning to plant various flora on the surrounding cliffs to create a lush and cool environment.

One of the unique features of the palace is its floating waiting area, positioned between 30-meter-high cliffs and a 30-meter ceiling, allowing natural airflow to keep the space cool without air conditioning. "This design allows the temperature to drop significantly inside, creating a comfortable environment," he said.

Nyoman stressed that the Garuda Palace is an original creation, with no inspiration drawn from any existing structures worldwide, asserting that this originality is a matter of national pride.

Regarding the evolving appearance of the palace, Nyoman noted that the brass facade of the Garuda will gradually develop a patina, changing from gold to a bluish-green hue over time due to natural oxidation. Similarly, the weathering steel used in the palace's structure will darken over 1-2 years.

Nyoman explained that the choice of darker colors was intentional, avoiding flashy hues like gold typically seen in luxurious buildings. He also emphasized the importance of using locally sourced materials, such as steel from Krakatau Steel, in line with domestic content regulations.

He further elaborated on the complexity of constructing a presidential palace, which involves stringent security requirements, including bulletproof glass and thick concrete walls.

Nyoman hopes that young architects will appreciate the intricate challenges of designing iconic buildings like the Garuda Palace, understanding that it goes far beyond constructing a typical hotel or apartment. "This is not just about building a hotel or an apartment; this is for the number one person in Indonesia and the top leaders of the world," he remarked.

Nyoman Nuarta, a prominent Indonesian sculptor and a pioneer of the New Art Movement (1976), is an ITB alumnus with over a hundred sculptures to his name, including the Garuda Wisnu Kencana, the Proclamation Monument, the Jalesveva Jayamahe Monument, and the Arjuna Wijaya Statue.