Design Anthology - Asia Pacific Edition
Jakarta
To design this serene house in the heart of the city, d-associates drew inspiration from local vernacular architecture that mitigates the country’s tropical climate
Sometimes creating something new requires looking backward. In a region like South East Asia, where folks have lived amid tropical humidity for generations, building a considered, thoughtful house calls for acknowledging the vernacular — after all, the local architecture has evolved to create homes that mitigate the climate. Such was the inspiration for a Jakarta project by d-associates.
The brief put forward by the owners, a couple in their 70s, was that of a serene house, a sanctuary in the heart of the city, which was somewhat at odds with the busy location. The clients also wanted the house to be their last, adding the biggest challenge of all.
Maria Rosantina and Gregorius Supie Yolodi, founders of d-associates, decided to address the context of the site, the climate and the homeowners’ needs with a modern approach. With 550 square metres of land, there was plenty of space for the house. But it wasn’t perfect. It was a ‘typical compound in Jakarta,’ explains Rosantina, referring to the city’s often-awkward block sizes and lack of privacy. It was also located at the end of a T-intersection, so there was the possibility that foot and vehicle traffic might hamper privacy. The duo countered this with a ribbonlike facade in black sheltered by lush trees and tinted glass. ‘We wanted the house to be dark and bold. We thought black would also disappear slightly when it blends with nature and at dawn,’ Rosantina says.
The foyer — awash with black — and a minimalist rock garden leads into a voluminous, airy space, not unlike entering a forest clearing. Here, Rosantina and Yolodi oriented the home towards the inner courtyard. The living room is where the owners spend time with family, holding large gatherings when their children and grandchildren visit. These visits were accommodated by an open layout; no columns interrupt the living area, dining area and open kitchen.
The bedrooms, too, orient towards the central courtyard. As a result, these spaces benefit from natural light, alluding to a vernacular approach that allows light and air to flow into interior spaces. To achieve a breezy feel, the architects proposed streamlined furnishings and white oak veneers. Tropical plants in various shapes and sizes add texture to the interiors, gardens and courtyard. The architects also decided to blend the interior and exterior with a 15-metre cantilevered terrace that creates space for a front garden.
Ascending the double-flight straight staircase reveals the bedrooms on the second floor: the master with its roomy walk-in wardrobe as well as a guest bedroom for the owners’ daughter and her family, who often visit from the United States. A wraparound walkway looks into the courtyard. The guest bedroom, meanwhile, accesses a spacious balcony with a view of the city. The balcony also serves as an added buffer between the bedroom and the outdoors, affording enhanced privacy.
But what is most striking about this 1,000-square-metre home is the emphasis on curvaceous walls that tie in with the facade. Around rooftop openings that allow light and air to circulate are curvilinear concrete barriers; as architecture enthusiasts, the couple are particularly appreciative of details like these. Above, the neatly landscaped roof is where the family forms a new tradition of enjoying the city lights on cool nights.
The couple’s eighth decade of life is not only a time to relax, but also one where they wish to explore and create new possibilities. Their new abode marks a phase where family and kinship take on special meaning.