Semarang

US-trained Indonesian architect Tamara Wibowo found the construction of her family home to be a lesson in local methods

Moving back to Indonesia after living in the United States for 12 years was a considerable change for Tamara Wibowo. After studying in Minnesota, Wibowo worked for a few years and started a family in the US before feeling the need to return home with her husband and their three young children. ‘It took a lot of adjustments, not just culturally but also to adapt to the weather,’ she says. ‘ Minnesota gets three months of summer, while in Indonesia it’s summer all year long.’

Ready to settle down in Semarang — a city on the north coast of the island of Java — the four other members of the family gave Wibowo carte blanche to create a refuge that would match their lifestyle in a entirely new environment. Imbued with a great sense of responsibility as well as excitement, she worked on a brief for her new home, just as a client would. The key to the project from the beginning was to create a house that breathes, that is full of light and surrounded by nature, and where her children could run in the yard freely. The project also had to be comprised of a memorable sequence of spatial experiences.

Built on a corner lot, the 600-squaremetre structure is divided geometrically into three masses serving different functions and clad in concrete with large wood-lined openings. One mass hosts the garage and office, another comprises the living spaces and the last is dedicated to the service areas.

Dwellers and guests arrive at the lower level, where the garage leads to the entryway via a set of stairs. Built around a decades-old mango tree, this transitional space unveils the three blocks and inner courtyard that hosts a small pool. Adorned with a lower wooden ceiling and darker tones than the rest of the house, the small entry foyer and pantry area act as an invitation to step into the family’s favourite space. ‘The dining room that opens up to the front yard and the inner courtyard is the most comfortable area, not only because of the abundant natural light and the funnelled air coming in from the pivot openings, but also because it blurs the boundaries between inside and outside,’ says Wibowo.

A narrow passage leads to the living room, which provides views of the front terrace and inner courtyard. Adjacent to the living room, the playroom with its low windows shows one way Wibowo kept her young children in mind. Upstairs, four bedrooms, including one converted into an office, offer privacy.

‘I oriented the house towards a north-south direction, mainly to avoid harsh sun exposure from the east and west and to benefit from a cross-breeze,’ the architect says. ‘The north side faces the Java Sea and the south one Mount Ungaran.’

Concrete and wood prevail, creating a beautiful contrast between the manufactured, cool and grey elements and those which are natural and warm. ‘ Both are used in their raw states to emphasise their strong material characteristics,’ says Wibowo. Built-in furniture, colourful rugs and paintings complement the neutral background palette.

‘The house was a big challenge, not being familiar with the construction system and the materials commonly used here, and learning about the tropical climate and how it impacts design,’ the architect concludes. ‘It was an experiment and a huge learning experience for me as an American-taught Indonesian architect.’