House with Strategic Openness

The site, located in Jakarta’s affluent Pantai Indah Kapuk residential area, posed a significant challenge with its extended rear, which impeded natural ventilation and illumination. To address this problem, the studio employed a strategic design approach by arranging volumes and carving voids throughout the structure. This configuration resulted in the House with Strategic Openness, where multiple courtyards and openings at each level enhance natural light, improve cross ventilation, and introduce greenery throughout the residence.

The house is composed of three distinct volumes linked by a passage. The central volume is dedicated to circulation, while the front and rear volumes accommodate various amenities across different levels. The ground floor houses the garage, gym, swimming pool, a small garden, and service areas. The second floor features a bifurcated layout: the front volume contains an office, while the rear volume houses an expansive open-plan living area with a dining area and kitchen. A courtyard with an opening to the ground-floor garden enhances spatial connectivity. Sliding glass doors further expand the sense of openness, and a void above the kitchen allows natural light to flood the interior.

The third floor is shifted to create balconies for the main and children's bedrooms, enhancing their outdoor access and views. The fourth floor is dedicated to a spacious outdoor patio and a playroom. The design is unified by a sophisticated palette of dark tones, predominantly gray, which extends throughout the exterior and interior. Natural materials such as andesite and lava stone from Mount Merapi create a textured ambiance, complemented by warm teak panels and travertine flooring.

Through the deliberate placement of openings and courtyards, K-Thengono Design Studio has adeptly transformed the site's spatial constraints into a design advantage, crafting a residence that seamlessly integrates natural light and ventilation with functional living areas.