When someone enters their home, they leave a part of the outside world behind—leaving behind the ever-changing skies with their mood-altering cloud shapes and movements, the inspiring sunrises, calm sunsets, the phases of the moon, and the dramatic shadow play of the surrounding landscape.
Project Name: Behind Three Threes
Studio Name: Nyatu Inc
Firm Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Gross Built Area (m2/ ft2): 360 m2
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
However, imagine if these simple pleasures of nature could be sensed and appreciated within the home. This would surely add enormous value to daily living, beyond just appreciating forms and finishing materials. It would encompass a healthy, balanced spiritual well-being that enhances appreciation for life.
The project is located in an old real estate housing complex where medium-sized houses have been built to take up maximum plot availability. Roadside green spaces have been replaced with more car parking spaces. Luckily, the project site has an advantage in the form of three huge fruit trees on the narrow street-side curb in front of the house. These trees were planted by the owner’s parents three decades ago provide a perfect privacy screen from the adjacent neighboring houses, offer good shade, and help cool down passing wind during high tropical heat times.
The design of the building is carefully planned to balance the use of solid materials, openings, and operable walls to provide both visibility and privacy. The layout of the masses and circulation with detachment to neighboring plots is designed to facilitate natural airflow throughout the building.
On the ground floor dedicated to family and extended friends, the combination of low trees and porous boundary walls serves as a privacy screen from neighboring premises. This design allows for a double-height living room that fully connects to nature within and upwards to the skies above the treetops. Semi-open, naturally ventilated staircase clad with weather louvers serves as the main circulation connection between all rooms and levels while acting as a natural air-cooling tower.
On the first floor, there are operable walls that allow for the expansion of the space; visually combining it with adjacent rooms and through to the outside environment. On the second floor, two good-sized family rooms can be used as a second home for relatives or as a place to sleep under the stars. In between these rooms, there is a glass platform available as a hangout place to enjoy any moment of the day.
This home provides a peaceful and relaxing environment where you can enjoy the beauty of nature. You can observe the changes in weather over time, feel the cool breeze on your skin, and be surrounded by lush greenery, creating an enriching living experience. It offers a holistic approach to tropical living, bringing a sense of tranquility and harmony to the heart of the busy city.
