Inside A Tropical Garden Home With A Blend Of Indonesian Heritage

In this week’s episode, located in East Jakarta, this 500-square-metre house, built on a 300-square-metre triangulated plot, serves as a sanctuary for a young family with two children.

The architecture is treated as a sculptural artwork, with the design aiming to seamlessly integrate old and new elements. Privacy and natural light are prioritised through strategic placement of the structure, detached from neighbouring houses to allow for optimal ventilation and sunlight. The entryway features stone flooring extending from the entrance deep into the house, flanked by greenery along high walls, creating an inviting atmosphere that bridges indoor and outdoor spaces.

The home’s entrance, designed to be both grand and humble, features a wooden door with a textured finish that echoes the stone flooring. The foyer, with its dark ceiling, is an intimate space where guests are introduced to the owner’s art collection, leading to a small guest room hidden behind a curved structure. A courtyard garden serves as the home’s central element, allowing air to circulate across four levels and connecting the communal areas on the ground floor with private rooms above. Trees planted in the courtyard are intended to grow towards the skylight, fulfilling the owners’ dream of living under a tree.

The dining room, the heart of the home, is strategically placed between the gardens and living areas, with a bay window offering lush green views. The space is designed to expand visually, creating an open connection between the rooms without partitions, allowing the family to enjoy different aspects of the garden from every angle.

The private living area on the second level serves as a transitional space between the communal areas and the bedrooms.

The master bedroom, located on the eastern side of the house, is designed to capture the morning sunlight, with wide windows filtered by trees for privacy. The en-suite bathroom features a bathtub positioned in front of a large window, allowing for natural light and fresh air to enter.

The rooftop garden, a response to climate concerns, replaces the initially planned pool. It helps reduce the house’s temperature and absorbs carbon dioxide while providing an extension of the living room for guests to enjoy nature.

Throughout the home, a two-tone colour palette serves as a backdrop for the owners’ art and antique collection, creating a harmonious blend of traditional and modern elements. The design encapsulates the owners’ desire to embrace their cultural heritage while living in a space that feels both modern and connected to nature.

As always, special thanks to the homeowners opening up their home to us.