atelier bertiga forms elora house in bekasi, indonesia

atelier bertiga has completed a striking residential project in north bekasi, indonesia, for a family of four. the design combines the family’s desire for a unique-looking home, unlike neighboring houses, with strategies to encourage healthy air circulation and limit solar gain.

images by ernest theofilus

the house is built on a rectilinear plot of 130 m2, on which the building mass is divided into two zones. the first mass is placed on the west side of the land to cover the sun’s heat from the west, and the second mass is placed on the southeast. this zoning method by atelier bertiga separates the services and garden from the main program on the west with the overall goal of maximizing land area.

with this configuration, the main mass in the west can receive more natural light from the east and south. skylights are also used to allow natural light from the roof, but not excessive because it is only for the staircase area (which is located) in the west (zone). besides, the arrangement of solid void brick material as a second skin is also applied throughout house facades to reduce the heat entering from the east during the day. this brick arrangement is also equipped with a louver glass (jalousie window) behind it to circulate natural air into the house.

by using the chimney effect, the incoming natural airflow is forwarded through the void in the middle, then hot air will exit through the wall gap in the roof to maintain the room temperature into cooler state. the existence of a high void in the middle of the house is not only used for airing and lighting but can be a vertical addition of space-related to future needs. an example is a presence of a mezzanine in the master bedroom which functions as a work area.

the triple tone concept is also applied to this house by using natural colors, like dark gray, terracotta, and white. dark gray dominates the main façade of the building on the second floor not only defining a straight masculine looks, but also can minimize dust for maintenance purposes, considering that the house site is located near an industrial area. the dark gray color is also combined with a series of solid void bricks starting from the south to the north then ending with an arch to soften the appearance of the pointed main facade.

the brighter, contrasting terracotta color is placed on the first floor, while still using the arrangement of perforated bricks to ensure the same architectural language. meanwhile, white is applied more thoroughly into the interior to present a bright and natural impression that reflects the family.

the placement of the core spaces such as the family room, dining room, and kitchen are placed on a line on the first floor to facilitate activities that are related to one another. also, these three rooms are deliberately exposed to a garden shaded by lee kwan yeu vines to show the connection between the outside and the heartwarming interior.