eben lontoh brings serenity to a house designed between two courtyards in jakarta

this house in jakarta, indonesia, has been designed as an everyday retreat for a client who, after a busy day working in the city, wanted to come back to a relaxing private haven. realized by architect eben lontoh, the dwelling is arranged around two beautiful courtyards, which create a serene environment in total contrast to the hecticness of jakarta. 

main elevation

image by mario wibowo

the first courtyard is located at the front of the residence. it acts as a soft transition between the busy main road and the house and as an entrance foyer to greet guests. unlike most internalized foyers, the front courtyard makes entering a special experience. it’s also a place for the owner to enjoy his beloved koi fish.

main elevation

image by ernest theofilus

the living room is the heart of the home and is positioned in between the front and central courtyard. in this double-height space, residents can enjoy a feeling of openness from both sides. screens to the front courtyard ensure privacy at all times while the glass to the central courtyard slides fully to bring a semi-outdoor feel to the living room. additionally, the sound of water blocks external noise and establishes a serene atmosphere inside the house.

elevation detail

image by ernest theofilus

the central courtyard, which connects to the living and dining room, also becomes the main place for the family to hang out and exercise in the swimming pool. they often bring drinks from the pantry and sit by the pool to enjoy the day. this courtyard has a lush vertical garden, which provides the main view of the house and the main internal view to two bedrooms. the master bedroom is located at the front of the house and is visually connected to the front courtyard below. 

front courtyard

image by ernest theofilus

the timber screens on the front elevation work threefold: to block heat from the sun, to dramatize sun rays that come inside the house, and to enhance privacy. with these screens, residents can freely open the window without being afraid of someone outside seeing directly into the house. and then at night, the screens become a lantern, giving the architecture a special, distinguishing feature.

front elevation

image by mario wibowo

living room

image by mario wibowo

living room

image by ernest theofilus

central courtyard

image by ernest theofilus

central courtyard at night

image by ernest theofilus

main staircase

image by mario wibowo

master bedroom

image by ernest theofilus

project info:

project name: between 2 courtyards

location: jakarta, indonesia

architect: eben lontoh

photography: ernest theofilus, mario wibowo

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom