glass block external skin enfolds refraction house by RAD+ar in indonesia

glass block walls address privacy, light and heat issues

Design studio RAD+ar introduces Refraction House, the renovation of an old unsustainable east-west facing deep plan structure in Jakarta, Indonesia. The project aims to reevaluate the role of glass block walls as privacy barriers.

Faced with the challenge of optimizing a deep plan in a tropical climate, the design replaces traditional walls with a series of glass block combinations, refracting natural light deep into the center of the house. To address heat issues on the east-west facade, a pragmatic solution involves enclosing the front and back terraces, with open-air balconies providing effective heat release at a slower pace during the night.

all images by William Sutanto

Refraction House arranges balconies and internal gardens

Ensuring internal functional areas receive a natural light intensity of 300 lux, the design incorporates various glass block configurations. Open-air balconies stacked vertically on both sides not only enhance illumination during the day but also mitigate heat issues. Strategically placed mini internal gardens prevent vegetation from obstructing light, with courtyards integrated at the back, front, and middle of the site.

RAD+ar‘s design retains the majority of the structure, emphasizing functionality and minimizing intervention. The result is a living space that mirrors a dynamic environment, resembling a walkway in a park within a single building. The use of glass blocks allows for translucency, acting as a versatile canvas that can evolve with the family’s changing lifestyle.

the renovation optimizes the deep plan structure according to the tropical climate

the design replaces traditional walls with a series of glass block combinations

glass block walls refract natural light deep into the center of the house

mini internal gardens integrate greenery within the interior

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ground floor plan

first floor plan

longitudinal section

construction detail

project info:

name: Refraction House
architect: RAD+ar (Research Artistic Design + architecture) | @radarchitects

location: Jakarta, Indonesia

photography: William Sutanto – Arti Pictures | @artipictures

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: christina vergopoulou | designboom