A Sense of Timelessness and Simplicity in The Humble House

The single-dwelling project is a collaboration of a Korean architect and an Indonesian interior designer that combines modern architecture complemented by a warm, inviting feel in the interior design. Simplicity and a sense of timelessness are essential in this home.

The project being the client's first house in Indonesia became one of the challenges faced during the project. Many adjustments were made to customise the client's needs as a foreigner, from the slightly low-ceiling guestroom to the general colour scheme. The client's request is to let the space flow as open as possible so they can watch activities around the house from any direction. 

A celebration of movement and procession results in a clean space with proportionally balanced furnishing. Easily maintained materials were chosen to accommodate a practical and functional way of life. The aim is portraying the client's characters through the house. Elegance is imbued to the house as it is completed with a beautiful collection of Korean contemporary art.

One of the eco-principles used here is the application of adaptively reused material from traditional natural Borneo weaving, which was previously used in an interior design exhibition. The client purchased the piece and incorporated it into the living room area. Not only celebrating crafts, this notion also brings Indonesian touch as it generates a sense of connection and locality. In addition, a number of large windows allow natural light to bathe the residence and help save daily energy consumption. 

For the furniture option, the client chose timeless designer classic pieces, seeing them as an investment. The thought is to buy good quality and original compositions for better durability, both functionally and visually. The idea behind purchasing 'what is necessary only' contributes to today's consumerist society. This value relates to the belief of living more by having less. Therefore, as design keeps evolving, it is vital to create a lasting design.

This project is a beautiful collaboration and visual dialogue between a Korean architect in Seoul and an Indonesian interior designer in Jakarta. The difference in nationalities and cultural backgrounds inspired and embraced them to work together with plural voices to sculpt and achieve a common goal: creating a space that reflects the client's unique passion and interest and embracing the season of the comfort of a home.

Both architect and interior designer are delighted to see how this teamwork successfully expresses the client's modern design vision and functional aesthetic: quiet and understated from the outside, the seamless blend of outdoor and indoor fosters a sense of the interior as an urban oasis with the ability to elevate the experience and create a consciously serene sanctuary in the heart of the city. The visual result is a perfect conversation of intimacy and a language of observing daily life and culture.