"Ruma Permata" is an adaptive reuse project designed during the pandemic for a young couple with a newborn. The existing site is a 20 years old apartment unit which feels dark and cluttered. Located in a bustling metropolitan area, the clients wish for a dwelling that can provide comfort and a sense of calm. As new parents with a newborn, the clients also asked us to provide as much storage as possible to help them keep things tidy and organized.
The design concept of “Ruma Permata” is driven by the clear needs of the client and the problems we need to solve from the existing condition. A straightforward, minimalistic design with restrained and earthy color palettes is used to create an airy and light, yet highly functional home. In order to maximize the functionality of the apartment and fulfill the client’s needs despite of the limited footprint, several design strategies need to be implemented. The layout is firstly rearranged by demolishing several existing walls to bring more natural light and airflow into the living spaces, therefore providing a healthier abode. The next challenging step, is to install large quantity of cabinets into the space to fulfill the clients' need for storage. All built-in cabinets are handle-less and camouflaged as wall paneling to seamlessly integrate it with the rooms.
As this is built during the pandemic, materials that can help reduce anxiety, increase comfort and easily cleaned were chosen. Combination of materials that are used in this apartment features shades of white, concrete textured paint, concrete patterned tiles, earthy toned fabrics and local sungkai wood. The uniformity of the material scheme makes the rooms clean and bright. On the other hand, the light colored Sungkai wood accents provide warmth to the spaces.
The clients are a young family of three that requested for a complete redesign of the interior to freshen up the existing condition which they felt is dark and cluttered. As new parents with a newborn, the clients asked us to provide as much storage as possible to help them keep things tidy and organized. Furthermore, as the project begins during the pandemic, the clients wish for a dwelling that can provide comfort and a sense of safety.
With new government regulations due to the pandemic, the amount of construction allowed on site becomes very limited. To avoid major delays and to fulfill the client’s budget, numerous approaches need to be taken in response. One strategy that is used to increase realization efficiency is by limiting the use of materials. Sungkai wood panels, white color and concrete textured paint and tiles are used repeatedly as the main material palette. This repetition of materials allow the whole space felt cohesive while at the same time, avoiding execution errors and therefore saves time and budget. Panels are prefabricated off site, using the typical plywood dimension of 2.4m which are the standard size common in the market. This strategy allows for quicker on-site assembly and reduces material wastes.
Durability and maintenance of the materials are also a major concern for this project. Wood panels and furniture are built using engineered wood instead of natural solid wood to prevent shrinking and swelling in the long run. Floorings are comprised of concrete textured rectified glazed porcelain tile and wood textured SPC flooring, which are quick to install and easily cleaned. Overall, the design is made sure to operate smoothly with minor maintenance.
The design concept of “Ruma Permata” is driven by the clear needs of the client and the problems we need to solve from the existing condition. Aesthetically, “Ruma Permata” takes on a straightforward and minimalistic design approach to make sure the house feels bright and functional, to counter the issues of the existing site. To create a sense of calm, white color, concrete textures and warm sungkai wood panels are used in balance as the major palette of the house.
Built-in elements such as cabinets and wall paneling are designed in a rectilinear fashion to maximize functionality. All storage units are finished without handles and camouflaged as wall paneling in order to seamlessly integrate it to the whole design, consequently not overwhelming the apartment with cabinets. The rest of the space are filled with loose furniture with curvilinear forms and softer textures to contrast the rigidity of the fixed aspect of the house. Using loose furniture also provides flexibility to the clients whose needs will keep evolving with the quickly growing baby. The curvilinear nature of the furniture are also safer for the newborn to move around.
Designed and built during the pandemic, the main focus in planning “Ruma Permata” is to increase the well-being of the clients. The existing layout have a lot of rooms and partitions that didn’t allow cross ventilation. The previous home owner relied heavily on air conditioning system throughout the day as the closed rooms can often times get hot and humid at an uncomfortable level. By demolishing several walls and readjusting the layout, the design opens up a path for cross ventilation for the majority of the living areas. The more open layout also brings more natural daylight inside the rooms, in contrast of the previously dark spaces. By adopting this strategy, “Ruma Permata” converts into a bright apartment with ample amount of breeze during the day. Potted plants are also integrated within the design to bring more comfort and reduce stress.
As hygiene becomes even more crucial during this time, several strategies need to be implemented to make sure the house is easily cleaned and maintained. The floor materials that are chosen are a combination of concrete textured rectified glazed porcelain tile and wood textured SPC flooring. Both materials are highly durable and known to be water resistant and therefore easy to clean. The existing unit was filled with shelves that accumulate dusts and generate clutter. In response, storage units are made into built-in cabinets that are camouflaged as wall paneling, therefore giving plenty of storage without the clutter.
Team:
Architects: Sontani + Partners
Photographer: Ernest Theofilus
Materials Used:
Combination of materials that are used in this apartment features shades of white, concrete texture, earthy toned fabrics and local sungkai wood. The uniformity of the material scheme makes the rooms clean and bright. On the other hand, the light colored Sungkai wood accents provide warmth to the spaces.
