Breathing House: A Home with Amazing Indoor Open Spaces

The house, designed by Atelier Riri, is located in Griya Loka, Serpong, a suburban area of Jakarta, Indonesia. Given Indonesia's tropical climate, the house design focuses on addressing extreme weather conditions to accommodate this climate. Naturally, the design also emphasizes the use of natural resources for lighting and airflow.

Named the 'Breathing House,' this residence is situated in an established area dating back to the 1980s. The site seamlessly integrates with its lush surroundings. The irregular shape of the land did not hinder the architects from maximizing the homeowner's identity with a functional design approach.

The homeowners are a dynamic family with two children who wanted a comfortable, eco-friendly home with a distinctive identity. The concept of "form follows function" served as a guiding principle to maintain the desired characteristics of the house.

Starting with the asymmetric land in a corner position, a new grid is formed, creating unexpected spatial experiences. Elements of surprise are incorporated into the airflow circulation areas between rooms, with voids extending from the ground floor to the upper floors. This allows the public areas on the ground floor to breathe naturally through air ventilation.

The air ventilation used in this house is uniquely designed with large air holes arranged in a pattern, as depicted in the image above. Unconventional brick patterns add aesthetic value to the house. Additionally, this void area is covered by a skylight, allowing natural light to penetrate down to the ground floor. The skylight is positioned directly above the indoor swimming pool, helping to warm the pool's temperature.

Each floor's functions can be seen in the floor plan. The ground floor is used for open spaces, featuring a vehicle garage, a swimming pool, a living room, a guest room, a kitchen, a dining area, and a maid's room. Greenery is incorporated into the area near the street to create a more pleasant ambiance.

Due to its corner location, there are two entrances: the main entrance is on the side, while the other is through the garage. The main entrance is equipped with an iron gate and a brick wall, as shown in the image.

The upper floor serves as the family's private area, including a family room, a master bedroom, two children's bedrooms, a workspace, and a maid's room. The maid's room is separate, with its own entrance and accessed via a spiral staircase located at the rear of the house.

On the second floor, there is also a garden situated between the master bedroom, the workspace, and the children's bedrooms. Surrounded by these three rooms, the garden serves as a circulation area for fresh air when the windows are open, bringing a refreshing atmosphere to this largely open-concept house.

The top floor is designed as a rooftop garden, providing an open space for outdoor activities and family gatherings.

The rooftop garden adds an eco-friendly ambiance, with an area that is not covered by the roof serving as a garden on the floor below. It is spacious and can be used as a relaxation area.

By using natural and eco-friendly materials such as bricks, GRC (Glass Reinforced Concrete), and recycled metal, the house is designed in a contemporary style. The house also employs a rainwater recycling system, with collected rainwater used for irrigation and car washing.

The presented building façade has a modern design and serves as a focal point at the end of the street. Large glass windows in the master bedroom provide an open feel to the corner.