Heavy Rotation House: Renovating a House from Conventional Shape into an Iconic Home in Its Environment, a Work by Parametr Architecture

With a 105 square meter area, Parametr Architecture successfully renovated a house into something truly unique in the Jagakarsa area of South Jakarta. Initially, this house was built just like the surrounding residences, sharing the same shape and facade as its neighbors. Naturally, the design of this Parametr house has become iconic in a neighborhood with similar-looking homes. Furthermore, the owner's request was to maximize the available space on the 7x15-meter plot of land.

In carrying out the renovation, the crucial aspect was how to utilize the existing building elements so that both the old and new elements complement each other. It wasn't just about adding new elements; it was also about integrating them while paying attention to the surrounding elements.

The addition of plates in certain areas for extra space was a common concept in this house renovation. The initial advantage of this house was its structural preparation for a two-story residence, eliminating the need for additional costs to create a new structure. However, adapting the design to the existing building's shape with clearly defined structural columns posed a challenge for Parametr Architecture.

Due to the added space and areas on the second floor, this house, named the Heavy Rotation House, transformed dramatically from being rigid, massive, and inflexible to becoming more flexible. The architects were inspired by the Javanese philosophy of "krowakism," which means "hole" in Indonesian. By creating a continuous void in the middle of the building, light and air easily penetrate all floors of the structure. Additionally, the metal corridor bridge on the second floor adds an open feel between the house's levels.

The house's orientation faces east and west, which means it receives a lot of heat and sunlight. This posed a challenge for the architects to design the house with window openings that allow light and heat to enter without overwhelming the interior.

Parametr Architecture tackled this challenge in a unique way. For the part of the house facing the east, the mass of the second-floor rooms was rotated about 45 degrees. This positions the room corners towards that direction, allowing the homeowners to stay comfortable inside without direct exposure to the sun's heat. For the first floor, an additional wall was added to ensure the interior of the house remains cool.

Air circulation and light are accommodated through large window openings measuring 3 meters on its facade and a skylight above the central void, providing ample natural light. The interior spaces of the house feel spacious and bright, thanks to the white walls and furniture. This contrasts sharply with the exterior's gray and black color scheme. The unique exterior design also draws attention, making this eye-catching house stand out compared to the neighboring homes.

source: heavy rotation house