RAD+ar "eliminates barriers" of Jakarta home to create open-plan layout

Angular concrete roof trusses frame the flexible open-plan attic that crowns this Indonesian house, which has been renovated by local studio RAD+ar in Jakarta.

The project, named Attic Above Garden, is designed for an architect couple who wanted a home that would balance spaciousness and a close connection to its garden with privacy from the neighbouring dwellings.

RAD+ar stripped the existing house back to its concrete and steel frame to create a stack of open-plan living spaces, topped by an oversized roof and attic with a glazed soffit.

"The open layout design eliminates barriers, removing walls and corridors within the space," explained the studio.

"By optimising the existing structure, the design ensures that all floors above ground are open plan, minimising walls or heavy elements that could disrupt the flow," it added.

The main bedroom of the home occupies its attic space, where areas of wooden storage and glazing between the large concrete roof trusses enclose a central sleeping zone and sunken sitting area.

On the first floor of Attic Above Garden, a similarly open arrangement sees a single living, dining and kitchen area surrounded by concrete columns, with a central seating area and stainless steel countertops.

All of these spaces were purposefully left "difficult to precisely define", allowing the inhabitants to easily adapt their use in future.

On both of these upper levels, the interiors open onto north-facing planted terraces and balconies, while large windows to the west frame views of the tops of the garden's tall trees.

"By working with the existing framework, determining what is sufficient and what may be excessive or insufficient, the spaces become difficult to precisely define," said the studio.

"Blurring lines and boundaries creates a more fluid functionality, while the interior will be enhanced by movable elements added over time by the homeowners," it added.

On Attic Above Garden's ground floor, a decked entrance route leads through the garden, shaded by the projecting floor plate above and extending onto a paved patio.

The children's bedroom, laundry area and maid's bedroom occupy the edges of this more compartmentalised level, overlooking the garden through sliding windows.

Throughout, the exposed concrete structure is complemented by areas of brickwork, glass-brick walls, paved floors and the home's original wood-lined ceilings.

RAD+ar was founded by Antonius Richard in 2017. Its other recent projects include an office block in Jakarta that features large breezeways and garden terraces, and a chapel with a tunnel-like concrete exoskeleton.

The photography is by Ernest Theofilus.

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