CASA A, designed by Wahana Architects, is a residential house that expresses a reverence for nature through its planning, features, and design inspirations. Located in Jakarta, Indonesia and sitting within an urban housing complex, the designers aimed to provide a contrast through a strong concept of natural openness, taking inspiration from the characteristics of caves.
Carved into the Landscape
What drew the owners into purchasing the property was the abundance of trees and green areas. Taking advantage of this, CASA A holds a strong connection to the outdoors A carefully orchestrated effort was made to translate this relationship into the user experience. It gives reason to preserve all of the vegetation already present, which is a commendable effort towards making the urban environment more green. Deep shades and trees filter the sunlight that enters into the grounds.
The layout made it so that you can walk alongside the greenery especially near the shared spaces. Two rock gardens, one at basement level and another on the first floor, act as a focal point within the structures. The stairs wrap around these two gardens through your ascent or descent. This creates the impression of continuously moving through nature as you traverse the floor levels. Complimenting this layout is an arrangement of large glazings and sliding doors.
Aside from aesthetics, Wahana Architects made it a point to include a multitude of sustainability features. Natural ventilation and lighting, a rainwater collection system, and sourcing renewable materials cuts down on consumption. A green roof and vertical garden bring greenery all around the structure, further supporting thermal comfort.
A Fusion of Style
CASA A features numerous frontages that are quite distinct from one another. Along its smaller facade, you might regard the house as a brutalist concrete structure topped off with glass. However, the other face of the building features an expansive set of rows of angled steel meshes that zag along its perimeter. A strong rectangular base at the bottom is used as the garage’s entrance while also contrasting the overwhelming juxtaposition of glass, steel, and concrete.
The interiors subscribe to a muted palette of greys and brown, with smoothened concrete as the dominating finish. Doing so creates a neutral backdrop for textures and outdoor views to shine. In contrast, other spaces are designed to elicit a sense of warmth and coziness using a brighter palette. Creating this variation frames each space in a distinctive manner, akin to the individuality of the residents. Adaptable spaces, formed by the open areas, allows the home to further accommodate a wider breath of activity.
Aside from the already existing nature, the designers take it a step further by adding their own twist to it. A reflecting pool, filled with stones, sits between the garage and the stairs going up. A group of floating trees imbue an almost otherworldly effect, as if they were flying up along the structure.
Modernism with Urban Class
CASA A is a modern structure, taking inspiration from numerous styles that harmonizes the needs of its residents and the beauty of natural elements. It espouses a responsible take on urban design as it maintains the environment it builds upon while also adding more.
Photographed by Mario Wibowo.
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