Peace & privacy

Genius Loci completes a 'resort-residence' in Surabaya In Surabaya, not letting your neighbours know if you are in your living room watching TV is everything. Privacy is an important consideration for houses of such nature. Just like the imperial palaces in China, the facade puts on a bold front, but once inside the grandeur is re-interpreted into digestible and experience-filled spaces. Given the status of the client, the impression of the facade was important,but gone were the traditional rules of having massive structural members such as as pillars and driveways. This design language of this house was really conceived from inside out. The space and how it works forms the facade. Whist privacy was important and the elevation of the main living spaces has to be placed at a higher-than-road level, the forms developed in this house are a re-creation of interlaced lanterns. Contrasting screens of metal and stone gave varied texture to the massing. Once on the inside, the space defragments itself into enlightening spaces, with the master living quarters separated from the back of the house by a link bridge. The living room was purposefully set back to create a light and air well to facilitate cross-ventilation. As such, the owner finds himself surrounded by the natural greenery from each side of the house - an oasis, one might call it. The spaces are positioned nicely so that each experience is complete and the internal views of the house set no boundaries.