Kuningan, West Java, Indonesia, is home to Svarga Cilimus, a two-bedroom villa. It rests above a 2300 square meter rice field. There is a farming town nearby that relies on rice production. Svarga Cilimus’ main draw is the unobstructed, close-up vista of nearby Ciremai Mountain.
© Mario Wibowo
Svarga Cilimus’ Design Approach
The plan is to provide a respite from the hustle and bustle of Jakarta, which can be reached in a little over three hours by vehicle. The building’s footprint near the rice field should be as small as possible. You should be able to see as much of Ciremai Mountain and the surrounding rice paddies as possible from Svarga Cilimus.
© Mario Wibowo
The length of the property allowed the architects to align the building so that every room faced the mountains. The building’s skin is translucent so all interior spaces can bask in natural light. The side facing the mountain is entirely glazed, but the side facing the street is treated differently. To ensure the privacy of those within, the clay ceiling completely conceals the house from the road. © Mario Wibowo
The architects’ response to the tropical problem utilized a modern design strategy. The vehicle porch, fishpond, dining area, kitchen, and bedrooms are all under a single, unified roof. This structure is raised above the ground so that it appears to float above the rice fields below.
Section A. © PSA Studio
The building’s clay roof gives it a commanding presence, in...