Interview about Tranquil By The Sea Private Apartment, winner of the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award 2023
The property has an advantage of surrounded by sea as it is located at the northernmost point of Jakarta. The designer took advantage of the sea to emphasize it by creating a contrasting color palate of wood and dark features. It highlights and frame the ocean, allowing it becoming the main focus. In addition, the sequencing of space using their directive approach divides the area accordingly, along with different usage of materials and style on each sequence, to break the area so that it would not feel too wide and short as the ceiling height is low.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsWhen we first entered the apartment units, we and the clients were stunned by the view of almost 180-degree sea view; virtually all areas of the apartment have this direct natural sea view access that has currently no reclamation development, combined with the apartment's iconic slight blue tint glass, it enhances the image of endless blue sea as if we are in a cruise ship. We decided to use very contrasting materials, such as wood and dark colors, to shift the attention toward the sea view. However, we juxtapose the interior by adding touches of blue and beige color for the accessories, decorations, and loos furniture to pull a bit of sea essence towards the interior.
The inspiration is back to essential proportion and geometry ratios. As we could not alter the ceiling height, we divided the spaces into a couple of sections using partitions and into a couple of intimate areas. Thus, it will create the illusion of the space not being too cramped as it becomes proportional in ceiling height to room area ratios. In addition, this is where the directive approach plays a part, as we want to avoid dividing the spaces using straight-up solid walls. Instead, we assess each area and determine whether the partition material is solid, transparent, or translucent, also giving the sense of continuity and curiosity and hide-reveal as a person navigates from one space to another.
As mentioned, where almost 180 degrees of the unit faces a clear ocean, it is constantly affected by the sea breeze, which causes the salt content to be very high and damp. It is essential to look at each material and construction method to avoid corrosion on the units as they are inhibited, and a child's child is on them. For each fixed piece of furniture, we ensure it is constructed with 100% anti-termite-coated engineered wood and finished with laminate. We minimize steel construction; the thin black frame and furniture accessories are made of hollow stainless steel, which has been powdered and coated in multiple layers to protect the material even more. In addition, all the "marble" like countertop countertops and backsplashes are replaced with sintered stone slabs imported from Spain, which are durable and can handle high humidity and damp areas. Finally, for the stone wall treatment, we don't use a natural stone skin texture as it is porous and prone to mold; we use a play of thin plasterwork and apply a coating of synthetic granite finish texture paint to mimic natural stone looks and texture, we also fill the gaps with light plaster so that it won't sound hollow when knocked.
The space is inhabited by a young family with children where activity is very flexible; for example, hosting a gathering on the unit, playtime with the children, Parents and Kids sleeping together in the master room, and switching the office space as a temporary playing space. With this, the need for the space to be flexible is imperative. In addition to implementing a high number of loose furniture placed in the area, the lighting conditions need to be adaptable following the change in room configurations. Thus, the magnetic lighting system helps the owner. In a simple plug-and-play system, they could change and alter the lighting placement according to their new room configurations. In addition, the air conditioning diffuser is connected to the magnetic lighting track, making it easier for the owner to shift the diffuser following the new configurations without any significant work on the ceiling.
The most crucial lessons learned are to be humble and understanding toward all parties involved and not push for one's sole agenda. Simply trusting your partner vendor to perform their work is also essential, while keeping regular supervision to make sure it aligns with the design goals.
The property is unique, especially in Jakarta, where a luxury apartment that has an unobstructed view of the sea is rare. We took an opportunity where the apartment was just a home and tried to make it a healing space. As the owner come home from their "city" activities such as school, work, shopping, or simply running errands, they will transition through the foyer area, which is like the rest of the interior, has wood and dark features but has this fluted glass panel that reveals slightly blue tint from the sea view, In this foyer, they will open up their shoes, jacket, and placing all stuff in the cabinet, as they then moved to the main living space, they will be invited to this framed blue sea view that they will enter a state of vacation in a seaside villa or cruise and left behind their "city" errands. The sequential spatial revelation adds up the anticipation of relaxing at home after a long day in the "city."
It started mainly from how the space was wide and open after the primary inter-unit partition was demolished, also how the main living-dining-pantry area was opened up towards the entry, and all of the rooms surrounding it, making the space look like a cage and visually accessible from all areas, even from the service areas for Household helper. We decided to study each area space and try to work on how human behavior works when transitioning from one space to another; what do they see first? What do they expect to see or not to see? Do they feel comfortable relaxing in the living area, directly adjacent to the household helper and the main entrance area, which can always be opened? We then try to break the viewpoint from each room and direct their view with a directive approach method explained before to ensure each transition from one room to the other has its own unique experience, maintaining privacy but keeping openness from its owner and towards the sea view.
We think that the recognition is not being awarded to us just because of its aesthetics; we do acknowledge that many of the design out there has better aesthetics than our design, but it is the "fruit" that has been produced in the background in all aspects of the projects starting from the design process, the permit, the construction process, until the after-service, it helps to shape each design features placed so that the design is not just aesthetically pleasing, but it is fully functional, philosophical, and catered personally towards the client, and of course to elevate the living conditions of the owner. We are blessed and thankful that the A' Design Award Jury could recognize the hard work implemented towards this project.
Effective and transparent communication was essential in collaborating with the client, contractors, engineering team, property management department, and all the vendors involved in this project. By prioritizing clear communication, we could address most of the challenges. Maintaining a humble attitude and continuously educating ourselves helped us brainstorm alternative solutions for those encountering built or technical issues in real-time. Our primary focus was not solely on prioritizing design aesthetics for the project's success—while preserving design integrity is essential—but on effectively confronting and adapting to challenges with design alternatives that could be just as good or even better.
Luxury living in apartment space is not just concerned with aesthetics but is curated towards the site's conditions. Even though it is a typical apartment, considering the climate, dampness, humidity, and salinity level is essential, and it affects the use of materials and functionality in this apartment, especially in the coastal areas. In addition, even though the condo has provided us with a stunning sea view, we could elevate it more by using materials and geometry element placement throughout the apartment to frame the view more. In conclusion, having inclusivity towards the site as well as the needs of the clients is essential. It helps to shape the design aspects, especially in apartment renovations in coastal settings.
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