Jakarta-based architecture firm Budi Pradono Architects created a private house that pretends it will fall down with its randomly-designed structure in Pondok Indah district, in South Jakarta. Sitting on a 8m x 20m lot in Pondok Indah district, this private residence is referring to local houses in the same district which are all designed with the same architecture language. 

Called CG Loft House, the house is situated as a part of a gated community built in the 1980s on the edge of small river, with indigenous (urban) village settlements right across the river. Since then until this moment, Pondok Indah has a symbolic status because of its common structures and architecture language. 

"Some of the most successful parliament member in Jakarta as well as some celebrities who come from other regions feel like it is a must to have a house in this area. These symbols of success, aside from where it is located, generally showed by its architecture language," said Budi Pradono Architects.

"For instance, some structural columns which similar as it is in Italy or France – with its artificial face. These pillars show a success. To answer this challenge, I start to question the homeowner whether she still needs those symbols or vice versa? It turns out that she agrees to demolish this situation by deconstructing this common discourse, tilting the whole house to be something that almost fall down," added the architect.

Budi Pradono developed his design concept by exploring four major questions: Can an architecture be a critique in its environment?, Can an architecture be an antithesis in its neighborhood?, Can an architecture deconstruct a physical establishment? and Then re-question the essence of living?

"It is an extreme antithesis. Architects is given a discretion to observe the environment and react with this proposal. This house is also next door with one of the Indonesian musician, Ahmad Dhani."

"Dhani’s house is painted all black whereas this house is all white. This unintentionally coincidence reinforce Rumah Miring (Slanted House) as an architecture which criticize its environment. Architecture as a critique device in its environment," explained the architect. 

The architect designed public areas on the first level - the first level consist of a pantry, study area and a swimming pool. Second level is functioned for more private rooms such as a master bedroom, wardrobe and master bathroom. 

The 16-square-metre bathroom area on the second level acts as a response to the current trend of urban lifestyle who normally spend more time in a bathroom where users are able to have more quiet time, a contemplative room as well as a resting place while using smart phones, reading newspaper or social media as a communication device.

A lounge and a guest room are placed on the top level of the house. The architect designed private areas in the middle, creating like a sandwich effect between commonly used public areas.

The building is built from a stack of steel modules as a representative of a modern housing which depends on fabrication. The square framework is now agreed to be slanted as a symbol of instability, a deconstruction of an established situation around.

All images © Fernando Gomulya

> via Budi Pradono Architects