STUDIO, REIMAGINED
Dee Studio GeTs involves the renovation of an abandoned old house as a starting point for reimagining the new place to suit the evolving needs of a Jakarta-based design studio. It was created through renovation and addition to an existing structure. Working within the constraints of the original house’s scale and volume, the design team focused on cultivating a work environment that is not only functional but also inspiring, comfortable, and intimate—embodying the essence of the original old house while elevating it for modern use and aesthetic. The very core of this studio was to maintain a sense of homeliness, creating a space that nurtures creativity and collaboration, yet seamlessly connects to nature, despite the lack of natural resources in the surrounding neighborhood. This process led GeTs Architects to confront a fundamental question before beginning the design: how can a design studio, a workspace, and a meeting area coexist within a home as a single space, each fulfilling its unique elements without compromising the others?
The original structure is a one-level structure, nestled between three neighboring buildings: a shophouse below-grade complex’s parking lot on the north side, a shophouse’s below-grade storage area on the east side, and an old house on the south side. The opportunity to expand the space to the shophouse’s below-grade storage area on the east side was offered and addressed as a unified extension space for this design studio. Thus, the perimeter wall on the east side which marks the boundary of the shophouse was demolished to utilize the area for an elevated meeting room. As for the existing house, the renovation also opened up to the east wall, replacing it with an operable expansive glass window facing the semi-outdoor area in the inner courtyard and visually connected by a glass wall from the new meeting room.
This gesture not only improves the spatial flows but also facilitates a deeper connection between the interior and exterior. Two existing trees, positioned within a raised planter bed, anchor the courtyard and provide a natural focal point, bringing an element of nature into the studio. To further enhance this connection with nature, the north-facing windows rise from the ground to the roof level, allowing afternoon sunlight filtered through the trees, to softly illuminate the studio interior. The raised planter bed, which houses the trees, also serves a strategic purpose by concealing the construction debris from the demolished wall, adding a layer of functionality to the aesthetic appeal.
The architectural exploration extends to the circulation system, which has been designed separately to cater to the different activities while maintaining a sense of unity within the gathering spaces. The inclusion of new, massive white walls is integral to the renovation and addition, guiding occupants into new spaces that break away from the patterns of the original structure. With the introduction of these new walls, a more dynamic spatial experience emerged: floors that rise with ramps guiding into a new private meeting room, expansive ceilings in the living area that go through the semi-outdoor dining area as a canopy, varying floor levels, and the creation of green spaces.
HOLISTIC APPROACH
Although the house was aged, several existing materials were still in good condition such as roofs, structure, walls, and tiles. The original mass, once a residential house, was preserved while abstracting the form of the old building—neither replicating nor mimicking, but instead enhancing the character of the surrounding residential neighborhood. The roof form and material selection are inspired by the original building’s design. The roof form and materiality draw inspiration from the original structure, with the new diagonal roof mass symbolizing the intersection of a new design axis with the existing building. This juxtaposition adds a layer of visual intrigue, creating a dialogue between the old and the new, while defining sheltered semi-outdoor dining spaces beneath it, infusing the atmosphere with an inviting playfulness.
The interplay of solid and void, as well as the material palette used throughout Dee Studio GeTs, has been carefully considered to demarcate different areas of activity—studio spaces, dining areas for breaks, and meeting rooms. The studio requires an inward intimacy conducive to focus, while the dining area benefits from a direct connection to the outside, fostering a sense of relaxation. Meanwhile, the meeting room demands openness and direct connectivity with the external environment with a separate entry area. To reconcile these differing spatial needs, the design integrates the inner courtyard and the semi-outdoor dining area as a zone where these activities converge, encouraging fluid transitions between spaces.
The exterior of the building is enveloped by expansive white plastered walls, designed to mitigate the harsh sunlight from the west and shield the interior from direct views. These walls create a minimalist canvas, upon which the surrounding vegetation gradually fills in, contributing to a vibrant and stimulating work environment. The intention was to craft a bright, contemporary architectural presence that stands in conversation with its surroundings, breathing new life into the old neighborhood.
Additionally, the strategic use of walls, vegetation, and carefully chosen materials helps mitigate the noise from the busy street to the west, ensuring a more serene atmosphere within. The simplicity of the building’s exterior allows it to blend harmoniously with its surroundings, while still offering architectural possibilities that engage with the open spaces, ensuring a cohesive flow between rooms within the studio. Ultimately, this renovation achieves a delicate balance between the intimacy of a home and the productivity of a workspace, cultivating an environment where creativity thrives and social interaction is encouraged.