Project data
Architects : Sonny Sutanto Architects
Location : Sunter, North Jakarta, Indonesia
Architect in charge : Sonny Sutanto & Mira Susanty
Building Type : Architecture Office (for 30 people)
Site Area : 320 sqm
Building Area : 800 sqm (include courtyard and fish ponds)

Project Year : 2014-2016
Structural Design : Silvanus Liman
Constructor : Heron Hubert

Photography : Felicia Sartika, Elvira Sutanto, Stella Nathania

Project Description

After 13 years located above Sonny’s house, now Sonny Sutanto Architects office is located in a trapezoidal site in a residential area of Jakarta. There are several tendency to bring the old office ambience, for example the working space's comfortable scale, and to reuse the old furnitures. The use of material pallete is reduced so it won’t be to crowded, with handmade terracota details on the staircase as the focal point. There are also several additional elements to create playful ambience, for example the railing section mimicking Sonny's signature, “THE BOSS” lettering in principal's office, fish ponds and aquariums, and some handmade wall decoration from mozaics.

Programmatically, the new office massing is quite simple, there are three masses which geometry follow the site's trapezoidal shape, with the space in between as transition. In those rigid office programs, Sonny create sequence, start from creating a feel of entering the building, controlling perspectives through the corridor which shows the back courtyard, and controlling the geometry of defined spaces which accomodate certain activities. The spaces are oriented to the back courtyard, with a strong geometrical wall to avoid unwanted view of neighbour’s wall.

The first floor is used as public area for guests and employees. First floor contains parking area, fish pond, receptionist area, meeting room, material sample area, model making workshop, dining area, pantry, and a courtyard. The courtyard can be used for public lecture which occasionally held here. The first floor is open to the back courtyard and side entrance, to create natural air circulation flow.

The second floor is used as private working area for architects and principal, with administration room, a gallery, a library, and a fish pond as the supporting programs. The programs are placed surrounding the main stairs to create continuity, with high ceiling and transparent wall to articulate the transition area.

The third floor is also used as private working area for drafter and intership, with toilets and janitor as the supporting program. The transition space between them is an open air space, with view to the public park in front of the office. Meanwhile, the third and fourth floor in the back of the building is mainly used for service area. The circulation of the office area and service area is separated.