#19029. Mentari House - contemporary architecture in Indonesia

This house is a prime example of tropical architecture, masterfully combining mass and lightness, geometry and naturalness, privacy and openness. Its façade seems to breathe, thanks to the wooden slats that not only serve as a decorative element but also play a crucial role: they filter sunlight, creating a dynamic interplay of shadows, protect against overheating, and ensure natural ventilation. The lower part of the house is anchored by monolithic stone planes, emphasizing its solidity, while the upper levels appear to float, seemingly suspended in the air due to the carefully composed volumes and cantilevered structures. This sense of weightlessness is further enhanced by the wide roof overhangs, which provide shade and shelter from the rain—an essential feature in a tropical climate. The landscape is meticulously designed—the hilly terrain of the plot is not merely accommodated but actively integrated into the architecture: cascading terraces with lush greenery seamlessly blend into the house itself, blurring the boundaries between the natural and built environment. Tall, slender palm trees extend the building’s vertical rhythm, their graphic silhouettes harmonizing with the pattern of the wooden panels, creating the impression that the house has organically emerged from the land. Every aspect of the design is guided by climatic logic: sliding shutters allow the interior to adapt to changing weather conditions, openings facilitate cross-ventilation, and the use of natural materials helps maintain a comfortable indoor climate. The architecture of this house is not just about aesthetics—it is a dialogue with nature, an attentive response to the environment, and a carefully considered functionality, expressed through pure and striking forms.