Studio Kota designs a notary office outside of Jakarta inspired by Jenga blocks and a checkerboard

April 6, 2021

The project by Studio Kota is a three-storey notary office building located in a low-density neighbourhood in Bumi Serpong Damai (commonly known as BSD), a satellite city on the outskirts of Jakarta. The plot is situated in the corner of a housing block overlooking a busy intersection. Unobstructed view of the street, freedom on the design options, better daylighting, and ventilation are some benefits of this corner plot.

The objective of this project is to create a pleasant work environment for the employees as well as to provide a warm reception for visiting clients. Those objectives are then carefully translated into a building design that addresses the client’s requirements and ambition. Inspired by Jenga blocks and checkerboard, these programmatic cubes are strategically placed within the building envelope to create an alternating indoor-outdoor, opaque-transparent situation. It is an interesting experience to stroll through series of spaces with different spatial qualities within the same building.

In terms of natural lighting; some rooms benefited from basic window fenestration, while others get the daylight from the perimeter skylight. This simple strategy is applied strategically to different rooms due to its specific programme. The solid-void composition on the façade shows how the subtraction strategy plays out in the building mass. The indentation on the façade not only contributes to composition but also gives enough depth for shading and cover from the rain.

Offices and meeting rooms are the main programmes for this building. The first floor of the building is dedicated to client reception and meeting rooms while the second and third floors are mainly for the work areas. Single flight stairs are the main vertical circulation in the building; elevators and ramps are also added for disability access. Outdoor terraces are added on the third floor of the building overlooking the surrounding neighborhood. This addition to the work environment functions as breakout areas for the staff, and contributes to the well-being and productivity of the staff.

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