Excerpt: Micro Tower Living by Arti Design Studio introduces a compact co-living prototype for Jakarta’s dense urban setting, addressing challenges like pollution, space, and affordability. The design balances private living with open, communal spaces that encourage natural airflow and light. Using local red bricks and passive design strategies, the residence promotes sustainable, healthy urban living for multi-family households.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Envision an ideal living space within a tropical urban environment such as Jakarta. Due to high pollution levels and security concerns, many homes in the city are designed to be tightly enclosed, leading to living conditions that are less healthy and far from ideal. Yet, as Jakarta remains the epicentre of business and the nation’s capital, it continues to attract a large influx of residents from other regions.
This house exemplifies a solution, serving multi-families who have come from outside Java Island to work in the capital. Instead of residing in many separate houses, the families decided to create a shared home that accommodates their lifestyle, where they spend long weekdays working from morning until night. Arti introduced the concept of co-living within a Micro Tower as a prototype for an ideal Compact Urban Dwelling, offering a solution that resonates with the needs of many in Jakarta. The micro-tower is designated as private, while the outer spaces are designated as communal areas. These communal spaces are styled like public zones, featuring skylights with wooden louvers and an open-plan layout that ensures flexibility for the residents.
This home is built on a relatively compact plot. Each micro-tower is strategically placed along the perimeter, stretching from the front to the back, functioning as the main structural support. This layout keeps the central communal area open and free of barriers. With micro-gardens integrated throughout the house, the communal space benefits from natural airflow that allows the air exchange and reduces the dependency to HVAC systems.
The big skylight is covered with Wooden Louvres that help to shade the heat but let the natural light penetrate to the public areas. Minimizing the use of unnecessary energy for the households by employing locally fired red bricks for both the façade and interior, we showcase our responsibility toward using local materials. Widely found throughout the region, these materials have served as a dependable choice for construction over the decades, valued for their strength, affordability, and minimal upkeep. Red bricks also offer natural temperature control and strong sound insulation, making them ideal for residential purposes.
By translating this concept into a living prototype, Arti intends to contribute to the well-being of the residents, energize the neighbourhood, and influence other cities facing similar situations. The primary goal is to create a sustainable, comfortable living space that is accessible and feasible with low-tech construction methods.
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