Nuswa Bhuvana: Biophilic Design for Regenerative Public Housing in Marunda | Architecture Thesis

Site Context

Rusunawa Marunda was established as a relocation site to support coal port infrastructure. The area is home to a low-income community, where most residents make their living as traders, farmers, and fishermen. Despite living modestly, the people of Marunda once enjoyed a fulfilling life supported by strong community bonds. 

However, the relocation and the operation of the coal port have led to severe environmental degradation, particularly air pollution. This pollution has caused widespread illness, crop failure, the death of aquatic species, and the loss of local livelihoods. Today, Rusunawa Marunda is classified as one of the red zones for coal pollution, posing an alarming threat to public health and increasing mortality risks. Addressing this pollution has become an urgent necessity.

Design Process

The central concept of the design revolves around the integration of up to 45 permaculture species, implemented through biophilic architectural principles. Permaculture serves as a sustainable agricultural system aimed at enhancing environmental quality. Beyond permaculture and biophilic design, the project also utilizes photocatalytic materials and a SMOG Free Purifier system. Photocatalytic materials, created from recycled components mixed with photocatalyst compounds, have the ability to absorb and neutralize coal pollutants under ultraviolet light. The SMOG Free Purifier, a technology developed in China, is capable of removing up to 95% of airborne pollutants. The collected dust particles are then repurposed into coal-based compost fertilizer.

The architectural scheme employs a combination of solid and void spaces along with varied floor levels to optimize the integration of permaculture and biophilic elements. This approach allows the building mass to evolve from the existing rusunawa typology while responding sensitively to the site analysis and environmental context.

Final Outcome

To promote a healthier living environment in the low-cost rental apartments (rusunawa), the first floor is primarily dedicated to green spaces, including areas for farming, gardens, mangroves, waterfronts, and fishing. A central promenade, anchored by an amphitheater, connects these spaces and links residents to other clusters, creating a hub for various activities.

Beyond serving as housing, the rusunawa is equipped with a range of facilities, including food stalls, early childhood education centers (PAUD), a community hall, a prayer room (Mushola), sports fields, workspaces, communal areas, and home terraces. These functions are distributed across the site to form a continuously evolving ecosystem. A public area, Marunda Commercial, serves as a community center with a central food market, Marunda Culinary, a Batik shop, a fertilizer store, and other amenities.

Each residential unit includes a home terrace, a feature rooted in Betawi culture traditionally used as a main activity space. In this design, the home terrace functions as a communal area for residents, integrated on every floor. It accommodates a variety of activities such as community gatherings, food stalls, youth hangouts, playgrounds, and smoking areas. These terraces are interconnected across the building clusters, fostering a cohesive ecosystem.

The facade design incorporates multiple types of planters integrated into the building envelope. These planters support the project’s permaculture and biophilic principles, introducing greenery at multiple levels and enhancing the overall ecological quality of the housing.

Conclusion: Ultimately, Nuswa Bhuvana transforms Rusunawa Marunda into a healthy, resilient community by combining green design, permaculture, and pollution-reducing technologies, fostering strong social, cultural, and ecological connections.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]