- Project: R+J House
- Architect: DP+HS Architects
- Location: Indonesia, Jakarta
- Year: 2021
- Area: 1200 m2
- Photography: Don Pieto
Tucked into a quiet green corner of a gated community in Jakarta, Indonesia, the R+J House by DP+HS Architects is a sculptural exploration of space, light, and modern art. Completed in 2021, this 12,916-square-foot residence was designed for a young family with a deep appreciation for contemporary art, resulting in a home that is part gallery, part sanctuary, and part architectural experience.
A Spatial Journey Shaped by Raumplan
Central to the house’s design is the raumplan principle—a spatial strategy that organizes volume through staggered levels rather than a conventional floor plan. This approach allows for fluid transitions between living spaces, and a layered verticality that enhances interaction between rooms while preserving visual openness.
Every space revolves around a central atrium, which acts as the core of the house. The floating staircase—a visual and physical anchor—spirals through this core, choreographing how inhabitants experience the architecture. The void reaches all the way to the skylight above, filling the interior with daylight and connecting the multiple levels into a 360-degree living canvas.
Architecture in Dialogue with Contemporary Art
With the client’s collection of distinctive contemporary art as a driving force, the architects treated every room as a potential exhibition space. Artworks are placed throughout the home—not as centerpieces, but as discoveries—emerging naturally along paths of movement, across eye levels, and around unexpected corners.
This spatial strategy blurs the line between art and architecture, making the act of circulation itself an act of curation.
Indoor–Outdoor Continuity
At the ground level, the atrium opens horizontally toward the 15-meter-wide, column-free façade that frames views of the swimming pool and surrounding garden. The entire façade dissolves into sliding glass, turning the outdoors into an extension of the home’s interior.
From narrow transitional zones to expansive sightlines, the procession through the home is cinematic and serene. Even the main entrance plays on perception—it is subtly placed and partially obscured, emphasizing the idea that one must discover the home, just as one discovers the art inside.
Material Subtlety and Monumental Volume
While grand in spatial intent, the materials are restrained and refined:
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Polished concrete, timber, and steel offer contrast without excess
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Large-format glazing enhances openness and light diffusion
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Custom lighting ensures artwork is both visible and integrated into daily life
Every detail reflects a balance between monumental scale and residential intimacy.
Conclusion: A House Where Movement Becomes Meaning
The R+J House by DP+HS Architects is not just a home—it is a multi-sensory experience that merges theater, architecture, and personal expression. Through its use of vertical spatial planning, atrium-centric design, and contextual awareness, the project transforms the simple act of living into an unfolding narrative of art and form.
