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Kampong House: The Allure of Indonesia’s Urban Village Life

Kampong House: The Allure of Indonesia’s Urban Village Life

/ Cimahi, Indonesia /

/ Story: Nawapat Dusdul / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Mario Wibowo /

For an Indonesian family, life in an urban kampong is a beautiful journey. Aquino Krishadi and Elis Rosmiati lived for some time in a medium-density urban village. The positive feeling that they cherished was brought with them as they moved into their new home in Cimahi, roughly ten minutes’ drive from Bandung Metropolis in West Java.

Kampong House

The chic new home is designed by Ismail Solehudin, of Ismail Solehudin Architecture. Reflecting the Indonesian kampong experience, the siding materials that enclose and divide interior living spaces are made of rigid PVC sheets mixed with brick masonry. It’s a creative way to build, plus it provides excellent toughness and good moisture resistance.

The term kampongs, also spelled kampoongs, or kampungs, refers to traditional villages with stilt houses in the Indonesian archipelago.

Made for living green in a small space, the new dwelling is aptly named “Kampoong-In-House” for its character and real certain appeal of village life that provides the architect and the family with invaluable inspiration. In essence it’s an intriguing combination of features with rooms and a network of passageways beautifully fitting together in a house plan.

Kampong House

Sharing his points of view, Ismail said that the design was based on the client’s experience from having lived in an urban village, plus their interest in a sustainable way of living, albeit in a small space.

To comply with the family’s wishes, he translated their ideas into a coherent distribution of masses and expertly crafted a house plan capable of bringing many benefits, including convenient and safe exterior and interior traffic patterns.

Kampong House

Kampong House

Kampong House

The front of the house features an eclectic mix of items and decorations ubiquitous among urban kampongs across Indonesia. They include different textures and materials that come together in an untidy way like a picture of a village scene.

Among them are ornaments such as window box planters, skylights, garden areas and unfilled spaces in the wall that drive natural ventilation keeping the interior living spaces cool and comfortable.

Kampong House

Kampong House

Commenting on a hybrid of brickwork and PVC sheets, Ismail said that PVC is strong and durable, which explains why it’s one of the most widely used thermoplastic polymers worldwide. Here, it’s used on the façade to protect against damage from too much sun and rain.

Meantime, exposed brick walls provide great opportunities to experiment with various textures and patterns. The break in the wall allows fresh air to enter and circulate inside, a perfect solution for houses in a Tropical climate.

Kampong House

Kampong House

Walk in the door, and you come to an open concept common area with greenery that’s the essential part of the house plan. It conveniently connects to a plant-filled living room, kitchen, and a large backyard garden.

In all places, unfilled spaces in the wall and green areas create microclimates that differ from those in the surrounding areas. Plus, they allow natural light and improve air circulation at the same time.

Kampong House

Kampong House

Kampong House

Kampong House

Kampong House

Bedrooms are slightly hidden from view, cocooned in a comfortable location. They are reachable via an interior corridor lined with functions that serve practical purposes, among them a bar table and a few bookshelves.

Kampong House

Kampong House

All things considered, it’s a chic contemporary home thoughtfully devised to promote social interactions among family members without intruding into the lives of one another. At the same time, it’s made for a lifestyle that tries to reduce the use of natural resources.

The message is clear. Living sustainably in an urban kampong is more than just helping the environment. It’s also a way to bring people back in time and experience the Indonesian way of life like it’s always been.

Kampong House

Kampong House

Kampong House

Kampong House

The House Plan & Section Courtesy of Ismail Solehudin Architecture


Architect: Ismail Solehudin of Ismail Solehudin Architecture


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Baan Lek Villa: A House-Cum-Homestay in Chanthaburi

Baan Lek Villa: A House-Cum-Homestay in Chanthaburi

/ Chanthaburi, Thailand /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

This is a stilt house design where the contemporary style merges with rural vernacular in Chanthaburi. It’s built on the concept of home with a dual nature – a villa-cum-homestay. The design pays particular attention to the simple life and harmony with the surroundings, plus good positioning in relation to light and wind patterns makes it more comfortable to live.

Baan Lek Villa is the work of “KaewRinrada Nirote, homeowner and architect at GLA DESIGN STUDIO, in collaboration with designer Pitch Nimchinda. It’s intended to accommodate her family, house guests and friends of her mother (“LekKuna Nirote).

Baan Lek Villa GLA DESIGN STUDIO

Rinrada came to Bangkok to further her studies and has worked there since graduation. Little by little it dawned on her that building a new house in her native Chanthaburi would be a good idea.

It would give her a place to stay and a small office away from the city. She wanted a design that looked simple yet attractive, kept within the budget, and blended into the community.

Baan Lek Villa GLA DESIGN STUDIO Baan Lek Villa GLA DESIGN STUDIO

The result is a home that merges with the surrounding countryside. Simple house design offers two distinctly different zones – private and public areas.

The living space is raised up on piles, while the ample multi-use area underneath it is meant for dining and receiving guests.

Baan Lek Villa GLA DESIGN STUDIO Baan Lek Villa GLA DESIGN STUDIO

Sharing her slice of paradise, Rinrada says that nowadays more people are yearning for a simple way of living. Advances in technology have made it possible for us live anywhere and still be able to work. What we need is a case for carrying clothes and a few personal belongings, plus a portable computer.

Even better if you have a place of your choice that helps you relax in nature. Intended to make our breaks truly refreshing in the countryside, this house was complete only recently. So far it has received many guests and friends of her mother and brother.

“We didn’t intend to make it a family business. I was into hotel designing to begin with. Now that I have a house of my own, Mom has invited her friends over. They loved it and spread the good word. So we thought the time was ripe to provide the accommodation of guests. It’s important that they get to experience the relaxing side of Chantaburi town,” she said.

Baan Lek Villa GLA DESIGN STUDIOBaan Lek Villa GLA DESIGN STUDIO Baan Lek Villa GLA DESIGN STUDIO

What makes this house unique is the architectural detail that’s right for the climate of Thailand.

The design takes into account seasonal variations, such as sunlight and wind patterns, to create a comfortable environment. Rinrada got the inspiration for the multi-use ground floor from “Have you eaten yet?” a traditional expression of goodwill that Thais say as a sign of welcome.

This explains why a dining table set and kitchen counter are there. The area doubles as waiting room for people who drop by for a visit just like old times.

Walk up the stairs and you come to a more private area of the house, which consists of a large balcony and main living quarters.

Overall, the building is made of concrete that works well with beautiful wood accents. To make the building appear lightweight, the entire floor of the overhanging balcony is made of steel framework.

Taken as a whole, it’s a perfect mix of concrete, steel and clever design that lets the beauty of natural wood stand out.

Baan Lek Villa GLA DESIGN STUDIO

For an aesthetic appeal, the ground floor is covered to some extent by eggshell pebble pavers that seamlessly connect with the surrounding landscape. The garden sits in the shade for much of the day thanks to the house being positioned on the western side of land.

The fact that it’s located in the further reach also leaves plenty of extra room available for future projects. For the time being, Rinrada intends to turn the front yard into an ample garden filled with large trees, shrubs and natural light.

Baan Lek Villa GLA DESIGN STUDIO

Most importantly, Rinrada says it’s the understanding of the context that sets the main idea about good house design. Appropriate orientation involves more than just the sun’s path or seasonal wind patterns. Every little detail must be taken into account.

This modest home is designed to blend with the environment and other key attributes that have made Chanthaburi town famous. It merges with rural vernacular and sprawling fruit orchards. It’s built of material that’s available locally, reclaimed lumber included.

All told, it’s one that stands in perfect harmony with the community.


Owner: Rinrada Nirote

Architect: GLA Design Studio


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