FOR FOCUS ISSUE ; INTERIOR DESIGNS -- MAcrh 28

FOR FOCUS ISSUE ; INTERIOR DESIGNS -- MAcrh 28

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Home-interior-layout

Latest trends: Simple, compact and more flexible

Debbie A. Lubis
Contributor
Jakarta

The shift toward urban living has had its impact on home
design. Many housing experts believe that, with exposure to
modern lifestyles and economic hardship, Indonesian homes will
see a growing trend toward simple and compact layouts.

This trend is gaining ground since it focuses on affordable
housing and allows for maximum flexibility in domestic room
arrangement.

Architect Edwin Sahdie said that people's social, cultural and
educational background influences the way they arrange the
rooms in their homes.

In addition, factors such as the homeowner's financial
situation, needs, habits and lifestyle also determine the number
and size of rooms. "Peoples preferences differ, from one to
another. Those with a modern, practical lifestyle seek quality in
the rooms instead of having many rooms," he said.

Edwin said homeowners have now begun to demolish the walls
that separate the dining room from the kitchen, thereby creating
an open, flowing space in which the family room and dining room
coalesce. It can function as a place for sitting, for activities,
or as a terrace.

"This simple, solid layout promotes principles of
openness and unity," he said.

Halistya Pramana, managing director of Vinoti Living, said
that the merger of several rooms is possible today, especially in
a dwelling whose floorspace is less than 100 sq m, like an
apartment. "A trend that promotes practicality is suitable to the
changing lifestyle of modern Indonesian society, especially those
living in Jakarta.

They tend to adopt minimalist styling, either ethnic-
minimalist, classic-minimalist, or modern-minimalist, so they can
save money."

Combining a living room with a family room, a dining room with
a kitchen or a study with a bedroom is an effective way of saving
space in a house or apartment. Buying multifunctional furniture
has also become popular.

"A sofa that can function as a bed is much in demand because
it can transform a living room into family room or bedroom if
there are unexpected guests who would like to spend a night."

Lecturer at the University of Indonesia architecture
department Sonny Sutanto said that home layout is not a matter of
fashion because "tailor-made" homes tend to have their own
uniqueness. The massive flow of information and financial status
shape differing perspectives and expectations of homeowners, not
their needs.

When homeowners plan to make cuts, usually the living room is
the first to go. Sonny admitted that there is a tendency for the
living room to fade away and be replaced by a "foyer" -- an open
space with chairs and roof at the front of the house. "Surely,
this reflects the busy life of urban people," he added.

The living room, however, is no longer a part of the house for
guests only, since it can be located inside the house, in a bid
to create a more friendly and private atmosphere.

According to Edwin, a service quarter like a kitchen can be
relocated to the front of a house as a buffer for other rooms
that require more privacy, and even improve safety.

"The kitchen is not always located at the back of the house as
it can also function as a place for chatting with guests before
sitting down to dinner," said Halistya.

Today's kitchen can be transformed into a more attractive site
with the presence of modern appliances such as microwave cookers,
etc.

Technological advancement has also prompted people to build
space for their computer, stereo, large-screen television, CD
player, home satellite system and video games. A room for audio-
visual media appears in most modern homes. Edwin said that
nowadays, most houses in the 600 square meter (sq m) to 700 sq m
category have a dedicated room for audio-video or mini home
theater.

It is also a zone for browsing the Internet, watching
television, conducting business or even eating and drinking.

Halistya said that the so-termed Gen-X and Gen-Y (young
generation) were very familiar with using electronic gadgetry.
"They often use a laptop or desktop computer until late at night.
If they do not have special place for it in the home, they will
do their work on the bed."

Fast-paced lifestyles indeed cause people to embrace the idea
of making their home not only a dwelling place but also a place
that can offer the convenience and cozy atmosphere of a second
home.

"They dream of being able to rest in a villa without having to
go out of town, and this affects the way they lay out the
home," Sonny said.

To realize such dreams, people start to limit the size of
rooms, creating open spaces that link in to other rooms to afford
access to nice views of the small garden and provide good
circulation of fresh air and sunlight. "There are no unlit areas
in the house anymore that can cause smelly, moldy areas."

To accentuate the modern, simple style of the home, Edwin
suggested the use of natural colors such as cream, gray and earth
tones. Such monochromatic color can be supported by natural
materials.

"For this particular style, it is taboo to use bright colors.
They are usually employed only to emphasize the features of a
building. However, it is essential for Mediterranean style to use
contrast and bright colors."

According to Halistya, contrast colors such as reds, yellows,
and greens are used during summer in the West but for Indonesian
homes, such colors will simply create a hot ambience.

"Color trends change quarterly, in accordance with the seasons
in Western countries. It's better if Indonesian homes use
contrast and bright colors purely to give accent to interior
accessories, such as cushions, flowers, and other things, but not
for walls or other furniture."

Sonny, however, considered the influence of "Moie" color with
coffee-brown had taken its toll because it had been used in so
many projects.

"The tendency toward rainbow colors has already begun but of
course will not last much longer as people's preferences will
change once the style is overused. It also depends on the
architect; I personally favor a colorful house since our bright
nature gives us the ability to enjoy many colors appropriately."